Tourists who love nature will consider Austria as a paradise because of its fabulous Alpine peaks and charming villages. Besides, this European country consists of several national parks populated with wildlife. There is no better place on earth than Austria National Parks to encounter closely with a lynx or marmot.
Here are your top three National Parks in Austria to see a lynx or a marmot.
Kalkalpen National Park
Kalkalpen National Park located in Upper Austria is a perfect place for lovers of animals and birds. The park stretches across the wide forests, unspoiled rivers, and craggy peaks. Besides, being a UNSECO site, it hosts one of the biggest lynx populations in Austria.
Lynxes became extinct due to illegal hunting before 1990. They were reintroduced in the park and today their numbers have grown a lot. These enigmatic predators have large tufted ears and stealth movements.
The beech wood with thickets and limestone cliffs are best posts to track them. To get a glimpse of the lynx one has to make efforts and be patient. During the guided tours you get additional information about the behavior of the lynx and its natural environment.
Adding to this difficulty, marmots are mostly silent while they are on the move, and as you walk through the park, all you will be able to hear is whistle like calls from these animals. Although not as frequently seen in Kalkalpen as in some other European countries, these social rodents can be found in the alpine meadows in the summer.
Hohe Tauern National Park
For marmot lovers Hohe Tauern National Park is one of the largest national parks of Austria. This large central European park covers the three provinces – Carinthia, Salzburg and Tyrol. It provides tourists with a wonderful example of Alpine ecology.
Marmots with their chubby bodies and playful behavior are one of the park’s prime attractions. These creatures are easily seen around during spring and summer – basking in the sun or foraging in the meadows. Hiking trials like the Grossglockner High Alpine Road provide the best viewing spots to observe the marmots in action.
Though rather scarce, lynxes are sometimes encountered within the territory of the park, yet there are many other interesting and rather frequent inhabitants of the park such as eagles and chamois. The mountains, glaciers, waterfalls and valleys offer different views and make every wild life activity a thrilling experience.
Gesäuse National Park
Located in Styria, Gesäuse National Park offers opportunities for bird watching, wildlife encounters, and for those seeking solitude. The reclusive lynx prefers to inhabit in the rugged moorland, fast running rivers, and virgin forests.
Many marmots are found in the Gesäuse region. These animals are resident in the alpine meadows near the treeline or you may see them scurrying from rock to rock, or standing sphinx-like beside a burrow. If you are lucky you might hear their beautiful ‘alarm calls’ whenever they feel threatened.
Final thoughts
Austria’s national parks are very interesting and diverse. They offer wildlife encounters with lynxes and marmots stealing the show. Kalkalpen has the dense forests, Hohe Tauern boast beautiful wide vistas and Gesäuse displays serene landscapes. In simple terms, these parks offer exciting opportunities for interaction with Austria’s untouched flora and fauna.
