--- title: Nature reserve Rannatal in the region of Danube Upper Austria url: "https://www.muehlviertel.at/en/oesterreich-poi/detail/400574/naturschutzgebiet-rannatal.html" description: Due to rare animals and plants, the Ranna valley near Neustift in the region of Danube Upper Austria was declared as a nature reserve in 2000. date: 2025-04-23 modified: 2025-11-13 --- # Nature reserve Rannatal in the region of Danube Upper Austria Naturschutzgebiet Rannatal ============================ Neustift im Mühlkreis, Oberösterreich, Österreich ![](https://assets.tourdata.at/260x195/203936/2319141E008A0C709A8DF31B421D87DE51A592C2F94CF209E4B5645D827A01A5/naturschutzgebiet-rannatal.jpg) Open copyright © TV Neustift Close copyright [ ![Rannatal nature reserve in Neustift im Mühlkreis: a small river surrounded by dense, green forest. The water flows calmly over rocks and small rapids, while the trees on the banks reach their branches out into nature. The scenery conveys a peaceful and natural atmosphere.](https://assets.tourdata.at/x550/203936/2319141E008A0C709A8DF31B421D87DE51A592C2F94CF209E4B5645D827A01A5/naturschutzgebiet-rannatal.jpg "© TV Neustift") ](https://assets.tourdata.at/1920x/203936/2319141E008A0C709A8DF31B421D87DE51A592C2F94CF209E4B5645D827A01A5/naturschutzgebiet-rannatal.jpg) Rannatal 4143 Neustift im Mühlkreis [ open in Google Maps ](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Rannatal%2C%204143%20Neustift%20im%20M%C3%BChlkreis "Link will open in a new window") [ Open in Apple Maps ](https://maps.apple.com/place?address=Rannatal%2C%204143%20Neustift%20im%20M%C3%BChlkreis "Link will open in a new window") ![](https://static.ecmaps.de/staticmap.jpg?experience=webarchitektur-meta&lat=48.52885&lon=13.756354&width=991&height=450&project=ttg-basemap&zoom=2000&server=meta.tourdata.at) pets allowed Welcome to the Rannatal nature reserve. The Ranna Valley is a stretch of pristine wilderness with forested boulder fields, where mosses and lichens thrive on the barren soil. In addition to the deciduous block forest (composed of elms, ash trees, etc.), the spruce block forest exerts a particularly irresistible charm—especially in the spring, when the foliage of the blueberry bushes glows a bright green, and in the fall, when it turns a rusty brown. The boulder streams, which wind down the valley slopes in some places, represent a particularly unique natural phenomenon. These gneiss boulders, piled one on top of the other, are colonized by pioneer vegetation consisting of mosses and lichens. The bright yellow color of the rocks comes from a water-shy lichen species, the sulfur lichen (Chrysothrix chlorina). They are called “block streams” because these rock slides are still in motion and shift a few centimeters each year. No wonder—this natural gem, with its near-natural forests and rocky habitats, is an important refuge for a large number of rare and endangered species, such as the green lizard, which finds its last remaining habitat in Upper Austria outside the Danube Valley here! Less well-known animal and plant species are also found here, and the valley is a site of outstanding importance for lichen flora across Europe. The Ranna Valley is characterized by numerous boulder fields with meter-thick silicate rocks. The spaces between these rocks maintain consistently low temperatures, allowing certain insect species to survive here since the Ice Age. Where the cold air escapes, bogs have formed. The Ranna Valley nearly fell victim to the construction of a power plant, but was fortunately designated a nature reserve in 2002. In 2004, it was also designated a Natura 2000 site. [ Contact ](#ttgCollapseKontakt) ---------------------------------- **Naturschutzgebiet Rannatal** Rannatal 4143 Neustift im Mühlkreis Phone [ +43 7284 8155 ](tel:+4372848155) Fax machine +43 7284 8155 - 14 E-Mail [info@urlaub-neustift.at](#mailto) Web [www.neustift-muehlviertel.at/Naturs…](https://www.neustift-muehlviertel.at/Naturschutzgebiet_Rannatal "New window") https://www.neustift-muehlviertel.at/Naturschutzgebiet_Rannatal --- **Contact person** Gästeverein Neustift im Mühlviertel Passauerstraße 14 Phone [ +43 7284 8155 ](tel:+4372848155) E-Mail [info@urlaub-neustift.at](#mailto) Web [www.urlaub-neustift.at/](https://www.urlaub-neustift.at/ "New window") --- **We speak the following languages** German [ Opening hours ](#ttgCollapseOeffnungszeiten) ------------------------------------------------ - always open (24/7) - open to the public [ Arrival ](#ttgCollapseAnreise) ---------------------------------- **Parking**- Parking space: 20 [ Prices ](#ttgCollapsePreise) -------------------------------- - Free entry [ Suitability ](#ttgCollapseEignung) -------------------------------------- - Suitable for groups - Suitable for schools - Suitable for pushchairs - Pets allowed - Suitable for teenagers - Suitable for seniors - Suitable for single travelers - Suitable for families - Suitable for friends - Suitable for couples - Suitable for children **Season**- Spring - Summer - Autumn [ Accessibility ](#ttgCollapseBarrierefreiheit) ------------------------------------------------- Please get in touch for more information. 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