The Nationalpark Thayatal protects a deep river gorge cut by the Thaya through the Waldviertel granite plateau on the Czech border. It is the smallest of Austria’s six national parks but ecologically dense, holding the country’s only confirmed wild cat population and forming a paired cross-border reserve with the Czech Podyji National Park. The valley was effectively closed for 40 years as Cold War borderland; the long isolation helped preserve its ecology. Hardegg, the small town at the valley base, has the ruins of Austria’s smallest medieval castle with views across the former Iron Curtain border. Free entry; park always accessible. About 90 minutes from Vienna by car. Check ahead for guided wildcat spotting tours.
national park in Vienna City
Nationalpark Thayatal
The Thayatal is the national park that almost no one from outside Austria knows about, and that is most of its value. It protects a deep river valley carved by the Thaya through the granite plateau of the Waldviertel, right on the Czech border.
- Type
- national park
- Destination
- Vienna City
- Cost
- Paid entry
- Founded
- 2000
- Era
- Contemporary
- Address
- Nationalparkhaus, 2082 Hardegg, 2082 Vienna
- Coordinates
- 48.8445, 15.8451
- Official website
- Visit website