National Parks in Central and East Europe

Europe

National Parks in Central and East Europe

Europe

jck

peterbud

yatsek

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National Parks in Central and East Europe

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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) with additional help from yatsek. 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
(Hohe Tauern NP)

Grosses Wiesbachhorn
(Hohe Tauern NP)

Gesäuse NP
(Ennstaler Alps)

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.

Gesäuse National Park (Ennstaler Alps)

Czech Republic

Krkonoše NP

Krkonoše NP

Krkonoše NP

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). SP page about the area: National Park České Švýcarsko

Spring near Pravicicka Brana - Prebischkegel

České Švýcarsko NP

České Švýcarsko NP

České Švýcarsko NP

Hungary

Bükk NP

Balaton Uplands NP
(Hegyes-tű basalt formation)

Duna-Ipoly NP

Aggtelek NP

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.

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.

Clicking the park names in the table below will open their official websites.

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)

The Danube Bend from Prédikálószék (Duna-Ipoly NP)

Romania

Retezat National Park.

Rodnei Mountains National Park.

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 Tertiary caldera, highest massif of the volcanic Carpathians (Vf. Pietrosu, 2100 m). Its crest drops steeply toward the inner cone turned into a sulphur mine in C20... Interesting rock formations, such as the Twelve Apostles. Unique volcanic "karst", hard to find elsewhere in Europe (sadly, the caves have been destroyed by mindless mining.)
Ceahlău NP	Northeast	Mountain massif made of sedimentary rocks (mainly sandstone). Erosion has created stunning rock formations, many of which have inspired mystic legends.
Cheile Bicazului - Hăşmaş NP	Northeast	Picturesque limestone area with unique geomorphology and biodiversity. Top attractions: the deep Bicaz/Békás (HU) Gorge connecting Transylvania with Moldavia; Lacul Roşu/Gyilkostó (Killer 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 in the middle course of the Nera River. Gorges, caves, sinkholes, waterfalls.
Cozia NP	Central	This part of the Făgăras mountain group is small in area, but displays spectacular, steep, wild limestone walls. The 15 km long gorge of the Olt River about 1300 m below the summits. Dense forest, except for a rather bare top part.
Domogled - Valea Cernei NP	Southwest	Another karstic region of outstanding natural value. Its "hot caves" hide unique ecosystems. The warmer climate, closer to the Mediterranean, enables several rare species (including scorpions and poisonous snakes) to thrive. Gorges, waterfalls, rock walls suitable for climbing.
Jiu Defile NP	Southwest	Lower montane forests (beech, hornbeam, linden), resembling those of the Balkans, along the long canyon of the Jiu River. Rich flora and fauna, e.g. the nose-horned viper.
Munţii Rodnei NP	North	Extensive crystalline massif, highest in the mountains separating Transylvania from Moldavia (and Ukraine). Several peaks over 2000 m (highest: Pietrosul Rodnei, 2303 m). Beautiful, peaceful alpine meadows. The area around Pietrosu Mare is a 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 steppes).
Piatra Craiului NP	Central	Royal Rock (Hungarian: Királykő, German: Königstein) - jagged ridge of Jurassic limestone between the Făgăraş and the Bucegi mountains, near the city of Braşov /Brassó/. Impressive karst formations, rich wildlife. SP page: Piatra Craiului.
Retezat NP	Southwest	Beautiful mountain range with more than 50 peaks over 2000 m (highest: Peleaga, 2509 m). Rich in tarns (82 altogether), both the largest and the deepest of Romania's tarns 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 gorge of the Caraş River. Caves.

Ceahlău NP

Bicaz/Békás Gorge

Hăşmaş-Bicaz NP

Piatra Craiului NP

Domogled-Valea Cernei NP

Bucegi Nature Park

Cheile Nerei-Beuşniţa NP

Maramureş Nature Park

Apuseni Nature Park

Apart from the national parks, there are 9 nature parks in Romania, some of which are well worth mentioning:

Nature Park name	Location	What kind of place
Apuseni NP	West	Amazing karst region in the Apuseni Mountains /HU: Erdélyi-szigethegység/. Collapse sinkholes, caves (some with underground rills), ice caves, gorges, losing streams, resurgence springs.
Bucegi NP	Central	High plateau (above 2500 m: Omu) raised along fault lines, with abrupt walls and jagged spurs (limestone climber's paradise), south of the city of Braşov.
Munţii Maramureşului NP	North	Vast, unpopulated mountain range north of Rodnei Mountains, along the Ukranian border. Deep valleys, interesting geology.
Porţile de Fier NP	Southwest	The "Iron Gate" /HU: Vaskapu/ gorge, where the Danube River exits the Carpathian Basin to flow between the plains of Wallachia and the Danubian Plain of Bulgaria.

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

While it is declared as neither 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.

Rodnei Mountains NP

Piatra Craiului NP

Retezat NP

Apuseni Nature Park

Slovakia

Natural arch at the entrance of the valley Vrátna Dolina, Malá Fatra

Malá Fatra NP

Tatranský NP

Slovenský Raj NP

Pieninský NP

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

Slovenský Kras NP

Nízke Tatry NP

High Tatras in wintertime (Tatranský NP)

Slovenia

Triglav

Triglav from the distance

Skrlatica from Triglav

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

Ukraine

Karpatskyy NP

Karpatskyy NP

Karpatskyy NP

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.