Donau-Auen National Park: Floodplain Walk from Orth Castle
Wild river landscape between Vienna and Bratislava
FamilyNiederösterreichPhoto: Anton-kurt, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Duration
- 2.5 hours
- Languages
- German, English
This private nature walk in the Donau-Auen National Park starts at Orth Castle and leads into one of the last large river floodplains in Central Europe. You see floodplain forest, backwaters and a landscape that people once saved from a power plant.
Between Vienna and the Slovak border, the Danube still flows freely for about 36 kilometers. Its floodplains with forests, gravel banks and side arms are home to beavers, white-tailed eagles, kingfishers, pond turtles and countless insects.
The landscape survives thanks to a citizens' movement. In 1984 thousands of people occupied the Hainburger Au to stop a Danube power plant from being built. It was a turning point for nature conservation in Austria, and the national park was founded in 1996.
Orth Castle houses a visitor center with an exhibition and an underwater observation station. Your guide leads you on trails through the floodplain forest, shows signs of beavers and explains how floods keep renewing the wetland.
Highlights
- One of Central Europe's last great river floodplains
- Beavers, white-tailed eagles and kingfishers
- The 1984 occupation of the Hainburger Au
- Visitor center in Orth Castle
- Trails through wild floodplain forest
The route
-
1Orth Castle
Start at the national park center.
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2Castle island
Underwater views and wetland animals.
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3Floodplain forest
A walk on nature trails.
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4Backwater
Still waters and beaver signs.
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5Danube bank
Finish by the free-flowing river.
Who this tour is for
For nature lovers, families with kids from about six and birdwatchers.
Frequently asked questions
Are entrance fees included?
No, entrance fees are never included in the tour price. When you book, we are happy to tell you which admissions apply to your group.
How is the price calculated?
This is a private tour for your group only. The price is per group, not per person, which makes it great value for families and friends traveling together.
What is the best season?
In spring the wetland comes alive and birds nest, in autumn the forest glows yellow and gold. In summer we recommend insect repellent.
