© Foto: TVB Attersee-Attergau, Moritz Ablinger: Paar am Steg
Mann und Frau in Tracht sitzen an einem gedeckten Tisch am Steg und prosten sich mit Weißwein zu.
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Sweet Chestnut Forest - Integral nature reserve

Unterach am Attersee, Oberösterreich, Österreich
  • pets allowed
  • All weather
  • Suitable for groups
  • Suitable for kids (all ages)

Sweet chestnut forest - nature reserve since 1989
The origins of the sweet chestnut forest in Unterach am Attersee is a mystery. It is possible that it is a cultural relic from the Roman or Carolingian period, when viticulture was once practiced here. Some sources, however, suspect it to be a plantation from the 18th century, which has been cultivated until today. In no other area north of the Alps, except in Unterach am Attersee, does the sweet chestnut reach full maturity. In 1989, 4.8 hectares were designated a nature reserve by decree. Learn more about the sweet chestnut north of the Alps!

DISCOVER the protected natural jewel chestnut forest

Forest nature trail Edelkastanienweg
The easy circular trail leads from the center of Unterach am Attersee, up to the kindergarten, passing on the right along a meadow path to the sweet chestnut forest. In the forest there is the possibility to hike further to the Hochplettspitz or to the Egelsee. Further information HERE.

Chestnut Festival Unterach
On the third weekend in October, everything in Unterach revolves around the noble chestnut. At the chestnut festival Unterach restaurateurs and associations present delicacies around the chestnut. From chestnut sauteed to chestnuts wrapped in bacon to sweet chestnuts and banana chestnut pancakes - many culinary delicacies can be conjured up from this noble chestnut. More information HERE.

Jubilee tree Emperor Franz Josef
Emperor's jubilee and government anniversaries offered occasions for numerous honors and namings. In Unterach, on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of the reign of Emperor Franz Josef on August 18, 1908, it was decided to honor him by planting a jubilee tree. Today the jubilee chestnut tree is a popular resting place equipped with table and benches.

Vine growing on the slope
It is believed that the Romans already tried to grow grapes on the southern slope of the chestnut forest. It is assumed that the chestnut trees were planted to see if the climatic conditions were suitable for wine. Wine was grown here for a relatively long time. Today, in memory of this time and the special climatic conditions, some vines have been planted again at the edge of the forest.

PROTECTED PLANTS IN THE CHESTNUT FOREST
Several hundred years old sweet chestnut trees & ensure their continuity


The sweet chestnut forest is a noble deciduous forest in a protected forest edge location north of the village of Unterach am Attersee. Besides beech, hornbeam and oak, the sweet chestnut thrives, especially at the edges. However, the tree species is found sporadically in the area between Unterach and Misling. Magnificent sweet chestnut trees thrive here on an area of about four and a half hectares; the oldest are 200 to 300 years old. The aim of the nature reserve is to secure the sweet chestnut forest for the future by selectively releasing the young plants.

PS: By the way, the sweet chestnut and the horse chestnut, which is much more widespread in Upper Austria, are not related to each other. The sweet chestnut is a beech plant.
 
Sources & further information:
State of Upper Austria https://www.land-oberoesterreich.gv.at/69172.htm
Land Upper Austria protected areas: https://www.land-oberoesterreich.gv.at/92726.htm

From spring to late autumn accessible

  • open to the public
  • Can only be viewed from outside

Accessibility / arrival

From Salzburg via the A1 - Mondsee exit
From Vienna/Linz via A1 - exit St. Georgen, Attersee via Nußdorf to Unterach
From the west - Bad Ischl-Weißenbach-Unterach
By train:
Coming from Salzburg or Linz/Vienna to Vöcklamarkt, continue with the Atterseebahn to Attersee, continue by bus to Unterach
Plane:
From Salzburg via the A1 - Mondsee exit.
From Vienna/Linz via the A1 - exit St. Georgen

Travelling by public transport
Route planner for independent travellers
  • Free entry
  • All weather
  • Suitable for groups
  • Suitable for schools
  • Suitable for kids (3 - 14 Year)
  • Suitable for kids (all ages)
  • Pets allowed
  • Suitable for teenagers
  • Suitable for seniors
  • Suitable for single travelers
  • Suitable for friends
  • Suitable for couples
  • Suitable for children
Season
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Autumn

Please get in touch for more information.

Contact


Sweet Chestnut Forest - Integral nature reserve
Kastanienwald 3
4866 Unterach am Attersee

Phone +43 7666 7719 - 50
E-Mail info.unterach@attersee.at
Web attersee-attergau.salzkammergut.at
https://attersee-attergau.salzkammergut.at
https://attersee-attergau.salzkammergut.at

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Contact person

Tourismusverband Attersee-Attergau
Hauptstraße 9
4866 Unterach am Attersee

Phone +43 7666 7719 - 50
E-Mail info.unterach@attersee.at
Web attersee-attergau.salzkammergut.at

Legal contact information

Tourismusverband Attersee-Attergau
Attergaustraße 55
AT-4880 St. Georgen im Attergau
info@attersee.at
https://attersee-attergau.salzkammergut.at

We speak the following languages

German

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