Stotzinger Heide

The Stotzinger Heide is a picturesque nature reserve that particularly captivates with its diverse landscape of blooming meadows, open heathlands, and smaller wooded areas. Here, visitors will find numerous hiking and walking trails that invite them to discover the local flora and fauna. The heath is an ideal place for nature observations, birdwatching, and peaceful breaks amidst untouched nature, offering a special experience in every season, be it the colorful sea of blossoms in spring, the tranquility in summer, or the golden autumn hues. Furthermore, the Stotzinger Heide invites visitors to mindfulness and relaxation activities such as yoga or nature meditation, making it a perfect destination for all who wish to combine nature, exercise, and relaxation.The 29 ha protected habitat of Stotzinger Heide (Hutweide, communal pasture) is located between Stotzing and Loretto at an altitude of 250 m above sea level on the NW-facing slope of the Leithagebirge. The geological subsoil consists of fossil Leitha limestone, which emerges at several points.The area is covered by low-growing dry grasslands and lean meadows, with only a few shrubs and isolated islands of woody plants in between. The predominant plant communities in the area are upright brome and sheep's fescue semi-dry grasslands. In places with rock outcrops and minimal soil cover, small areas of calcareous pioneer grasslands have formed. The widely dominant plant species in the area is upright brome (Bromus erectus); furthermore, furrow fescue (Festuca rupicola) and dwarf sedge (Carex humilis) are community-forming. The sparse and low-growing grass cover allows a variety of small but extremely floriferous herbs to thrive, such as slender-leaved flax (Linum tenuifolium), common globularia (Globularia punctata), spiny restharrow (Ononis spinosa), Siberian bellflower (Campanula sibirica), and bearded cow-wheat (Melampyrum barbatum). A colony of the European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus) is widespread in the area.In the upper part of the Hutweide, the sculptures "Die Brücke" (The Bridge), "Wasserskulptur" (Water Sculpture), and "Brunnenskulptur" (Fountain Sculpture) by the Stotzing artist Heidi Tschank can be visited.