National Parks in Central and East Europe

List

National Parks in Central and East Europe

Page Type: List

Location: Europe

Page By: jck, peterbud

Created/Edited: Oct 2, 2007 / May 20, 2008

Object ID: 343176

Hits: 4302

Page Score: 91.14% - 36 Votes

Vote: Log in to vote

Table of Contents

Overview

The first time in history that a federal government actually set aside scenic lands simply to protect them and to allow all people to enjoy it was in the US during the end of the 19th century. This developed into Yellowstone becoming the first official national park a few years later, in 1872. In Europe the first national parks were a set of nine parks in Sweden in 1909. Europe has approximately 359 national parks at the moment. After World War II, national parks were founded all over the world. Some countries were rather late with establishing national parks. (introduction by Lolli)

This page has been complied by jck (A, CZ, SK) and peterbud (HU, RO, SI, UA). It is part of a bigger family, presenting Europe's National Parks on SummitPost. These sister pages are:

National Parks of North Europe
National Parks in Northwest Europe (under construction)
National Parks in Northeast Europe
National Parks in West Europe

Austria

Gößgraben valley
(in Hohe Tauern)
Photo by Blaze

Grosses Wiesbachhorn
(in Hohe Tauern)
Photo by Sebastian Hamm

Gesäuse mountains
(in Ennstaler Alps)
Photo by Vid Pogachnik

There are 7 national parks in Austria:

Official site of national parks in Austria (in German)

Official site of national parks in Austria (Info in English)

National Park name	Location Map of Austria	What kind of place
Donau Auen NP	Lower Austria - Vienna	One of the largest unbuilt floodplain area in Europe. Danube river, marshy plains. Over 700 species of vascular plants. Ramsar site, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Gesäuse NP	Styria	Mountains - Ennstaler Alps, up to 2369m (Hochtor). Embraces two massifs: the Buchsteinmassiv and the Hochtorgruppe.
Hohe Tauern NP	Carinthia - Salzburg - Tyrol	Highest mountain range in Austria- Hohe Tauern with three main groups: Glockner Group, Venediger Group and Ankogel Group. Very rich wildlife.
Neusiedler See - Seewinkel NP	Burgenland	Neusiedler Lake, rippling reed beds, sweeping meadows with flat saltwater pools. Wildlife - mainly birds (endangered species). UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Nockberge NP	Carinthia	The oldest mountain region in Austria - Nockberge/Gurktal Alps.
Oberösterreichische Kalkalpen NP	Salzburg - Upper Austria	Mountains - Oberösterreich Forealps. Peaks: Hohe Nock (1963 m, the highest), Ötscher (1893 m).
Thayatal NP	Lower Austria	River Dyje. Mountains. Wilderness. Caves. Connected with National Park Podyji in Czech Republic.

Czech Republic

Prebischtor - České Švýcarsko National Park. Photo by Frankie

There are 4 national parks in Czech Republic:

National Park name	Location Map of Czech Republic	What kind of place
Šumava NP	Jihočeský kraj	The largest forest complex in Central Europe (together with Bavarian Forest). UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Krkonoše NP	Liberecký kraj	Mountains - Karkonosze (Snezka - the highest peak), entails lakes in post-glacial depressions, steep cliffs, lively streams forming numerous cascades and waterfalls, and sub-crown plateaux. UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Podyjí NP	Jihomoravský kraj	River Dyje. Mountains. Wilderness. Caves. Connected with Thayatal NP in Austria.
České Švýcarsko NP	Ústecký kraj	The unique geomorphology of the sandstone rock towns (Prebichtor, Vileminina skála and Rudolfův kámen). Stone castles (Šaunštejn, Falkenštejn).

