| National Parks in Central and East Europe List |
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| Page Type: List Location: Europe | Page By: peterbud, jck Created/Edited: Oct 2, 2007 / Oct 16, 2009 Object ID: 343176 Hits: 7249 Loading... Page Score: 90.67% - 40 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Overview
In the second half of the 19th century it was the first time in history that a country's (namely US) government had set aside scenic lands simply to protect them and to allow all people to enjoy. 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. These days Europe has approximately 360 national parks at the moment. After World War II, national parks were founded. Some countries were rather late with establishing national parks. (introduction by Lolli)
This page has been compiled 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:
Austria
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)
Czech Republic
České Švýcarsko NP |
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Krkonoše NP |
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Krkonoše NP |
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There are 4 national parks in the Czech Republic:
| National Park name | Location
Map of the Czech Republic | What kind of place |
| Šumava NP | Jihočeský kraj | Largest forest complex in Central Europe (together with Bavarian Forest). UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. |
| Krkonoše NP | Liberecký kraj | Mountains - Karkonosze (Snezka, 1602m), post-glacial cirques, tarns, Tertiary peneplain, bizarre granite rocks, vast Krumholtz zone, mountain (mugo) pine, bogs, streams, cascades and waterfalls. UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. |
| Podyjí NP | Jihomoravský kraj | River Dyje. Mountains. Wilderness. Caves. Connected with Thayatal NP in Austria. |
| České Švýcarsko NP | Ústecký kraj | Sandstone rock town - unique rock formations: Prebischtor, Vileminina skála and Rudolfův kámen. Slot canyons. Castle ruins (Šaunštejn, Falkenštejn). |
Pravčická Brána (Prebischtor) - České Švýcarsko National Park |
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Hungary
Bükk NP |
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Balaton Uplands NP
(Hegyes-tű basalt formation) |
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Duna-Ipoly NP |
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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.
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| 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. |
Romania
Map of National and Natural Parks of Romania
There are 12 national parks in Romania. The links below take you to official homepages, with the exception of Ceahlău and Cheile Nerei - Beuşniţa National Parks.
| National Park name | Location | What kind of place |
| Buila-Vânturariţa NP | Central | Spectacular isolated limestone ridge rising above 1800 m. Once, in the Jurassic period, it was a coral reef. Now it is rich in fossils as well as exo- and endokarst formations |
| Călimani NP | North | Extensive massif of volcanic origin, highest of this type in the Carpathian Mountains. A handful of peaks, mostly along the crest of the caldera, exceed 2000 m in elevation (Vf. Pietrosu, 2100 m) and have steep slopes dropping towards the center of the old crater. Interesting rock formations, like the "Twelve Apostles". The "volcanic karst" of these mountains is unique in Europe (sadly, the underground volcanic caves have been 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. |
In Hăşmaş /Hagymás/ Mts.
Photo by hunkan |
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In Bicaz /Békás/ Gorge
Photo by hunkan |
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In addition to national parks, there are 9 natural parks in Romania, some of them well worth mentioning:
| 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
Malá Fatra NP |
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Tatranský NP |
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Slovenský Raj NP |
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Pieninský NP |
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There are 9 national parks in Slovakia:
Map of Slovakia's national parks
| National Park name | Location
See this Map | What kind of place |
| Malá Fatra NP | Žilinský kraj | Carpathians in miniature (Malá Fatra): crystalline main ridge, meadows above mugo pine zone (Veľký Kriváň, 1709m); plus spectacular limestone area glued to its N flank: Veľký Rozsutec, gorges. |
| Muránska planina NP | Banskobystrický kraj | Limestone plateau covered by dense beech and coniferous forest, karst relief. |
| Nízke Tatry NP | Prešovský kraj - Banskobystrický kraj - Žilinský kraj | Largest and second highest range in Slovakia: (Ďumbier, 2043m). Vast forests: bears, wolves, lynxes. Caves (Demänovská jaskyňa Slobody, Demänovská ľadová jaskyňa). And a big ski center at Chopok. |
| Pieninský NP | Prešovský kraj | Low but extraordinary limestone massif of the Pieniny, Dunajec Gorge, rare plants and birds. Medieval monastery of Červený Kláštor. |
| Poloniny NP | Prešovský kraj | Beech and fir-beech forests, mountain meadows. Part of an international (Slovak-Polish-Ukrainian) UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. |
| Slovenský Kras NP | Košický kraj | The most extensive and best developed karst area in Slovakia: Zadielská Dolina, caves, pinnacles, walls. UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. |
| Slovenský Raj NP | Košický kraj - Prešovský kraj | From a distance, a rather low, rolling plateau (Ondrejisko, 1270m). In fact, a paradise of limestone gorges and ravines (Sokol, Suchá, Belá, Piecky and Kyseľ), and waterfalls. Dobšina Ice Cave. SP page: Slovenský Raj. |
| Tatranský NP | Žilinský kraj - Prešovský kraj | Highest range of all in the Carpathians. Consists of three distinct parts: Vysoké Tatry (High Tatras: sizable granite walls, jagged crests, cirques, lakes, no glaciers though.), Zapadné Tatry (Western Tatras: a bit lower, gentler) and Belianské Tatry (Belian Tatras: dolomite and limestone). UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. |
| Velká Fatra NP | Žilinský kraj - Banskobystrický kraj | Smaller and lower (Ostredok, 1592m) copy of the Nízke Tatry. Vast limestone areas, such as Tlsta Nature Reserve. Few tourists except for a couple of spots, like the village of Vlkolínec (UNESCO's cultural heritage site.) |
Velká Fatra NP |
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Slovenský Kras NP |
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Nízke Tatry NP |
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Slovenia
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. |
Ukraine
Uzhanskyy NP |
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Karpatskyy NP |
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Ukrainian & Polish & Slovak |
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The table below contains reserves which are literally called "national nature parks".
| National Park name | Location | What kind of place |
| Azovo-Syvasky NP | South West | Limans (lagoons) by the Azov Sea, interesting wildlife. |
| Desnyano - Starogutskyy NP | North | Floodplain, bogs, pine forests. |
| Hutsulstchina NP | West | Mountains, forests, Hutsul folklore. |
| Karpatskyy NP | West | Highest massifs of the Northeastern Carpathians: forests and polonynas (subalpine pastures). UNESCO Bioshpere Reserve (another page about the Biosphere Reserve). |
| Podil'ski Tovtry NP | West | Forests, grasslands and meadows. Canyons of the meandering Dniester River and its tributaries carved into the plateau of Podolia, caves, deciduous forests. Castle ruins. |
| Shats'kyy NP | North West | Forests, swamps and lakes (including Ukraine's largest and deepest one, Lake Svityaz). UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. |
| Skolivs'ki Beskydy NP | West | Bizarre sandstone formations, montane forest, subalpine pastures. |
| Svyaty Gory NP | East | The name of the park translates as Sacred Hills: green banks of the Siversky Donets River, monastery on the high bank. | Synevyr NP | West | Dense conifer forests, block fields typical of the Horhany (Gorgany) Mts, subalpine pastures. |
| Uzhanskyy NP | West | Subalpine meadows, forest, large carnivores (bear, wolf, lynx). Part of Polish-Slovak-Ukrainian UNESCO Bioshpere Reserve. |
| Vyzhnyckyy NP | West | Carpathian foothills of Bukovyna: forests, meadows, rushing streams, canyons. |
| Yavorivskyy NP | West | Forest-steppe landscapes, historical monuments. |
Other lists of national parks and national reserves and Biosphere Reserves in Ukraine.
Hoverla peak (2061 m) in Karpatskyy National Park |
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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
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