Mostviertel: Wild waters and genuine wilderness
In the north, gentle rolling hills with thousands of cider pear trees; further south, mountains rising to almost 2,000 metres: the Mostviertel region spans everything from river cycle paths and natural lakes to deep gorges around the Ötscher.
The region is at its most pristine in the Dürrenstein-Lassingtal wilderness area, home to the largest contiguous primeval forest in Central Europe, the Rothwald. Strictly protected and undisturbed by humans, a perfectly balanced ecosystem has been able to develop here. You can find out what this means and why it is so important to allow more wilderness on guided excursions and at the Haus der Wildnis (House of Wilderness).
3 | Waidhofen an der Ybbs
Between towers, alleyways and the Ybbs river, Waidhofen has flair and character. It also has contrasts: Schloss Rothschild combines medieval history with Hans Hollein's glass cube and the interactive 5 Elements Museum.
There is something to experience here around the clock: during the day, enjoy a leisurely coffee in the historic old town, accompanied by a small delicacy from a traditional patisserie. At night, take a journey through the history of the town on a guided night watchman tour.
4 | Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park
"If you haven't been to the Ötscher, you haven't seen Lower Austria", so says an old folk saying. And indeed: bubbling mountain streams, thundering waterfalls, rugged limestone cliffs and deep gorges such as the Ötschergräben and the Tormäuer make this nature park unique. Wild beauty between rugged cliffs and clear waterways, interspersed with the tranquillity of the forests.
