Experience Nature Night – on the Value of Darkness in Gesäuse National Park
Fr., 14.08.2026 from 21:00 o'clock
Discover the darkest night sky in Central Europe: why less light is so valuable.
Artificial light threatens insects, plants, and nocturnal animals, disrupts human sleep, and lets the stars disappear. This short hike demonstrates the importance of darkness. With a bit of luck, the starry sky will also twinkle above us.
Under optimal star observation conditions, the mobile observatory Gisela will be in operation.
The Gesäuse National Park is part of the Natural Night Area Eisenwurzen. The Natural Night Area Eisenwurzen is a collaborative project within one of the largest contiguous protected areas in Austria. Spanning over 2,396 km², the area unites Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Styria, six protected areas, and 20 municipalities to reduce light pollution and preserve the natural night sky and its habitat.
Leadership: National Park Rangers
Date and time
Fr., 14.08.2026
Starts at: 21:00 O'clock
(Duration: 2 Hours)
Event location
Admont - Nationalpark Pavillon, Gstatterboden
Additional Information
Adults, teenagers
Will this event take place in any weather?
Yes, because we believe that our National Park Gesäuse is an experience in any weather! On clear days, stargazing will take up a larger part of the event; however, we will also take a short hike. If the sky is overcast or it rains, we will plan a hike in the dark and – depending on weather conditions – a short lecture. In the event of a thunderstorm warning, we will inform you by email by noon on the day of the event about any cancellation.
Can I bring my four-legged friend?
The admission of dogs is not allowed.
Yes, because we believe that our National Park Gesäuse is an experience in any weather! On clear days, stargazing will take up a larger part of the event; however, we will also take a short hike. If the sky is overcast or it rains, we will plan a hike in the dark and – depending on weather conditions – a short lecture. In the event of a thunderstorm warning, we will inform you by email by noon on the day of the event about any cancellation.
Can I bring my four-legged friend?
The admission of dogs is not allowed.
Fri, 22 May 2026, 21 – 23 o'clock, National Park Pavilion, Gstatterboden
Fri, 19 June 2026, 21 – 23 o'clock, National Park Pavilion, Gstatterboden
Fri, 24 July 2026, 21 – 23 o'clock, National Park Pavilion, Gstatterboden
Fri, 14 August 2026, 21 – 23 o'clock, National Park Pavilion, Gstatterboden
Fri, 16 October 2026, 20 – 22 o'clock, National Park Pavilion, Gstatterboden
€ 25.00 per person
The parking spaces in the Gesäuse National Park are subject to a fee (day ticket € 7.00). More information about the parking spaces can be found here.
The Perseids (mid-August) are among the most prolific meteor showers of the year, with 80 to 150 shooting stars per hour.
