The area of the Willersdorf Gorge begins in Willersdorf, a district of Oberschützen, and extends northward to the Dreiländereck, about 6 km away, which is the border between Lower Austria, Styria, and Burgenland. Halfway along, a side valley branches off to Aschau, also a part of Oberschützen. The northeastern flank is bounded by the Bernsteiner Mountains. The area is traversed by the Willersbach, which has retained its original course up to Oberschützen. The region's climate is influenced by the Wechsel.
The Willersdorf Gorge – Aschauer Au is remarkable in biological and geological-geographical terms. As an outcrop of the Wechsel massif, the area exhibits characteristics of the Central Alps of Austria, which is also reflected in the presence of certain plant and animal species. A large part of the area is forested, particularly the flanks are characterized by mixed forests featuring hornbeam, ash, and mountain maple. In higher elevations, beech trees can be found, and occasionally mountain elms and green alders. In autumn, these forests offer a colorful landscape. The vegetation of the gorge forests with alder stands at the valley floor indicates high humidity and good water supply.
The valley floor is characterized by differently developed valley meadows (wet, moist, and dry meadows), which provide habitats for numerous plant and animal species. These meadows have been partially reforested or left to natural succession after several flooding events, which has altered the landscape.
In recent years and decades, various measures have been taken to preserve the area's biodiversity. As part of an ÖPUL program (Austrian Program for Rural Development), a meadow restoration project was implemented in 2004 under the coordination of the Austrian Nature Conservation Association.
In 2006, a nature experience trail was created with eight stations that convey various themes related to the landscape. The Willersdorf Gorge – Aschauer Au is also interesting from a cultural-historical perspective: The valley meadow landscape was once a significant milling region. Today, some remnants of this time still exist, such as the Valtl Mill (now a residence), the ruins of the Patrizl Mill, and the Kirnbauer Mill at the end of the valley floor before Loipersdorf.
At the entrance of the valley on the left flank called Schlossleiten, there was once a small castle complex, of which only remnants remain today. It was presumably built in the 12th and 13th centuries and existed until the 16th century. Various tales surround the castle, including the story of "Schlosshansl," who was known as a robber.