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Habitats at the Neusiedler See-Seewinkel National Park

A wide range of areas with many special features

Lake Neusiedl extends to the last foothills of the Alps in the west: The Leitha Mountains and the Ödenburg Mountains, the highest point of which is an incredible 606 m above sea level.

The large gravel terrace of the Parndorf Plain is to the north. In the east, you’ll find the lowlands of Seewinkel, and the Hanság is located in the southeast, mostly on Hungarian territory. 

Lake Neusiedl extends over about 320 km² from the lowest point of the small Hungarian lowlands. The steppe lake is almost entirely surrounded by a reed bed, some of which is up to 5 km wide.

The unique salt lakes are located in Seewinkel, dotted among the meadows and pastureland. The largest and best known is Lange Lacke. These extremely rare bodies of water dry out periodically and are a habitat for equally rare and specially adapted plants and animals.

Southwest of Illmitz, the lake dam, a sand wall up to 2 m high and up to 25 m wide, extends some 25 km. This habitat, created by powerful ice bursts that deposited the sand on the eastern shore of the lake, is home to very unique fauna and flora. 

The Hanság fens have changed continuously in recent centuries: Once part of Lake Neusiedl, transformed into a meadow landscape by drainage measures, they are now partially restored by means of backwater measures. In addition to the Great Bustard – the heaviest flying bird in the world – sea eagles are also regularly spotted here. 

The Illmitz National Park Information Center is not only the best starting point for various excursions and explorations, it also provides you with up-to-date information on the best observation points. Once you see the magnificent scenery with your own eyes, you will want to come back for more.

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