Föhrenberge Nature Park

The diverse landscape of the Föhrenberge Nature Park is perfect for walking, cycling, nature watching and simply enjoying the surroundings.
A variety of trails offer picturesque views, places to rest and unique opportunities to observe nature, making every visit a special experience of the natural world. There are plenty of huts and wine taverns where you can stop for refreshments.

Some of the most beautiful walking routes

Those who prefer to actively experience the natural and cultural landscape together can take part in a wide range of events. These range from nature walks and guided tours with nature guides, through to family activities and joint nature conservation projects. 

To the events

The Föhrenberge Nature Park in Lower Austria is easily accessible by public transport thanks to its location on the Südbahn railway line and the many bus services available. There are numerous starting points to make your journey easier – see the‘Getting Here & Transport’ section for details.

When visiting the Föhrenberge Nature Park, you, as a visitor, have a responsibility to protect nature and wildlife, and to ensure the safety of all those seeking recreation. Please therefore note:

• Respect nature: Mountain biking on unpaved terrain damages vegetation and habitats, leads to erosion and causes stress to wildlife. Stay on authorised paths and observe seasonal and night-time riding restrictions. Do not climb near protected plant sites or bird nesting sites during the breeding season.
• Do not disturb wildlife: Keep your distance from wild animals, whether large or small – particularly whilst they are feeding, during the mating season, and in the presence of young animals or pregnant females. Approaching quietly and quickly causes stress.
• Keep dogs on a lead: Dogs can chase or injure wildlife. Keeping dogs on a lead protects animals and other visitors.
• Don’t leave rubbish behind: Rubbish endangers animals and people and spoils the experience of nature. Take your rubbish away with you.
• Dispose of dog waste in the bin: Dog waste poses a health risk to grazing animals, acts as unwanted fertiliser in many habitats, and who wants to step in a ‘surprise’? Dispose of it in a bag in the bin.
• Do not throw away cigarette ends: Cigarette ends contain large amounts of toxins and, if carelessly discarded, can quickly cause forest fires. Use a pocket ashtray or dispose of them in the nearest bin once they have been reliably extinguished.
• In an emergency: In the event of an alpine emergency, call the alpine emergency number 140 or the European emergency number 112.

This is how you can help to sustainably preserve the Föhrenberge Nature Park as a valuable natural and recreational area for people and animals.

See the nature park rules

The Föhrenberge Nature Park combines an exceptionally species-rich and diverse natural environment with a cultural landscape that has developed over thousands of years, in a unique location south of the city of Vienna. 
The convergence of the Alpine and Pannonian regions, as well as natural and man-made landscapes, makes the Föhrenberge Nature Park one of the most species-rich areas in Austria. Characteristic features include sparse pine and deciduous forests, vineyards, traditional pastureland, dry grasslands and nutrient-poor meadows, which together form a diverse landscape teeming with life.

Numerous well-maintained paths make the nature park accessible to many people – as a place for exercise, tranquillity and a mindful experience of nature. Despite its immediate proximity to a major city with a population of over 2 million, the Föhrenberge Nature Park is a biodiversity hotspot of great natural and recreational value, where people and nature can coexist harmoniously provided they behave responsibly.

A nature park is a cultural landscape shaped by human activity, the diversity of which is to be preserved through nature-friendly and sustainable use. It combines conservation, recreation, education and regional development, and serves as a model region for sustainability. 

The Föhrenberge Nature Park focuses its projects on these four pillars of nature parks. 

Conservation
: Through projects such as combating the invasive Chinese toon tree in the Föhrenberge Nature Park, collaboration with local authorities and organisations on landscape conservation work in the distinctive hay meadow and dry grassland areas, projects to connect habitats, and the conservation of special species such as the European ground squirrel, the nature park is committed to preserving its characteristic habitats and species.

Recreation
The Föhrenberge Nature Park serves as a living and recreational space for thousands of people, offering tranquillity and the chance to experience nature. By maintaining nature-friendly paths, installing signposts and information boards, and providing litter bins and benches, the nature park, together with local authorities and landowners, offers visitor guidance and infrastructure that supports and facilitates nature-friendly recreation. 

Education
Nature and environmental education are particularly close to the heart of the Föhrenberge Nature Park, and the focus is especially on the youngest members of society, with the aim of fostering enthusiasm and awareness for the nature on their doorstep, its value and its protection. The nature park therefore works closely with educational institutions in the nature park’s local authorities and organises annual nature park days for all Year 3 classes in primary schools. Six educational institutions have already been accredited as ‘Nature Park Schools’ or ‘Nature Park Nurseries’ and work even more closely with the Nature Park as part of this partnership. 

Regional
Development The Nature Park collaborates with regional businesses operating sustainably to support both local producers and land management practices that help preserve the valuable cultural landscapes. In 2025, the first ‘Nature Park Speciality Business’ was awarded this status – with more to follow.