Experience Nature Night – on the Value of Darkness in the Gesäuse National Park
Fr., 16.10.2026 from 20:00 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 causes the stars to disappear. This short hike demonstrates the importance of darkness. With a bit of luck, the starry sky may twinkle above us.
Under optimal star observation conditions, the mobile observatory Gisela will be put into operation.
The Gesäuse National Park is part of the Natural Night Area Eisenwurzen. The Natural Night Area Eisenwurzen is a collaboratively supported project in 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 habitats.
Leadership: National Park Rangers
Date and time
Fr., 16.10.2026
Starts at: 20:00 O'clock
(Duration: 2 Hours)
Event location
Admont - Nationalpark Pavillon, Gstatterboden
Additional Information
Adults, teenagers
The tour will be conducted in German.
The short hike takes place on an unpaved hiking trail as well as a forest road.
Walking distance: 2.5 km
Elevation gain: max. 100 meters
Will this event take place in any weather?
Yes, because we believe that our Gesäuse National Park is an experience in any weather! With clear skies, stargazing will take up a larger part of the event; however, we will also hike a short distance. If the sky is overcast or it rains, a hike into the darkness and – depending on weather conditions – a short lecture will be part of the program. In case of a thunderstorm warning, we will inform you by email by noon on the day of the event about a cancellation.
Can I bring my four-legged friend?
Bringing dogs is not allowed.
Yes, because we believe that our Gesäuse National Park is an experience in any weather! With clear skies, stargazing will take up a larger part of the event; however, we will also hike a short distance. If the sky is overcast or it rains, a hike into the darkness and – depending on weather conditions – a short lecture will be part of the program. In case of a thunderstorm warning, we will inform you by email by noon on the day of the event about a cancellation.
Can I bring my four-legged friend?
Bringing dogs is not allowed.
Fri, 22. May 2026, 9 p.m. – 11 p.m., National Park Pavilion, Gstatterboden
Fri, 19. June 2026, 9 p.m. – 11 p.m., National Park Pavilion, Gstatterboden
Fri, 24. July 2026, 9 p.m. – 11 p.m., National Park Pavilion, Gstatterboden
Fri, 14. August 2026, 8:30 p.m. – 11 p.m., National Park Pavilion, Gstatterboden
Fri, 16. October 2026, 8 p.m. – 10 p.m., National Park Pavilion, Gstatterboden
€ 25.00 per person
The parking spaces in the Gesäuse National Park are subject to a fee (daily ticket € 7.00). More information about the parking spaces can be found here.
