Stiftswald Altenburg

In the Middle Kamp Valley ("Kamptal" in German) near Altenburg Abbey, you can still experience nature in its original and undisturbed state. Hikers enjoy quiet paths, intense bird concerts, romantic forests and the meditative view of the gently flowing Kamp. The Altenburg Abbey Forest is managed in a particularly natural way and was awarded the State Prize for Exemplary Forest Management in 2018. Many hillside forests have been growing here almost untouched for thousands of years and are home to rare animal species such as white-tailed eagles, black storks, beavers, woodpeckers and bats as well as beetle species that live on dead wood, including the alpine longhorn beetle and stag beetle.

Rare plants bloom on dry grasslands and rocky meadows. The old forests with gnarled oaks, mighty beeches, lime trees and maples are among the most ecologically valuable in Austria and make the Kamp Valley ("Kamptal" in German) a Natura 2000 area "Kamp- und Krems Valley". Foresters specifically promote biodiversity: spruce trees are converted into mixed deciduous forests, jays spread tree seeds, blackberry hedges remain as protection for young trees and dead wood serves as a habitat for small creatures. If you're lucky, you might spot the rare Alpine longhorn beetle on dead oaks.

Hikes in the Kamp Valley ("Kamptal" in German) between Altenburg Abbey, Rosenburg and Wegscheid offer a pure nature experience. The route from Rosenburg to Horn through the romantic Taffa Valley is particularly attractive. Refreshment stops such as the Wegscheidhof round off the tours. Nature lovers can easily reach the Kamp Valley ("Kamptal" in German) without a car: the Kamp Valley ("Kamptal" in German) Railway takes visitors directly into the heart of this unspoiled landscape every hour.