Vienna Woods Biosphere Reserve

The Vienna Woods form the north-eastern foothills of the Alps and are a hilly mountainous region with elevations ranging from 200 to 890 metres. To the east, the slopes merge into the Vienna city area, and to the south, into the Thermenlinie.

Geographical boundaries and bodies of water

The region is defined by clear natural boundaries:

  • South: Triesting Valley

  • West: Große Tulln

  • North: Sloping terrain towards the Tullnerfeld and the Danube

Drainage of the area flows in two main directions:

  1. To the east: via the Triesting, Schwechat, Mödling, Liesing and Wien streams.

  2. Northwards: To the Danube via the Große and Kleine Tulln, Hagenbach, Kierling and Weidlingbach.

Settlement and infrastructure

Despite the extensive forest cover, settlement is concentrated along specific corridors and in peripheral areas. A high population density is particularly evident along the Wien Valley and the Thermenlinie.

International protection status

The Vienna Woods is recognised as a biosphere reserve in accordance with international guidelines and has been designated as such by UNESCO. This project is jointly supported and developed by the federal states of Lower Austria and Vienna.

Further information

Further details about the biosphere reserve are available at www.bpww.at.