Austria’s forests and popular hiking trails! With @max_pawlikowsky / Forests cover about 47% of Austria’s land area, making it one of the most forested countries in Europe. The Bregenzerwald Forest, Hohe Tauern National Park, Wienerwald, Kalkalpen National Park, and Nockberge National Park are home to some of Austria’s most iconic forests, known for their beauty and ecological importance. In combination, these forests are home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, including more than 1,000 species of higher plants and approximately 1,200 species of fungi, and many species of trees like spruce, fir, beech, and oak. The Austrian Forest Act, enacted in 1991, is designed to protect and manage the country’s forests sustainably. So they are harvested in a way that allows them to regenerate and continue to provide ecological and economic benefits. And this is because Austria’s forests play a crucial role in regulating the country’s water and air quality - like most of Earth’s forests worldwide - absorbing and filtering pollutants and helping to prevent erosion and landslides. Many of these forests are also popular among tourists, visiting them to enjoy the many hiking trails. Austria’s forests offer a variety of hiking trails, from short, easy trails to more challenging routes that take several days to complete. One popular trail in Austria’s forests is the “Burgenweg” (Castle Trail), which takes hikers through the rolling hills of the Waldviertel region in Lower Austria. Along the way, hikers can visit several historic castles and fortresses and enjoy views of the surrounding landscape. Another popular trail is the Donau-Auen-Weg (Danube Wetlands Trail), which follows the Danube river through the Lower Austrian region of the Wachau. This trail offers a mix of cultural and natural attractions, including vineyards, historic towns, and wetlands. Other trails in Austria’s forests include the Via Alpina, which traverses the Alps from the Czech Republic to Slovenia, and the Mariazellerweg, which takes hikers through the scenic landscape of the Mürztal valley in Styria. Have you had the opportunity to explore these routes already? 🍂