Hungary

In Bükk NP
Photo by peterbud

In Balaton Uplands NP
(Hegyes-tű basalt formation)
Photo by peterbud

In Duna-Ipoly NP
Photo by hunkan

Hungary has 10 National Parks ("Nemzeti Park"). The caves of Aggtelek, the Hortobágy Puszta, and the Fertő (Neusiedler) Lake landscape area are also UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Official site of national parks in Hungary (in Hungarian, providing the same links as below)

This interactive map shows protected areas (not just National Parks) of Hungary. If you switch over to the Hungarian version (click the flag in the upper right corner), you can download a zipped kmz file for Google Earth (by clicking the ball in the upper-right corner) which will show all the protected areas of Hungary (National Parks can be highlighted by checking the "Nemzeti Park" box only in the "védett területek" folder). English version of the kmz file is under construction, I suppose.

Another map is available here (NP-s are denoted by red).

Links of the table below lead to Hungarian versions of the newest editions of National Park websites. For some of them, English versions are available, for some not yet (work in progress). If the link takes you to the Hungarian version, click the UK flag in the upper right corner to check out the current status.

National Park name	Location	What kind of place
Aggtelek NP	Northeast	Karst region, neighbor of Slovak Karst NP (actually these two are one geomorphological entity). Baradla cave is the largest stalactite cave of Europe. UNESCO World Heritage site and Biosphere Reserve. Flora and fauna of Aggtelek NP album on SP.
Balaton Uplands NP	West	Northern and western areas from Balaton Lake. Transdanubian volcano remains: Badacsony and others.
Bükk NP	Northeast	Limestone mountains and forests. Rich in karst formations. Lot of caves, many of which is only available to experienced cavers. Nice view on the High Tatras in clear winter days... SP albums: Pictures from Bükk, Bükk in summer, Bükk in autumn
Duna - Dráva NP	South	Floodplains of Danube and Drava rivers. A wide range of habitats, from open water surfaces through various types of deciduous forests to dry rock grasslands and sandy grasslands. Mecsek and Villány Mountains (these are just nature protection areas).
Duna - Ipoly NP	North	The picturesque Danube Bend. Pilis (UNESCO Biosphere Reserve), Visegrád and Börzsöny Mountains. River Ipoly /SK: Ipeľ/ area. Szentendre Island (Danube).
Fertő - Hanság NP	Northwest	The southern, mostly boggy part of Lake Fertő /A: Neusiedler See/ and Hanság (marshes, moors and bogs). Bird paradise (Ramsaar area since 1989). The lake and its surroundings are UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1979.
Hortobágy NP	East	The most characteristic part of the Great Hungarian Plain: the Puszta. Biggest grassland in Central Europe. The formation was finished by extensive grazing activities. Horses, grey cows, a multitude of birds (i.e.: great bustard, but many migratory birds as well). UNESCO World Heritage site and Biosphere Reserve. First NP of Hungary (est. 1973).
Kiskunság NP	Central	Kiskunság's Puszta, also UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is made up by seven different units. Alkali lakes and sand dunes. Major resting place for migratory birds (great birdwatching place). Horses.
Körös - Maros NP	Southeast	Scattered areas of protected wetlands by the Körös and Maros rivers. Lizards, birds (i.e.: upopa epops).
Őrség NP	Southwest	Woods, hills. Special traditional architecture.

Badacsony (Balaton Uplands NP). Photo by Toc

The Danube Bend (Duna-Ipoly NP). Photo by peterbud

Romania

In Hăşmaş /Hagymás/ Mts.
Photo by hunkan

Piatra Craiului /Királykő/
Photo by yamesu

In Bicaz /Békás/ Gorge
Photo by hunkan

There are 11 national parks in Romania. The links below take you to official homepages, with the exception of Ceahlău and Cheile Nerei - Beuşniţa National Parks.

