Waldschule in Esternberg

The forest school in Esternberg ..... is interesting at any time of year!

On the approximately 3 km long forest tour near the village of Vollmannsdorf in Reisdorf, visitors can learn a lot about the forest and its inhabitants on numerous boards.

Since the beginning of September 2018, the municipality of Esternberg has been offering a new attraction for family and school excursions, hiking days and project weeks - the Esternberg Forest School.
The forest school was founded in 1994 by the then headmaster of the primary school, Hans Schererbauer, and was also awarded the Upper Austrian Environmental Protection Prize at the time. After the signposting of the individual tree species became somewhat outdated over time, a dedicated project team was formed in 2017 on the initiative of the municipality of Esternberg, which not only renewed the signposting of the trees, but also expanded the forest school with many new attractions and knowledge stations. The "new Esternberg Forest School" has been open to the public since September 2018.
This offer is primarily aimed at all schools and kindergartens that want to give their children a "hands-on" biology lesson and teach them about the importance of the forest in all its facets. Of course, the Forest School is also highly recommended as a programme item for a family outing.
The forest school is accessible at all times and free of charge.

Tips for the tour:

Start the hike at the welcome board: the bird cherry, the scent of Douglas fir, horse chestnut, hazel, a mound of pumpkins or nettles covered with voracious black caterpillars greet you.

New nature is growing in many small areas of forest that were once plagued by storms, with marvellous mosses and tiny ferns growing very close to the path, berries and mushrooms tempting you to pick them, little frogs hopping around and woodpeckers drumming holes in the trees. The leaves, needles, cones and bark of the trees invite you to compare them and, with a magnifying glass, you can discover exceptionally rich animal life in old tree stumps! .

In the magnificent mixed forest, visitors are particularly fascinated by the beech trees, which are over 100 years old. Take a look up at the tall larch, search for old oaks and even younger lime trees, birches and hornbeams. Beech cankers or Chinese beards, woodpecker holes and other serious tree injuries are easy to spot.

In the "forest dome" you feel like you are in a cathedral. This idyllic spot with a few benches invites you and your companions to linger or take a short break.

A narrow path leads us back out to the edge of the forest and we return to the starting point. We are accompanied by the snowball bush, weeping cherry, numerous alders, lime trees, willow, rowan and large oaks.

In 1994, the forest school won the environmental protection prize of the province of Upper Austria.
in 1994. For further information or guided tours, please contact the Esternberg municipal office.