--- title: Europaschutzgebiet Wiesengebiete im Freiwald url: "https://www.muehlviertel.at/en/oesterreich-poi/detail/430026748/europaschutzgebiet-wiesengebiete-im-freiwald.html" description: "The disappearance of meadow landscapes and the intensive use and fertilisation of remaining green spaces are causing meadow birds serious problems. The European nature reserve \"Wiesengebiete im Freiwald\" in the Upper Austrian Mühlviertel creates a refuge for many species." date: 2025-02-03 modified: 2026-03-02 --- # Europaschutzgebiet Wiesengebiete im Freiwald Europaschutzgebiet Wiesengebiete im Freiwald ============================================== Grünbach, Oberösterreich, Österreich ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/260x195/226057/2A66AE79352024419903851623276398B19022B375F6C825217FC03F06F23006/wiesengebiete-im-freiwaldkleiner-wacholder-auf-findling-mit-pustelflechtenc-strauch-michaelweb.jpg) ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/260x195/226058/57287B84313DB4F7B88CE028AEE371A632BBDCD1504229193B828EC73647D5BC/wiesengebiete-im-freiwaldwacholderheide-auf-der-edt-mit-findlingenc-strauch-michaelweb.jpg) ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/260x195/226059/7BA17005AE67DAD56CE433D33EF058989B8656A17D9DFC532171554F0946A84C/wiesengebiete-im-freiwaldstufenraine-bei-mairspindtc-limberger-josefweb.jpg) © Open copyright © Michael Strauch Close copyright [ ![European nature reserve meadow areas in the Freiwald forest](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/226057/2A66AE79352024419903851623276398B19022B375F6C825217FC03F06F23006/wiesengebiete-im-freiwaldkleiner-wacholder-auf-findling-mit-pustelflechtenc-strauch-michaelweb.jpg "© Michael Strauch") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/226057/2A66AE79352024419903851623276398B19022B375F6C825217FC03F06F23006/wiesengebiete-im-freiwaldkleiner-wacholder-auf-findling-mit-pustelflechtenc-strauch-michaelweb.jpg) © Open copyright © Michael Strauch Close copyright [ ![Meadow areas in the open forest](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/226058/57287B84313DB4F7B88CE028AEE371A632BBDCD1504229193B828EC73647D5BC/wiesengebiete-im-freiwaldwacholderheide-auf-der-edt-mit-findlingenc-strauch-michaelweb.jpg "© Michael Strauch") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/226058/57287B84313DB4F7B88CE028AEE371A632BBDCD1504229193B828EC73647D5BC/wiesengebiete-im-freiwaldwacholderheide-auf-der-edt-mit-findlingenc-strauch-michaelweb.jpg) © Open copyright © Josef Limberger Close copyright [ ![Meadow areas in the open forest](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/226059/7BA17005AE67DAD56CE433D33EF058989B8656A17D9DFC532171554F0946A84C/wiesengebiete-im-freiwaldstufenraine-bei-mairspindtc-limberger-josefweb.jpg "© Josef Limberger") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/226059/7BA17005AE67DAD56CE433D33EF058989B8656A17D9DFC532171554F0946A84C/wiesengebiete-im-freiwaldstufenraine-bei-mairspindtc-limberger-josefweb.jpg) © Open copyright © Josef Limberger Close copyright [ ![Meadow areas in the open forest](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/226060/3088A108C676E014ACE9484A42EA7B2205AD0AE24337585949249E3E45730D4B/wiesengebiete-im-freiwaldwiesenlandschaft-bei-hacklbrunnc-limberger-josefweb.jpg "© Josef Limberger") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/226060/3088A108C676E014ACE9484A42EA7B2205AD0AE24337585949249E3E45730D4B/wiesengebiete-im-freiwaldwiesenlandschaft-bei-hacklbrunnc-limberger-josefweb.jpg) 1. 2. 3. 4. Grünbach 4261 Grünbach [ open in Google Maps ](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Gr%C3%BCnbach%2C%204261%20Gr%C3%BCnbach "Link will open in a new window") [ Open in Apple Maps ](https://maps.apple.com/place?address=Gr%C3%BCnbach%2C%204261%20Gr%C3%BCnbach "Link will open in a new window") ![](https://static.ecmaps.de/staticmap.jpg?experience=webarchitektur-meta&lat=48.537408823654594&lon=14.548645019531248&width=991&height=450&project=ttg-basemap&zoom=2000&server=meta.tourdata.at) *The disappearance of meadow landscapes and the intensive use and fertilisation of remaining green spaces are causing meadow birds serious problems. The European nature reserve "Wiesengebiete im Freiwald" in the Upper Austrian Mühlviertel creates a refuge for many species.* The protected area is located on the border between the Mühlviertel and the neighbouring Waldviertel and the Czech Republic in the municipalities of Grünbach, Windhaag, St. Oswald, Weitersfelden, Sandl and especially Liebenau. The protected meadows are mostly so-called clearing islands within forest areas. On the one hand, they are characterised by their altitude of between 700 and 1,000 metres above sea level. On the other hand, they are located on exposed hilltops. As a result, these areas are exposed to a harsh microclimate, which makes profitable cultivation difficult. In the area of the "Green Belt" on the former Iron Curtain, there are also large bird breeding areas on the Czech side of the border, which further enhances the value of the meadows in the Freiwald. The corncrake in particular, which occurs here, depends on fallow meadows that are rarely mown and mown late. The red-backed shrike also needs insect-rich landscapes whose meadows are little utilised and cultivated. Woodlark, quail, common snipe and Common Woodlark, Common Quail, Common Snipe and Eurasian Grasshopper Warbler are other species that observant birdwatchers can find here. The whinchat and meadow pipit are also migratory birds in the Freiwald. [ Contact ](#ttgCollapseKontakt) ---------------------------------- **Europaschutzgebiet Wiesengebiete im Freiwald** Grünbach 4261 Grünbach Phone [ +43 7942 728130 ](tel:+437942728130) E-Mail [gemeinde@gruenbach.ooe.gv.at](#mailto) --- **Contact person** Gemeinde Grünbach Marktplatz 1 4264 Grünbach Phone [ +43 7942 72813 ](tel:+43794272813) E-Mail [gemeinde@gruenbach.ooe.gv.at](#mailto) Web [www.oberoesterreich.at/gruenbach](http://www.oberoesterreich.at/gruenbach "New window") --- **We speak the following languages** German [ Opening hours ](#ttgCollapseOeffnungszeiten) ------------------------------------------------ - always open (24/7) - open to the public [ Arrival ](#ttgCollapseAnreise) ---------------------------------- [ Suitability ](#ttgCollapseEignung) -------------------------------------- - All weather **Season**- Spring - Summer - Autumn [ Accessibility ](#ttgCollapseBarrierefreiheit) ------------------------------------------------- Please get in touch for more information. powered by [TOURDATA](https://www.tourdata.at "New window") [Suggest a change](#mailto) [ ![TOURDATA Logo](https://www.muehlviertel.at/fileadmin/templates/global/images/Logo-Tourdata.png "TOURDATA Logo") ](https://www.tourdata.at "New window")