The best family-friendly hikes and walks around Eckartsau

Every now and then a ship passes by.

Eckartsau Castle, the headquarters of the Donau-Auen National Park of the Austrian Federal Forests, also has an information point for the Donau-Auen National Park including a castle café and the WILD°WECHSEL exhibition. Visit the national park information point, which will advise you on your personal excursion wishes. Ask about the most beautiful hiking and cycling trails or book a guided excursion in the Donau-Auen National Park on land and water. You can also book castle tours here. The castle café will spoil you with pastries, small snacks and cold and warm drinks while you rest in the idyllic courtyard of the castle. The WILD°WECHSEL exhibition tells the story of the transformation from an imperial hunting ground to a national park: Of course, the Donau-Auen cannot be easily put into two rooms. But interesting views and insights are guaranteed here. Roam through the floodplain forests on a special kind of stalking trip. Find your way. Observe and explore the surroundings. Become the target of others. Race through time and see for yourself. Cross the turbulent stream of history with its stages. From the monarchy to the present day. Become a part of our history! Spot animals, master the hunting language and become a goal scorer. Prepare to be surprised - at second glance everything is different. Visiting the exhibition is free of charge.

Beautiful view of the Orther Islands from the shore path. The islands themselves are difficult to access due to the dense undergrowth.

This part of the path leads along a narrow forest path and through meadows.

A section of the Great Danube Circuit near Eckartsau leads along the river bank. Water birds such as ducks and seagulls can be observed here.

The castle park is designed as a landscape garden, which forms a successful transition from the ordered cultural landscape with flower beds and plantings to the untamed wildness of the dynamic riparian forest in the Donau-Auen National Park. The “Gift of Trees” playground was also set up here and can be visited all year round. Here children will find everything that makes a play area exciting. The castle park and natural playground are open all year round with free admission.

The former imperial hunting lodge Schloss Eckartsau, headquarters of the Donau-Auen National Park operation of the Austrian Federal Forests, is idyllically nestled in the heart of the Donau-Auen National Park. A wide range of offers for nature experiences, historical tours and national park information await you at this location.

On the Danube, the Orther Islands are inviting bathing areas; they are located a few hundred meters downstream from the popular Orther Uferhaus. These islands were created in the flow shadow of a tail structure (hydraulic structure along the bank). Over the years you can observe the creative power of the river here. Real and original virgin forests grow on these islands in the national park. Because here the forest was never used for forestry or hunting purposes. The river has deposited colorful pebbles of all sizes and the finest river sand. In some places the water washes out the sprawling rhizomes of the white willows, numerous mistletoes thrive in the crowns of the white poplars, and lianas form dense curtains of leaves.