Lahemaa National Park

The National Park Lahemaa (Estonian Lahemaa Rahvuspark ) is located in northern Estonia, about 70 kilometers east of the capital, Tallinn. It covers an area of ​​72,500 hectares ( including 25 090 hectares on the sea ).

The park was founded in 1971 as the first national park of the Soviet Union in order to receive the North Estonian landscape on the marine ecosystem and biodiversity as " Estonian heritage." Here are some endangered species such as the osprey, golden eagles, bald eagles, red grouse, black stork and mink have found a refuge. Here you will also find one of the last populations of the freshwater pearl mussel ( Margaritifera margaritifera ) in the Baltic States. In the national park is home to, among others, also about 150 elk, lynx and beaver 10-15 who are working on the numerous streams and small lakes a perfect area.

The central management of the park is located in an outbuilding of the former good of the family of the PAHLEN in place Palmse. There is a natural history museum illustrates the topography, history and biodiversity of the region.

The National Park Lahemaa divided into different protection zones, those who are on paths or roads for walkers, cyclists and motorists accessible all year round, those that are seasonal (especially in the spring breeding period of waterfowl) locked, and finally in total reserves, of people may not be accessed, and where nature is left to itself. In recent years, efforts have been undertaken in order to make the area more attractive for sustainable tourism. On the restored since the 1980s historic former goods Palmse, Sagadi and Vihula opened after obtaining the Estonian Independence hotels and restaurants. In the coastal towns emerged new holiday quarters.

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