Facts about the Föhrenberge Nature Park

The 6,600-hectare Föhrenberge Nature Park thrives on its contrasts and transitions: gentle hills give way to steep slopes and rugged rock faces, such as those at the Mödlinger Klause, sun-drenched habitats such as the dry grasslands of the pasturelands, the expansive wine-growing landscape with stone walls and embankments, and sparse black pine and oak forests give way to cool, damp woodland ditches with beech forests. Together, they form an exceptionally diverse landscape and create a closely interwoven mosaic of habitats.

Today’s diversity is no accident: it is the result of an interplay between nature and human activity that has developed over millennia. Traditional farming practices such as viticulture, extensive grazing and haymaking have shaped this valuable cultural landscape. Today, the nature park is actively committed to preserving these habitats and developing them with care. At the same time, the region offers a wide range of opportunities to experience nature first-hand, find peace and quiet, and enjoy sustainable recreation.

On the Perchtoldsdorfer Heide alone – a biodiversity hotspot within the Föhrenberge Nature Park – over 1,200 butterfly species have been recorded – an impressive proportion of the approximately 4,000 species found in Austria.  This figure highlights the high ecological quality of the habitats, as butterflies are particularly sensitive to changes and are regarded as important indicators of an intact natural environment.

Sunny dry grasslands, nutrient-poor meadows and hilltops in particular offer ideal conditions: here, the butterflies find nectar, suitable places to lay their eggs and food plants for their caterpillars. Through targeted management, grazing and nature conservation measures, efforts are being made to preserve and enhance these sensitive habitats – both as habitats for numerous specialised species and as a nature experience for visitors.

Stretching from Kaltenleutgeben to Gumpoldskirchen, and from Mödling to the municipality of Wienerwald, the Föhrenberge Nature Park encompasses eleven dedicated nature park municipalities.  With around 85,000 residents, the nature park is one of the most populous nature parks in Austria. This makes the close cooperation between the municipalities all the more important: it forms the basis for the nature park’s development and enables joint projects in the areas of nature conservation, environmental education, sustainable tourism and regional development. A visible sign of this cooperation is the Nature Park Charter, signed in 2025, which underlines the shared commitment to the protection and future-oriented development of the region.

The nature park municipalities that share the nature park’s land area are Kaltenleutgeben, Perchtoldsdorf, Brunn am Gebirge, Maria Enzersdorf, Gießhübl, Hinterbrühl, Mödling, Gumpoldskirchen, Guntramsdorf, Wienerwald and Gaaden. Five further municipalities in the surrounding area – Laab im Walde, Achau, Biedermannsdorf, Vösendorf and Wiener Neudorf – are also members of the nature park. Together, all these municipalities contribute to preserving the nature park region as a valuable habitat for both nature and people.

With a population of more than 84,000, the nature park also faces a major challenge: how can the pressure of human use be reconciled with the protection and long-term conservation of nature?
Every walk, every mountain bike ride and every leisure activity undertaken by the public also has an impact on the natural environment. At the same time, the nature park offers these people a valuable break and a chance to relax – thereby promoting physical and mental well-being, providing educational opportunities and the chance to experience biodiversity at first hand. Striking a balance between careful, responsible use and the preservation of species-rich natural and cultural landscapes – which also form the basis of people’s livelihoods – therefore requires careful planning and visitor management, sustainable facilities, and intensive awareness-raising among young and old alike regarding their responsibility towards flora, fauna and historic landscapes.