Russia is the largest country in the world with a total area of 17 million square kilometers (4.2 billion acres). It is so large that it takes over 1/7th of the entire world, and is a transcontinental country with territories found in both Europe and Asia. More than three-fourths of the Eurasian country is found in Asia while the remaining 23% is in Europe. The European part takes up almost 40% of the entire land area of Europe.
There are so many things that Russia is famous for and vodka is probably on top of the list. Russia is one of the coldest countries in the world, so vodka was originally made to keep the people warm. According to historical accounts, Russians have been drinking vodka since the 14th century. Vodka is popular among Russians, and they even prescribe it for minor ailments like a sore throat.
Russian culture is rich, which attracts tourists from all over the world. It is the birthplace of Leo Tolstoy, noted as one of the greatest writers of all time, and ballet is the nation’s most famous art form. Architecture is also notable in this country where it is mostly characterized by domes and bright colors.
Such a large country also entails large natural resources. That is why the country protects around 48 national parks with varied natural forms. Here are the top 10 largely undiscovered national parks in Russia that tourists should visit:
1. Anyuysky National Park
Noted for its ecological significance just as much as its natural beauty, this park in Khabarovsk Krai was established in 1999. The river that runs along the perimeter of the park, has the shape of a horseshoe. The park comprises the basin of the Anyuy River, part of the Central Sikhote-Alin mountain range, Sredneamurskaya Plain, valleys, canyons, and some wetlands. There are so many things to see in this park.
The park has been described to have high endemism, which could be linked to its unique climate and the various types of topography that breed different kinds of habitats. Among the trees that thrive in the mountains and valleys are the Korean pine and Mongolian oak.
When it comes to animals, the Amur tiger is noted to be a resident of the area. The wetlands are an important habitat for migratory birds. Some vulnerable species thrive in the park, which includes the Asian black bear, long-tailed birch mouse, and mountain weasel.
The park is also an important area in preserving culture because of the archeological sites it protects. The sites provide cultural evidence of the practice of the Nanai people, the original inhabitants of the area. The interior of the park also has some historical significance, with the main attraction being the Arsenyevo, which was a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp in the 1940s. The same area was a place of exile in the 1940s.
2. Bikin National Park
Ten percent of the entire population of Amur tigers live in this park located in Primorsky Krai. The park also protects an old-growth forest, which is among the few remaining in the world.
The park also protects some 600 people belonging to the indigenous people of Russia, known as the Nanai and Udeghes. These people continue to practice the traditional way of life, and part of the park has been designated as their home. The Nanai and Udeghes people survive by eating what the forest offers, which is why the park is important for their survival. They also live in the proximity of the Bikin River Basin, which is also a source of food.
Also known as Siberian tigers, the Amur tigers used to be found in Russia, China, and some parts of Korea. Nowadays, most of them just roam around the Russian Far East. Some of them settled in Bikin. Other animals in the park include brown and Himalayan bears, various species of deer, minks, moose, muskrats, sables, and wild boars. There have been 194 species of birds recorded in the park.
3. Khvalynsky National Park
The park comprises of raised plateau and hills of the Volga Uplands. The forested landforms have conifer forests with a perfect mix of oak and linden trees. The centerpiece of this park created in 1994 is the Khvalynsky Ridge, which is primarily made of chalk and marl. The plateau shows evidence of extensive erosion over the years leading to the natural creation of ravines. The presence of different landforms also resulted in the formation of different ecosystems.
The different ecosystems also have different thriving plant life. In the case of the landforms in higher elevations like the Belenkaya, the highest mountain in the park at 369 meters, contains upland forest trees. Five other mountains are over 250 meters high and share the same flora as Belenkaya. The lower surfaces have pine and watershed forests. More than a third of the trees in the entire park are oak trees while 30% comprises of linden trees. Close to 1,000 vascular plants have been documented in the park and 26 of them are considered endangered.
Among the animals that can be spotted in the park are beavers, European adders, foxes, hares, and wolves. Among the birds in the park are ospreys, white-tailed eagles, and saker falcons, which are considered endangered species.
There are various hiking cum tourism paths to follow in the park including the Travel on the Bottom of an Ancient Sea (English translation), which is also a geological tour of sorts, and another that leads to the Monk’s Cave.
4. Mariy Chodra National Park
Plant lovers will consider this park a paradise. This park in the Mari El Republic was established in 1985 to protect rare plant species in Russia. There have been more than 115 rare plant species documented in the park.
The elevated parts of the park are covered with various trees like linden, maple, and oak. Of course, these are also interspersed with some rare species. The valleys also have these three species along with aspen, elm, pine, and spruce. There is also an area in the park covered by eutrophic herb fens.