Map of National and Natural Parks of Romania

Landscape in the Rodnei Mountains /HU: Radnai-havasok/. Photo by peterbud

National Park name	Location	What kind of place
Călimani NP	North	Extensive massif of volcanic origin, the highest of this type in the whole Carpathian range. A handful of peaks reach above 2000 m (highest one: Vf. Pietrosu, 2100 m), mostly on ridges of once-upon-a-time craters, with steep walls. Interesting rock formations, like the "12 Apostols". The "volcanic karst" of these mountains is unique in Europe (sadly, the underground volcanic caves were destroyed by mindless sulphur mining...).
Ceahlău NP	Northeast	Mountain massif made up of sedimentary rocks (mainly sandstone). Erosion left behind stunning rock formations, many of which had inspired mystic legends.
Cheile Bicazului - Hăşmaş NP	Northeast	Picturesque limestone area with unique geomorphology and biological diversity. Top attractions: the deep Bicaz /HU: Békás/ Gorge connecting Transylvania with Moldavia; Lacul Roşu /Gyilkostó/ - a lake formed in 1837 by a huge natural rockslide; and the superb rock towers of Piatra Singuratica /Egyeskő/.
Cheile Nerei - Beuşniţa NP	Southwest	Unpopulated karst area of the middle section of Nera river. Gorges, caves and sinkholes.
Cozia NP	Central	This gneiss massif (south of Făgăras mountains) has small area, but its steep and wild walls give a robust and spectacular appearance. The 15 km long gorge of Olt river is about 1300 m below the top of the massif. Dense forests, except for the rather bald top region.
Domogled - Valea Cernei NP	Southwest	Another karst region with high natural value. Its "hot caves" have unique ecosystems. The special mediterranean-like climate of the area enables several rare species (including scorpions and poisonous snakes) to live here. Gorges, waterfalls, rock walls.
Munţii Rodnei NP	North	Extensive crystalline massif, the highest in its region. Several peaks are over 2000 m (highest one: Pietrosu Mare, 2303 m). Beautiful and peaceful alpine meadows. The area around Pietrosu Mare is also UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Rodnei Mountains page on SP.
Munţii Măcinului NP	East	Hilly region with a special mixture of ecosystems (sub-mediterranean and Balkanic forests with steppe).
Piatra Craiului NP	Central	A small, but interesting limestone massif on the eastern end of the Southern Carpathians, near the city of Braşov /Brassó/. Robust karst formations. Piatra Craiului page on SP.
Retezat NP	Southwest	Beautiful mountain range with more than 50 peaks over 2000 m (highest one: Peleaga, 2509 m). Rich in tarns (82 altogether), the largest and the deepest one in Romania both can be found here. Retezat NP is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Retezat Mountains page on SP.
Semenic - Cheile Caraşului NP	Southwest	Semenic Mountains and the area of the Caraş river gorge. Caves.

Peleaga peak (2509 m) in the Retezat Mountains. Photo by peterbud

In addition to National Parks, there are further 9 natural parks in the country, some of them highly worth to be mentioned here:

Nature Park name	Location	What kind of place
Apuseni NP	West	Amazing karst region of the Apuseni Mountains /HU: Erdélyi-szigethegység/. Caves, some with underground creeks: Cetăţile Ponorolui /Csodavár/, Cetătea Rădesei /Aragyásza/. Ice caves: Scărişoara /Szkerisóra/, Focul Viu /Eszkimó/ and others. Gorges: Cheile Galbinei /Galbena-kőköz/, Cheile Someşului Cald /Szamosbazár/.
Bucegi NP	Central	High mountain massif south from Braşov. Several peaks above 2000 m (highest one: Omu, 2506 m).
Munţii Maramureşului NP	North	Extensive unpopulated mountain range north from Rodnei Mountains, south from the Ukranian border.
Porţile de Fier NP	Southwest	The "Iron Gate" /HU: Vaskapu/ gorge, where the Danube river exits the Carpathian Basin towards the plains of Wallachia.

The remaining nature parks: Balta Mică a Brăilei, Comana, Grădiştea Muncelului-Cioclovina, Mureş Floodplain, and Vânători - Neamţ.

While it is neither declared as national, nor nature park, the Danube Delta receives primary protection: it is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Ramsar area and UNESCO Natural World Heritage as well.

