Natural areas in the Quellenviertel
Get out into the fresh air. Take a deep breath. And just set off.
In the Quellenviertel, nature loves to show off what it can do. Sometimes calm and still in the moorland. Sometimes teeming with life along the rivers. And then again, a deep green right in the heart of the forest. It is precisely this diversity that makes the region’s natural spaces so special.
Amidst rolling hills, small streams, wide floodplains and shady woods, you’ll find places where the hustle and bustle of everyday life quickly fades away. There’s a rustling in the undergrowth, water glistens somewhere, and sometimes, apart from birdsong, you simply hear nothing at all.
Being outdoors. Just the way you like it.
Cycling through rolling hills.
Walking through woods and across meadows.
Discovering the next horizon on horseback.
In the Quellenviertel, there isn’t just one way.
There are many.
Nature that gives you space.
For speed, for tranquillity – and for everything in between.
Erlebnisse in der Natur
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The Quellenviertel is as colourful as life itself, so there’s always plenty to discover and experience. Here are a few suggestions for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bogs, water, floodplain woodland, hills, upland woodland and lakes are all quite close together here. The Quellenviertel is not the sort of natural area that’s bustling with activity. Rather, it’s the sort that makes you slow down: on the bog footbridge, along the Inn embankment, in the woods or on the lakeshore.
The Ibmer Moor. It is regarded as Austria’s largest contiguous moorland complex and is a nature reserve and a NATURA 2000 site. It forms part of the Ibm-Bürmoos-Weidmoos complex and is a largely unspoilt moorland area comprising lowland, transitional and raised bogs.
The bog nature trail takes you through an atmospheric bog landscape, along wooden walkways, past hay meadows, watercourses and viewing points. If you’d like to find out more, you can join a guided tour led by an expert: you’ll learn how a bog is formed, why it’s important for the climate, and which animals and plants call this place home.
Rare grasses, orchids and flowering plants grow in the Ibmer Moor. The carnivorous sundew is particularly fascinating. In the lowland moor areas, there are magnificent flowers, whilst in the raised bog and transitional bog areas, it becomes quieter, more bog-like and a little more mysterious.
The Ibmer Moor is home to one of Upper Austria’s most important meadow-breeding areas. Weidmoos and Pfeiferanger are regarded as high-quality bird sanctuaries. In Weidmoos, a former peat extraction site, around 200 rare bird species now find a refuge.
Yes. The short circular walk along the bog nature trail is partially accessible and runs for around 1.2 kilometres through transitional and raised bogs. There is also an accessible bog nature trail in Weidmoos, approximately 1.5 kilometres long, as well as a viewing tower.
The lakes suitable for swimming and popular destinations include Lake Heratinger, also known as Lake Ibmer, Lake Höllerer, Lake Holzöster, Lake Matt and Lake Grab. In addition, there are Lake Leitgeringer, Lake Wöhr and Lake Wald on the Bavarian side. At 32 hectares, Heratingersee is the largest lake situated entirely within the region.
Lakes such as Höllerer See, Heratingersee, Holzöstersee, Mattsee and Grabensee are ideal for swimming and relaxing. Around the lakes, there are lido beaches, sunbathing areas and natural spots where you can take a breather. Holzöstersee is a particularly warm lake for swimming.
Yes. Leithen Lake, which is mentioned in the data as offering swimming facilities, a kiosk and a public barbecue area, is situated in Geboltskirchen. There is also the Enserteich lake near Grieskirchen, which is home to larger fish species such as carp, bream and Amur carp.
The Inn, Salzach and Mattig characterise large parts of the river landscape. These are joined by the Trattnach, the Schwemmbach and other smaller watercourses. Each river has its own character: the Inn is large and mighty; the Salzach has gravel banks and steep banks; the Mattig appears gentler, but is abundant in water and shapes the landscape.
The Lower Inn European Nature Reserve is a natural area of international importance. More than 300 species of bird have been recorded there; many use the area for breeding, overwintering or as a stopover during migration. Islands, mudflats, reed-lined banks, floodplain forests and reservoirs make the Lower Inn a veritable bird paradise.
The Naturium am Inn is a cross-border visitor, nature conservation and environmental education centre. It offers exhibitions, interactive displays, guided tours and programmes for groups, schools and nurseries. Naturium guides showcase the habitats along the Lower Inn and bring the flora, fauna and birdlife to life.
Yes, very good. Tens of thousands of migratory birds stop off at the Inn reservoirs, particularly in spring and autumn. Guided tours take in the reservoirs, dams and floodplains; binoculars can be borrowed on certain tours. If you have your own, bring them along – it can’t do any harm.
The Hausruck is a range of hills over 30 kilometres long in the Alpine foothills. Together with the neighbouring Kobernaußerwald, this forested area is one of Europe’s largest contiguous woodlands. It is a place for walking, cycling, horse riding, fresh air and tranquillity. In other words, exactly what you’re looking for when everyday life gets too noisy.
At 801 metres, the Göblberg is the highest point in the woodland area surrounding the Hausruck. After climbing over 200 steps to the observation tower, visitors are rewarded with a sweeping panoramic view over forests, meadows and hills, stretching as far as the mountains. For walkers, cyclists and horse riders, it is a striking natural landmark and vantage point.
The forest is a habitat. So please stick to the designated paths, do not disturb the animals, do not leave any rubbish behind, do not light open fires, and keep dogs on a lead. Cycling and horse riding are only permitted on suitable or signposted paths. That’s how it should be. And the forest will thank you for it.