Mittelsteighütte Primeval Forest Area

The Mittelsteighütte was declared a sanctuary over 100 years ago. In 1939 the forest was finally placed under nature protection. The 45 hectare mountain mixed forest of spruce, fir and beech is an important retreat for species of primeval forest relics. These are animals, plants and fungi that require jungle-like structures as a habitat and a high proportion of dead wood.

I really liked this primeval forest area near the Zwiesler Waldhaus. Small unpaved, natural paths, but mostly free of fallen trees. My tip: take enough time to enjoy the untouched nature here. In contrast to the way to Schwellhäusl, there were hardly any people to be found here.

Old trees and tree fungi, both of considerable size. It is interesting that even the spruces here can grow to around 2-3m thick, as long as you let them (for comparison: the beeches do not grow significantly thicker than in free-standing locations in parks, apparently because of the high level of competition for light).