A kilometre of timber path threads through the forest canopy at Knechtelsdorf 13 in Kopfing im Innkreis, Upper Austria, hovering ten to fifteen metres above the ground. That elevation changes everything. The trees grow enormous around you. The air carries pine resin and something cooler than whatever you left at the car park. WaldEntdeckerWelt opens daily from 10:00 to 17:00, and even a mid-morning arrival gives you time to slow down properly before the afternoon light shifts.
More than thirty stops punctuate the walkway. Rope bridges wobble just enough to make you grin. Balance beams invite a moment of focus. Observation points press you close to bark you would never otherwise touch. The path does not rush you through; it pulls your attention toward things you would ordinarily walk straight past — the particular creak of a branch, a bird conversation happening just above your head, the way resin smells sweeter up here than it does at ground level.
The trail leads eventually to a forty-metre timber tower rising clear above the canopy. Gently sloping ramps make the climb accessible to most visitors. From the top, the Innviertel forests spread in every direction, the Alps suggest themselves on a clear day, and the German border sits faintly visible on the horizon. It is the kind of view that stops mid-sentence conversation.
The descent brings you back to earth — literally. At ground level, a nature playground extends the experience for families: tunnel slides, climbing nets and swings that test your courage. A barefoot path runs alongside, guiding you across bark chips, smooth stones, mud and pinecones. It sounds eccentric and feels immediately restorative. Adults who assume it is purely for children tend to change their minds somewhere around the pinecone section.
The Baumhotel WaldEntdeckerWelt completes the picture. Twenty-one cabin rooms perch roughly ten metres up, each reached by its own small bridge. Warm timber interiors, soft beds and windows framing continuous green make the rooms feel grounded rather than showy. In winter, bio-wood stoves heat the cabins while snow settles on the walkway outside and the forest quiets to a creak and a whisper. Autumn brings its own reward: golden canopy colour and crisp visibility that makes the tower view even sharper. Spring arrivals find fresh greenery before summer crowds build.
Summer days between June and August stay warm and bright, well suited to long canopy walks and full use of the adventure stations. Whatever the season, the after-hours hush — when the path closes and the forest returns to itself — belongs entirely to guests staying in the cabins.
The closest public transport access points sit in the village of Kopfing im Innkreis. Bus lines 813 and 822 serve the Kopfing Götzendorf stop approximately one kilometre from the site, and the Kopfing Gemeindeamt stop approximately 1.3 kilometres away. Visitors arriving by train can reach Zell an der Pram station roughly fifteen kilometres distant, from where onward transport or a taxi covers the remaining stretch. Most visitors arrive by car, and the forest setting makes that the simplest option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the canopy walkway and tower accessible for visitors with limited mobility?
A: The kilometre-long sky path and the 40-metre timber tower are both designed with gently sloping ramps rather than stairs, making them accessible to most visitors. Check directly with WaldEntdeckerWelt before your visit if you have specific accessibility requirements.
Q: Can you stay overnight at WaldEntdeckerWelt, or is it a day-visit only?
A: You can do both. The Baumhotel WaldEntdeckerWelt has 21 treehouse cabins perched around ten metres up, each reached by its own small bridge. Guests staying overnight get the forest to themselves once the public trail closes for the day — a notably different experience from a day visit.
Q: What is the best time of year to visit?
A: Summer (June–August) offers warm, bright days well suited to long canopy walks and full use of the adventure stations. Autumn (September–October) brings golden foliage and crisp air that sharpens the tower views considerably. Spring arrivals find fresh greenery and quieter trails before summer builds. Winter is peaceful rather than spectacular — snow settles on the walkway and the cabins warm up with bio-wood stoves, but confirm current access conditions before travelling in the colder months.
Q: Is WaldEntdeckerWelt suitable for young children?
A: Yes. Alongside the canopy walkway there is a ground-level nature playground with tunnel slides, climbing nets and swings, plus a barefoot path crossing bark, stones, mud and pinecones. The accessible ramps on the walkway and tower also mean younger children can complete the full route without needing to be carried.
Q: How do you get there without a car?
A: Bus lines 813 and 822 serve the Kopfing Götzendorf stop in the village of Kopfing im Innkreis, which is the closest public transport access point. Confirm current timetables locally before travel, as rural bus schedules can vary by season.

Add a review