Kalkalpen National Park protects the last big forest wilderness of Austria, with the longest natural stream system in the Eastern Alps. Here, nature is the top priority. Colourful natural forests, crystal-clear mountain streams and enchanting alpine pastures provide habitats for an extraordinary diversity of animals and plants. Rare and endangered species, such as the lynx, have returned to the wild forest of Kalkalpen National Park and found a place to live.
The National Park was established on 25th July 1997 with a total area of 210 km². It contains 200 kilometres of natural streams and 800 springs. 81 % of the National Park are covered by forests, 8 % by dwarf pine, 6 % by alpine pasture and 5 % by rock formations. 50 mammals, including 17 bat species, and 80 breeding birds, including 6 woodpecker species have been identified. 1,000 flowering plants, among them 42 wild orchid species and 1,500 butterflies – the highest number in Austria - can be found in the area. The oldest beech forest in the whole alpine region can be found in the Kalkalpen. The main types of rock are limestone and primary dolomite. The elevation lies between 385 m and 1,963 m a.s.l.. The park has an enormous variety of beetles species, among them 22 primeval forest relict species such as rosalia longicorn beetle and Austrian-wood borer and unique cave beetle species.