Salzburger Lungau & Kärntner Nockberge

The 149,600-ha biosphere reserve extends over the Lungau plateau and the Nock mountains between the lander of Salzburg and Carinthia. Designated in 2012, it is the largest of Austria’s four biosphere reserves.

Tradition and nature come together in the extensive alpine landscape of the Salzburger Lungau & Kärntner Nockberge Biosphere Reserve. For generations, respectful landscape management has coexisted with the biodiversity inhabiting its deep valleys and marshes, forests and glaciers. The region’s sustainable development is focused on ecotourism, organic food production and the coexistence of humankind and nature! It's all about celebrating life!

The people from the biosphere reserve share their daily life, listen to the podcasts with Heinz Mayer and Petra Glanzer.

Discover in this podcast the traditions of the Salzburger Lungau & Kärntner Nockberge Biosphere Reserve.

UNESCO/Science Beat

500 -2,441 m

From its 500 m high plateau to Eisenhut at 2,441 m, this mountainous biosphere is a network of varying landscapes.

Treeline Oddity

In the Alps, forests typically reach their limit around 2,500 m as the soil becomes too cold for trees to grow.

Living Symbol

The Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) is the well-loved symbol of the Nock mountains. Usually discreet, the males become proudly boisterous during the courting season.

Soils in motion

Ranging from 15.6°C to -5°C , the soil is shifted and recongured by successive freeze-thaw cycles.