Entering off the beaten path is forbidden.
Description & Map
Summary
The Donau-Auen National Park preserves the last large floodplain landscape in Central Europe over an area of more than 9,600 hectares. It stretches across the federal states of Vienna and Lower Austria. When it was founded in 1996, this natural jewel was placed under international protection. Since then, flora and fauna have been able to develop here free from economic constraints. The protected area can be visited for walking, hiking and cycling and admission is free. However, the applicable legal regulations must be respected, including the requirement to use paths. It is not permitted to leave the marked hiking trails and designated cycle routes. The first place for visitors to go is the schlossORTH National Park Center in Orth an der Donau. Information point, excursion destination and event location all under one roof. Guided tours with a ranger can also be booked here.
Description
The Donau-Auen National Park preserves the last large river floodplain landscape in Central Europe, covering an area of more than 9,600 hectares. It extends across the provinces of Vienna and Lower Austria. With its establishment in 1996, this natural jewel was placed under sustainable international protection. Since then, fauna and flora have been able to flourish here free from economic constraints. The first port of call for visitors is the National Park Centre in Orth Castle on the Danube. The booking and information office, excursion destination and event venue can all be found under one roof here. Guided excursions with national park rangers are also a popular attraction. For individual visits, the national park can be visited for walking, hiking and cycling, and there is no admission fee. However, the applicable legal regulations regarding nature conservation and consideration for other guests must be observed. In addition to the well-marked network of hiking trails, the protected area also offers a range of approved cycle paths. These can be distinguished from the hiking trails by their green markings and must not be left. Dogs are allowed on a leash, and mindful visitors should take their rubbish home with them and dispose of it themselves. Camping and lighting fires are prohibited, as is the use of drones. At nightfall, leisure activities in the area must be stopped and visitors must wait until dawn the next morning, for the benefit of nocturnal animals.
General information
| Location | Austria - Lower Austria, Vienna - Bruck an der Leitha, Gänserndorf, Wien(Stadt) |
| Website | https://www.donauauen.at/ |
| Area | 73.54km² |
| Year of foundation | 1997 |
| IUCN Category | II |
| DtP ID | 847e8b5e-a1d1-4649-a301-9c3ecd4c53a4 |
Responsible organizations
| Name and division |
Nationalpark Donau-Auen GmbH
|
| Website | http://www.donauauen.at |
| Address |
Show address Hide address
Schlossplatz 1
A-2304 Orth an der Donau Austria |
Gallery
Wildlife
Fauna
Seeadler
Flora
Schwarz-Pappel
Flora
Helm-Knabenkraut
Fauna
Europäische Sumpfschildkröte
Fauna
Eisvogel
Rules
Entry behavior
Cycling activities
Cycling is only allowed on designated paths.
ATTENTION: Cycling is not permitted in the national park between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise (Management plan 2019 - 2028, p.61).
Snow activities
Cross-country skiing is forbidden on designated cross-country ski trails at night.
Cross-country skiing is permitted in the national park between one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset. The creation of cross-country ski trails is not permitted (see Management Plan 2019 - 2028, p. 63)
Horse riding activities
Horse riding is forbidden.
Motorized activities
Motor vehicles are forbidden.
Excluding authorised persons.
Water activities
Non-motorized watercraft are forbidden.
Designated side arms may be navigated with non-motorized boats, but the banks may not be entered. Landing and entering the banks is permitted on certain sections of the Danube bank, see Waterway Traffic Regulations. In addition, the national park administration can temporarily close side arms in the event of nature conservation measures and/or flood or low water events (Management Plan 2019- 2028, p. 63).
Motorized watercraft are forbidden.
Motorized boats are generally not permitted on the side arms. On those banks of the Danube where visitors are permitted to enter from the water and via land (see Waterway Traffic Regulations), landing for motorized boats is also permitted (Management Plan 2019 - 2028, p.62-63).
Water sports with swimming aids are forbidden.
Diving is forbidden.
Mountain activities
Climbing is forbidden.
Stay activities
Camping is forbidden.
Air activities
Air sport (starting and landing) is forbidden.
Drones and model aircraft are forbidden.
Prohibition applies below a flight altitude of 500 m above ground (Lower Austrian National Park Act, §5).
General behavior
Disposing of waste is forbidden.
Fire is forbidden.
Dogs on a leash are allowed.
Cutting or injuring trees is forbidden.
Collecting plants is forbidden.
The removal of natural materials (picking flowers, mushrooms, berries, nuts, river pebbles, etc.) for personal use does not constitute interference within the meaning of the national park laws. Use for commercial purposes is not permitted. Strictly protected plants may not be collected (Management Plan 2019-2028, p. 64).
Mushroom collecting is forbidden.
The removal of natural materials (picking flowers, mushrooms, berries, nuts, river pebbles, etc.) for personal use does not constitute interference within the meaning of the national park laws. Use for commercial purposes is not permitted. Strictly protected plants may not be collected (Management Plan 2019-2028, p. 64).
Collecting minerals and fossils is forbidden.
The removal of natural materials (picking flowers, mushrooms, berries, nuts, river pebbles, etc.) for personal use does not constitute interference within the meaning of the national park laws. Use for commercial purposes is not permitted. Strictly protected plants may not be collected (Management Plan 2019-2028, p. 64).
Feeding animals is forbidden.
Fishing is forbidden.
Exception from the prohibition by acquiring a fishing license from the authorities responsible for fishing in waters designated for fishing, see explanations in the Management Plan 2019 -2028 p. 64 fl.
Swimming is forbidden.
On those bank areas of the Danube and at the natural bathing areas shown on the maps, where visitors are permitted to enter from the water and via the land (see Waterways Traffic Regulations), bathing is also permitted as a common use of a public body of water in accordance with $ 8 (Water Rights Act) in accordance with the natural conditions available to everyone at their own risk (Management Plan 2019 - 2028, p.62).
Photography and filming is forbidden.
Prohibition of commercial use and/or the construction of shelters, hiding places for camouflage, etc.
Noise (tape recorders, players) is forbidden.
It is forbidden to create noise that is detrimental to the natural environment.
Legal documents
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Donau-Auen National Park Management Plan 2019-2028
Nationalpark Donau-Auen GmbH
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Lower Austrian National Park Act
Land Niederösterreich - Jan. 1, 1996
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Decree of the Federal Minister for Transport, Innovation and Technology concerning a Waterways Traffic Ordinance (WVO)
Bundesrecht Österreich - Feb. 1, 2019
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Ordinance on the Danube Floodplain National Park
Land Niederösterreich - Jan. 1, 1997