Natura 2000 Feistritzklamm - Herberstein

Nature jewel & Natura 2000 area. The Herbersteinklamm is an epigenetic breakthrough valley. It stretches from Stubenbergsee to St. Johann bei Herberstein. The Feistritz flows through the last narrow valley here. To this day, the main part of the gorge has remained free of traffic. Its use has always been limited to forestry and the zoo. Only the ironworks at the foot of the castle temporarily brought life into the gorge in the mid-17th century. The current nature reserve was therefore able to fully develop as a natural area and was left to itself for long stretches. The European protected area Feistritzklamm Herberstein itself is characterized by its great scenic beauty. Particularly noteworthy are the natural gorge forests, the dry-warm rock slopes, and the stock of old oaks, ashes, and sweet chestnuts, which is unique in Styria. This tree population offers an optimal habitat for endangered beetle species such as the stag beetle, the oak longhorn beetle, and the hermit beetle, all of which are EU-protected species. Other rare animal species also find a retreat in Herberstein, such as the greater horseshoe bat, a bat species, as well as the grey and black woodpecker and the eagle owl. Among the plants, the occurrence of the Herberstein primrose stands out, which is one of the endangered species in Styria.