UNESCO Geoparks in Austria

The distinct feature of a geopark is the direct insight into geological processes and consequently into the history of Earth. It simply is a marvellous experience to see fossils in their original sediment and to learn more about their geological age and their habitat. It is equally fascinating to discover fault structures of rocks and to learn about caves and mines. The landscapes of the four Austrian UNESCO Geoparks offer great diversity and each of them offers a chance to experience about 470 million years of Alpine geological history.

Preface by Dr. Eva Eva Nowotny, President of the Austrian UNESCO Commission 4Experiencing the adventure of geology firsthand in the UNESCO Geoparks of Austria - Preface by Dr. Heinz Kollmann, chairman of the Forum of Austrian UNESCO Geoparks 5Preface by the editors 6UNESCO-Geopark "Ore of the Alps" (Pongau / Salzburg) (Horst Ibetsberger, Gerhard Feitzinger and Hans Steyrer) 8Copper Ore Trail 26Waterfall Trail 42Heukareck, Paarseen and Schuhflicker 44Liechtensteinklamm (Liechtenstein Gorge) 45UNESCO-Geopark Karawanken / Karavanke (Walter Poltnig, Mojca Bedjanic , Gerald Hartmann, Suzana Fajmut Strucl,Christian Varch, Lenka Rojs, Antonia Weissenbacher, Primoz Vodovnik,Franz Glaser, Uros Herlec and Fritz Klaura) 47Geotrail Mela Koschuta 64Geotrail Hainz valley 66Geotrail Hochobir 69Geotrail Kärntner Storschitz 72Geotrail Petzen 75Geotrail Eisenkappel South 78UNESCO-Geopark Karnische Alpen (Hans P. Schönlaub and Gerlinde Krawanja-Ortner) 82Geotrail Plöckenpass - vom Urknall zum Gailtal 96Geotrail Garnitzenklamm - gigantische Kräfte am Werk 104Geotrail Laas - Versteinerter Urwald - Lebendige Geologie 112Geotrail Wolayer See - Wandern auf Meeresgrund 117Geotrail Zollnersee - Alpine Landschaft mit Geschichte 123Geotrail Nassfeld - entlang fossiler Meeresstrände 129The Nature and Geopark Styrian Eisenwurzen (Oliver Gulas and Heinz Kollmann) 137Exploring geology along the GeoTrail of the GeoVillage Gams 148Discovering the "Seven Lakes" in Wildalpen 155In Devil's "Church" - Spitzenbach Gorge in St. Gallen 164Anisian times - A geological hike in Landl 167List of geographical names 174