The Naturpark Karwendel is Austria’s largest nature park at 730 square kilometers, covering the Karwendel limestone range between Innsbruck and Bavaria. The park is established enough to have predated the national park system (designated 1928) and operates as a managed reserve where limited forestry and alpine farming continue alongside strong ecological protection. The Isar River originates here. Pertisau on the Achensee is the main eastern entry point; the Eng valley (Grosser Ahornboden) is famous for its ancient maple groves that turn gold in October. Serious multi-day wilderness hiking is possible without special permits. Access by rack railway from Jenbach to Achensee, or by car from Innsbruck. Always free.
park in Pertisau
Naturpark Karwendel
The Karwendel is the largest nature park in Austria, covering 730 square kilometers of the Karwendel mountain range between Innsbruck and the Bavarian border. The range is almost entirely unpopulated; the villages of the Risstal and Eng valleys are among the few permanent settlements.
- Type
- park
- Destination
- Pertisau
- Cost
- Free to visit
- Founded
- 1928
- Era
- Modern
- Address
- 6213 Pertisau
- Coordinates
- 47.4244, 11.4886
- Official website
- Visit website