Kalkalpen National Park, National park in Upper Austria, Austria
Kalkalpen National Park is a protected area in the Northern Limestone Alps of Upper Austria, covering 20,825 hectares (51,460 acres) of mountain forests, springs and streams. The landscape ranges from deep valleys through midmountain terrain up to the peaks, where meadows, karst surfaces and abandoned pastures alternate.
This park was established in 1997 to protect the last large stretches of old-growth forest in Austria. The decision came after decades of debate over industrial use of these mountain woodlands.
The name Kalkalpen refers to the limestone peaks that rise across much of this protected wilderness and shape its character. Many meadows and forests were once alpine pastures, now left to return to their natural state with little human interference.
Three visitor centers in Molln, Ennstal, and near Hengstpaßhütte provide information about the landscape and offer maps for the trail network. Many routes follow quiet valley sections, while others climb to higher elevations and require more stamina.
More than 800 natural springs rise within the park, feeding a network of 200 kilometers (124 miles) of streams. It is also home to around 1,500 butterfly species, more than anywhere else in Austria.
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