Thriving trees also mean an abundance of birds. Among the raptors found in the park are the buzzards, black kites, and golden eagles. Other species of fowls are the black and hazel grouses, capercaillie, European teal nests, and mallards. As for the other terrestrial animals, there are beavers, chipmunks, ermines, European hares, European polecats, martens, moose, and otters.
One of the park’s famous attractions is the Pugachev’s Oak, which is believed to have existed since the Year 1500. It is 26 meters high. It was named after military leader Yemelyan Pugachev (1742-1775). Tales have it that Pugachev brought his men to safety in this oak tree during the Battle of Kazan (1774). Other attractions of the park are the water bodies: Glukhoye, Kichiyer, and Yalchik Lakes and the Ilet and Yushut Rivers. Tourists may also hike the Maple Mountain.
5. Onezhskoye Pomorye National Park
Unlike most national parks, tourists will need a permit to visit this park, which aims to protect forests and coastal landscapes. The park is on the Onega Peninsula, which makes the surrounding White Sea part of the park. It was established in 2013.
The White Sea is abundant in animal life. Beluga whale frequents the White Sea. It freezes during the winter, though. The shallow water of the White Sea is also being frequented by the Eurasian brown bear, which eats fish. The population of the Eurasian brown bear in the park is quite abundant. At the Onega Bay, the rock part serves as a popular resting area among freshwater seals. Other animals that can be spotted in other parts of the park are foxes, moose, and gray wolves. Onega Bay is also popular among water birds.
The park also has a vast area made of dunes peppered with some thriving plants.
6. Pripyshminskiye Bory National Park
The park is in the Tugulymsky District of the Sverdlovsk Oblast. It is named after the Pripyshminskiye forest that is prominent in the park. The forest comprises mostly of birch and pine trees. A tenth of the area comprises marshes, ponds, hayfields, and pastures.
The park has been marked for strict nature protection because of its large population of trees, which call fall victim to illegal logging activities. There are several eco-trail developed in the park for tourists to experience more than just an aesthetic tour of the park, but also an educational one as well. Tourists can also enjoy some berry and mushroom picking in the area. There are also campsites for tourists who want to stay over for a night in the park.
7. Russian Arctic National Park
The water from this park has its amazing blue hue that cannot be duplicated. The park was established in 2009 and it traverses the areas of Arkhangelsk Oblast, Franz Joseph Land, and Novaya Zemlya. It covers a large but remote part of the Arctic Ocean.
The Franz Josef Land is an archipelago owned by the Russian government, solely occupied by the military. There are 192 islands in this archipelago. Authorities recognized that the area is a viable piece of land, which can be designated as a national park if only it could be cleaned up. President Vladimir Putin once described the area as a “giant rubbish tip” but also acknowledged its tourism potential. Over 100,000 tons of waste including barrels of oil, old vehicles, and aircraft, among others, were removed from the area since cleanup started in 2012.
Tourists may expect to see some bowhead and gray whales in the waters, and polar bears in the snow-capped land. Walrus and seals are also abundant in this remote park, and one of the largest bird colonies in the north is also located in this protected area.
8. Saylyugemsky National Park
Authorities moved for the protection of this area in the Altai Republic to protect the vulnerable species of snow leopard. There are less than 10,000 snow leopards in the world and they are only found in Central and South Asia. The population is also expected to decline in the following years, as this species has become one of the most poached animals. At the park, authorities documented between 15 and 20 snow leopards and 50 more in the buffer areas.
The leopards roam in the park because of the abundance of the ibex or the Altai-Sayan mountain goat, which is the snow leopards' main prey. The park is home to about 3,500 ibexes. There are also Siberian mountain goats in the park. Scientists also found a rare Saylyugemsky bear in the park, in 2015. This species of bear has been thought to be extinct in the last 30 years. Other animals in the park are various species of deer and elk. There is also a ridge that has become a breeding area for Saker falcons.
The park is generally made up of mountains with some steppes, a desert area, and forests.
9. Shantar Islands National Park
Tourists will enjoy the best of both worlds in this park: marine and land resources. Shantar Islands comprises of 15 uninhabited islands surrounded by the Sea of Okhotsk. The islands are mountainous with rugged cliffs—great for hiking and serious mountain climbing. The marine park is great for diving and snorkeling, or just plain mammal watching. The waters are popular among the different species of whales like bowhead, beluga, gray, killer, and minke.
But the most common park residents are Steller sea lions, which are considered a near-threatened species of sea lions.
10. Zyuratkul National Park
The park is located in the southern part of the Satkinsky Raion. It is named after the lake and mountain range within the park. Its centerpiece is the Zyuratkul Lake, a mountainous body of water. Meanwhile, the Zyuratkul mountain range is also a popular hiking area for tourists. There are available boardwalks for easy trekking. The boardwalk is also an excellent viewpoint.
This park provides a different and serene vista of Russia unlike any other.