Slovakia

Jahňaci štít (in High Tatras)
Photo by Tomek Lodowy

Ždiarska vidla (Belian Tatras)
Photo by pauli82

Vysoká (in High Tatras)
Photo by peterbud

There are 9 national parks in Slovakia:

Map of national parks in Slovakia

National Park name	Location Map of Slovakia	What kind of place
Malá Fatra NP	Žilinský kraj	Mountains: Veľký Kriváň (1709), Veľký Rozsutec - symbol of Malá Fatra. Gorges.
Muránska planina NP	Banskobystrický kraj	Forested plateau-like region.
Nízke Tatry NP	Prešovský kraj - Banskobystrický kraj - Žilinský kraj	Second highest mountain range in Slovakia: three two-thousanders (Ďumbier-2042, Chopok-2024, Derese-2004). Caves (Demänovská jaskyňa Slobody, Demänovská ľadová jaskyňa). Big ski center (Chopok).
Pieninský NP	Prešovský kraj	Mountains - Pieniny, Dunajec Gorge, rare plants and animals. Červený Kláštor.
Poloniny NP	Prešovský kraj	Mountain meadows. UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Slovenský Kras NP	Košický kraj	The most extensive and most developed karst area in Slovakia: Zadielské Dolina, caves, rocks. UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Slovenský Raj NP	Košický kraj - Prešovský kraj	A plain with high plateaus (Ondrejisko, 1270m). Canyons and ravines (Sokol, Suchá, Belá, Piecky and Kyseľ), waterfalls (the highest -Závojový vodopád- 80m). Dobšina Ice Cave, Prielom Hornádu gorge. Slovenský Raj page on SP.
Tatranský NP	Žilinský kraj - Prešovský kraj	Mountains - the highest part of Carpathian Mountains. Divided into three parts: Vysoké Tatry (High Tatras), Zapadné Tatry (Western Tatras) and Belianské Tatry (Belian Tatras). UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Velká Fatra National NP	Žilinský kraj - Banskobystrický kraj	Mountains up to 1592m (Ostredok). Limestone and dolomite rocks, caves (Harmanecká jaskyňa), canyon-like valleys, forests. Donovaly (well known ski center). The folk architecture of Vlkolínec.

Autumn in the Belian Tatras. Photo by pauli82

The High Tatras in wintertime. Photo by pauli82

Slovenia

Triglav
Photo by Vid Pogachnik

Triglav from the distance
Photo by Vid Pogachnik

Skrlatica from Triglav
Photo by Velebit

There is only one national park in Slovenia, but that's worth many...

National Park name	Location	What kind of place
Triglav NP	West	Awesome mountains of the Julian Alps. Tons of information can be found about this area on the Julian Alps SP page and its several children pages. Triglav NP is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Triglav group from Vrh nad Skrbino. Photo by alex_vega

Ukraine

Hoverla peak (2061 m) in the Northeastern Carpathians. Photo by Martin Tinak

The classification of protected natural areas in Ukraine is not very clear. The table below contains only those which are explicitly called "national parks".

National Park name	Location	What kind of place
Desnyano - Starogutskyi NP	North	Floodplains, pine forests and bogs.
Karpatskyi NP	West	Forested mountain massifs of the Northeastern Carpathians. UNESCO Bioshpere Reserve (another page about the Biosphere Reserve).
Podil'ski Tovtry NP	West	Forests, grasslands and meadows. Canyons of Dniester River, lakes and caves. Historical monuments.
Shats'kyi NP	Northwest	Forests and lakes (including Ukraine's largest and deepest one, Lake Svityaz). UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Yovorivskyi NP	West	Forest steppe with historical monuments.

More extensive lists of national parks and national reserves and Biosphere Reserves in Ukraine.

External Links

List of protected areas on parks.it:

Parks, Reserves, and Other Protected Areas in Austria

Parks, Reserves, and Other Protected Areas in Czech Republic

Parks, Reserves, and Other Protected Areas in Hungary

Parks, Reserves, and Other Protected Areas in Romania

Parks, Reserves, and Other Protected Areas in Slovakia

Parks, Reserves, and Other Protected Areas in Slovenia

Parks, Reserves, and Other Protected Areas in Ukraine

Images



[ View Gallery - 30 More Images ]