Austria's newest national park has opened its doors. Mysterious and breathtakingly beautiful, the light limestone peaks of the Gesäuse National Park tower into the sky. Here, we will begin an enchanting journey through the Styrian Alps, with its breath-taking landscapes and industrial rural towns steeped in history.

Along the way, we will discover the Admont Abbey, a Benedictine monastery and a spiritual and cultural centre, whose world-famous library has been called the "Eighth Wonder of the World".

The Enns River, 254 kilometres long and the country’s longest inland river breaks through the Northern Limestone Alps through a hidden valley between Admont and Hieflau. The surrounding limestone cliffs rise above and are popular with mountain climbers, as beautiful as they are dangerous. Hikes through the Gesäuse offer amazing views of the mountain peaks and pastures, and alpine huts provide respite in the healthy mountain air and fragrant herb meadows. We will discover the fascinating geology of the mountains, made up of limestone and dolomite, originating in the Triassic and Jurassic periods, as well as the strong industrial legacy of the area. In the mining town of Hieflau, the town hall is today still decorated with mine motifs, iron ore was predominant in Palfau and a museum in Grossreifling tells the story of wood.

The Eisenwurzen Nature Park is characterised by its beautiful forests, romantic river valleys and idyllic farms and a hike through the Wasserlochklamm offers astounding views of waterfalls and of the Salza Valley. Past St. Gallen, we will explore the old fortress ruins of Burg Gallenstein, surrounded by blooming flower meadows and healthy woodland. And finally, Spitzenbachklamm and the “Valley of the Butterflies”, from which the view opens up to look back across the mountain slopes and peaks of the Gesäuse.

With even more magical places full of adventure and enchanting beauty to discover, the Gesäuse and Eisenwurzen parks are a paradise for nature lovers and thrill-seekers alike.