Nature reserves, nature parks & European protected areas
Protected areas can pursue different objectives: The protection of a location, the protection of endangered habitats and animals, the preservation of unique natural relics or the protection of centuries-old trees.
Experience the protected natural jewels in the Attersee-Attergau region! Discover the Venus Trap among the nature reserves, learn about a special relict - the natural and unspoilt piece of primeval forest shore or explore mysterious moors.
Protected areas at provincial & European level
There are three different national categories of protected areas in Upper Austria: Nature reserves, landscape conservation areas and protected landscape areas. Nature parks are a special form of protected landscape area.
In addition to the provincial level, there are also protected areas at European level. Several categories of protected areas in Austria are designated as European protected areas with the aim of permanently safeguarding Europe's natural habitats. These are essentially areas in the European Union's Natura 2000 network of protected areas for the protection of biotopes and species.
Nature reserves & natural jewel on Lake Attersee
European nature reserve Attersee - Natura 2000
Pearlfish and sea bass
An area of over 6000 hectares of Lake Mondsee and Lake Attersee was designated a NATURA 2000 protected area by the EU in 2006. The reasons why this area was declared a European protected area include pearlfish and sea pigeons. The pearlfish is a highly endangered carp fish. It is only rarely found in Europe. The most vital stocks in the whole of Europe can be found in Lake Attersee and Lake Mondsee. The sea lion is still relatively common in Lake Mondsee and Lake Attersee, but has not been found in Lake Traunsee. Both fish live in deep waters. At the Weyregg Aquarium, endangered fish such as the pearlfish and the sea lily can be observed, as well as the measures taken in the Mondsee and Attersee European nature reserves.
Where does the pearlfish get its name from?
The pearlfish owes its name to the typical spawning rash of the males. Largely on the head and back, amber-coloured bumps, about the size of a grain of rice, form, which give them their name and look like small pearls.
Attersee-Traunsee Nature Park
The special cultural and natural landscape between Lake Attersee and Lake Traunsee was recognised as the third and largest nature park in Upper Austria in 2012. It connects the two lakes with a very varied mountain and valley landscape.
For inquisitive nature lovers, knowledgeable experts offer a large number of different nature adventure tours, exploring the world of herbs and plants or life in the forest and water. A treat for body, mind and soul. Discover this fascinating landscape and the delicious Zwetschkenreich® and experience the Attersee-Traunsee Nature Park with all your senses.
Farmland Nature Park
In addition to the Attersee-Traunsee Nature Park, there has been another nature park since September 2021, which also includes Unterach am Attersee: the Bauernland Nature Park. This means that there are now two nature parks in the Attersee-Attergau region.
The nature park in the judicial district of Mondsee covers an area of around 208 km2. It includes the municipalities of Oberhofen am Irrsee, Tiefgraben Zell am Moos, Mondsee, St. Lorenz, Innerschwand am Mondsee, Oberwang and Unterach am Attersee.
Mountaineering village Steinbach am Attersee
Mountaineering villages are an exciting initiative for the protection of the Alps. Steinbach am Attersee is one of the villages recognised as a mountaineering village.
These endeavour to promote gentle Alpine tourism, the preservation of unspoilt nature and harmony between nature and people.
29 communities in Austria, South Tyrol, Italy, Germany and Slovenia have so far been awarded the title of Mountaineering Village. One of the required criteria is the absence of ascent aids.
The mountaineering villages are the result of a project organised by the Alpine associations. They support the protection of the Alps and sustainable development in the entire Alpine region.
