Blooming steppe on Spitzerberg mountain

At 302m, Spitzerberg mountain pulls focus in the otherwise flat landscape. In good weather gliders frolic about the sky and the adventurous try their luck at paragliding. Since 1931 enthusiasts have been taking advantage of the prime conditions on Spitzerberg mountain and there is still a flying school in operation at the foot of the mountain today. But don’t expect concrete landing strips – you land on the grass here.

Because, as part of the Hundsheim mountain nature reserve, Spitzerberg mountain is an exceptional natural gem. The Pannonian climate allows for a lot of sun and little rain and only special varieties of flora - like feather grass, iris, sand iris and the famed clove pink which only occurs in this region - can grow on the austere, rocky ground. In May the rare African burning-bush blooms, casting its seeds meters away with a loud bang each summer. But this pink beauty is deceptive; contact with its essential oil in combination with the sun’s rays can cause a rash.

The animals are also unique here. If you are lucky you can see gophers, shimmering green lizards, colourful butterflies, giant grasshoppers and magnificent beetles.

Care is required to maintain this gem. If the prized grasslands are not grazed upon or mowed they turn into bushland. The light-craving steppe plants and warmth-loving insects are then deprived of the open stretches of ground. Therefore sheep and goats are used to tend the earth and the local population actively assist in its maintenance by cutting back the growing bushes. Which they don’t mind doing since Spitzerberg mountain is unique.