Gratzen Mountains, Mountain range at Czech-Austrian border
The Gratzen Mountains form a range straddling the Austrian-Czech border and constitute a protected landscape area. Dense forests of coniferous and deciduous trees blanket much of the terrain, while marked hiking trails run through valleys and across ridges.
The area became a border zone after World War II with minimal settlement and development. This Cold War isolation allowed nature to regenerate largely undisturbed, creating an unintentional ecological refuge.
The mountains carry different names across the border—Novohradské hory in Czech and Gratzener Bergland in German—reflecting the shared story of this frontier region. Visitors notice this dual identity in village names, signposts, and how local communities speak about their shared landscape.
The terrain is best explored on foot, with well-marked trails accessible from multiple starting points. The best time to visit is late spring through autumn, when paths are dry and visibility is good.
The mountains serve as a water source for several important rivers that flow far beyond the region. This hydrological role makes them significant for downstream communities across Central Europe.
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