Bear Brumca in the snow

Hibernation until Easter


The BEAR SANCTUARY has closed for the bears' hibernation and will open again for visitors in spring 2025.

opening hours
Bear Mark trying to catch a peanut with his right front paw in the pond

bathing fun for the bears


at BEAR SANCTUARY Arbesbach

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Bear Mitko in his tiny cage in Slovenia

Five Immediate Steps to Protect Slovenia’s Captive Bears


Do not wait – Mici, Mitko, Tim, and Masha are relying on your support

Please help

BEAR SANCTUARY ARBESBACH

The BEAR SANCTUARY Arbesbach offers brown bears from bad keeping conditions an animal-friendly home since 1998. At present, three brown bears live on a total area of 14,000 square meters.

Bear Mark looking out of his den. It  seems as if he smiles.

Opening Hours

We are closed for the winter (bears are hibernating)

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Bear Vinzenz

Your Visit

All information for your unforgettable visit to BEAR SANCTUARY Arbesbach

Find out now
At the sanctuary

Arrival

BÄRENWALD 
Arbesbach 
Schönfeld 18 
3925 Arbesbach

Google Maps
Bear Miri

Tickets 
& Rates

Adults: 8,00 € 
Children (6-14): 5,50 €
Reduced fee: 6,00 €

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Guided tours at BEAR SANCTUARY Arbesbach

Guided Tours

First-hand information and stories about brown bears and animal welfare 

Find out More
BÄRENWALD Arbesbach

The Sanctuary

There are lots of exciting things to explore and experience for big and small bear fans

Learn more

How to get there

The BEAR SANCTUARY Arbesbach is located in the Waldviertel near the Upper Austrian border.
From Arbesbach on the B 124 direction Linz, you reach the BEAR SANCTUARY 3 km after the village center Arbesbach.

Address:
BÄRENWALD Arbesbach gGmbH
Schönfeld 18
A-3925 Arbesbach
 
From Vienna via car:

  • drive in the direction of Krems
  • from Krems on the route B37 to Rastenfeld
  • then on the B38 until Groß Meinharts
  • there turn left and drive to Arbesbach

From Linz via car:

  • Option 1: drive on the motorway A7 and
  • then on the route S10 in the direction of Freistadt
  • then continue on the B38 in the direction of Zwettl (Lower Austria)
  • in Groß Gerungs drive in the direction of Arbesbach
     
  • Option 2: drive on the motorway A7 in the direction of Freistadt
  • take the exit "Unterweitersdorf"
  • then continue on the B 124 in the direction of Königswiesen
     

Find out how to get to the BEAR SANCTUARY via public transport here!
In addition to the convenient arrival, there is a 50% discount on your entrance ticket on presentation of the ticket! 

ACCOMODATIONS

Simandelmühle

Mrs Johanna Auer
Rammelhof 36, 3925 Arbesbach
Tel.: +43-2813-581
e-mail: simandlmuehle@gmx.at
www.urlaubambauernhof.at/simandlmuehle

Privatzimmer - Ferienwohnung Winkler

Schloßberg 132, 3925 Arbesbach
Tel.: +43-2813-248 or +43-2813-248-446
e-mail: kontakt@pension-winkler.com
www.pensin-winkler.com
(next to castle ruin Arbesbach)

Gästehaus Huber

Kamp 25, 3925 Arbesbach
Tel.: +43-2813-7290
e-mail: gaestehaus.huber@wvnet.at
www.gaestehaus-huber.at

Roo’n Lodges Kolm

Schönfeld 183925 Arbesbach
Tel.: +43 2813-242
e-mail: office@roon.at
www.roon.at

Gasthaus Kerschbaummayr

 Linzerstr. 6, 3925 Arbesbach 
Tel.: +43-2813-230 
e-mail: office@kerschbaummayr.at
www.kerschbaummayr.at

Frühstückspension Fam. Reichard

Linzerstr. 2, 3925 Arbesbach 
Tel.: +43-2813-7007 
e-mail: office@reichard-gmbh.at
www.reichard-gmbh.at

Urlaubsreich

Berta & Martin Lugmayr
Arbesbach 60
3925 Arbesbach

Tel.: +43 660 2813 001
e-mail: info@urlaubsreich.at
www.urlaubsreich.at

Kirchenwirt Lichtenwallner

Altmelon 2, 3925 Altmelon 
Tel.: +43-2813-302 
e-mail: info@gasthof-lichtenwallner.at
www.gasthof-lichtenwallner.at

Gasthof Einfalt

Kinzenschlag 11, 3920 Groß Gerungs
Tel.: +43-2812-8320
e-mail: gasthof@einfalt.net
www.gasthof-einfalt.at

Ferien Hof Stanzl

BIO Bauernhof Grünbach 9, 3911 Rapottenstein
Tel.: +43-2828-8319
e-mail: ferienhof@stanzl.at
www.stanzl.at

Gasthof & Pension Seidl

Pretrobruck 17, 3925 Arbesbach
Tel.: +43-2813-410
e-mail: info@baerenhof-kolm.at
www.gasthofseidl.at

PLACES TO VISIT

In addition to its wonderful landscape, the Waldviertel has many impressive and interesting places to visit.

But see for yourself. We have listed some travel tips for you here:

Hammerschmiedekamp - Blacksmith Museum Arbesbach

Gemeinde Arbesbach
Tel.: +43-2813-7000
email: gemeinde@arbesbach.at
www.arbesbach.at

Castle Rappottenstein

Rappottenstein 85, 3911 Rappottenstein 
Tel.:  +43-2828-8250 
email: burg@atf.at 
www.burg-rappottenstein.at

OUR BEARS

Three bears live in the BEAR SANCTUARY Arbesbach. Most have a sad prehistory.

Bear Emma

ALL ABOUT BEARS

Bears Emma and Erich

MATCHING PAIRS

Bear Erich having fun in the pond

SPECIAL MOMENTS

Recent Updates on our Website

Rasberry bushes

Animal-Friendly Gardening In Autumn

How to prepare your flora so it's fauna-friendly for winter


More
Bear Tom

FAQ'S ON BEAR SANCTUARY ARBESBACH

All your questions and our answers about your visit to BEAR SANCTUARY ArbesbachMORE
 


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Two bears sniffing gently at each other

Tips for Mother's Day from BEAR SANCTUARY Arbesbach

 9 animal-friendly Mothers Day ideas that come from the heart


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Bear Brumca sits in the grass.

Bear Brumca turns 30 years old

Congratulations to this lovely bear 


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Bears Vinzenz and Brumca touching each others noses

 THANK YOU for HELPing US
 


To offer our bears freedom and a home!

Donate Now
Austrian Donation Seal

IN GOOD HANDS

FOUR PAWS has received the donation seal again this year. FOUR PAWS  is the only Austrian animal protection organization since its introduction in 2001.
Find out more about the donation seal here!

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