Rannatal

From Oberkappel in the Mühlviertel to the confluence with the Danube at the village of Rannamühl, the Rannatal runs right through Upper Austria. The narrow and steep section of the valley between the Rannastausee wall and the mouth of the Danube is an invaluable nature reserve

The steep slopes are partly forested and partly consist of unwooded boulder streams, which are extremely rare at these altitudes. The natural conditions make cultivation almost impossible here, which is why this natural area has the character of a pristine landscape. The diversity of lichens and mosses in the Ranna Valley is outstanding. Five new lichen species alone have been scientifically proven to exist here for the first time. The dam wall has almost dried up the river, especially in the upper part of the forest. Only further down in the valley do streams from side valleys bring in significant amounts of water again, which find their way to the Danube via the smooth stones and rocks of the riverbed. The primeval forests of the Ranna Valley also provide ideal habitats for many animal species, such as the eagle owl and the black stork.