Frastanzer Ried

Frastanzer Ried is a protected wetland in the Austrian Alps near the village of Frastanz in Vorarlberg. It covers 39 hectares of damp meadows and small pools on flat ground. The site lies at the foot of the Rätikon range where the Rhine valley meets the mountains.

The area was declared a Natura 2000 site in 2015 to safeguard three rare plants and ten animal species. Protection was extended in 2022 when it became a special conservation area. Among the protected plants are the marsh gladiolus, slipper orchid and verdant hummock-moss. Birds include the snipe, red-backed shrike and honey buzzard. Amphibians such as the yellow-bellied toad and great crested newt also live here.

Visitors walk along wooden boardwalks that wind through wet meadows and alder carrs. In spring the pools reflect the sky and the orchids appear above the water. In summer dragonflies hover over the sedge beds while the great crested newt hides among the pond plants. The boardwalks keep feet dry and allow close views of the rare flora and fauna without disturbance.