Bogs

About 10 000 years ago when the mainland ice receded Great-Endla Lake covered almost 3500 hectares of the Upland slopes. As the climate became warmer, swamps began to form in the lowest parts of the lakes. The 6 lakes of the nature reserve – Endla, Sinijärv, Männikjärv, Tulijärv, Kaasikjärv and Sinilaugas – are relict lakes of the Great-Endla Lake.

• Right of way: you can pass through and stay on private land from sunrise to sunset without causing disturbance to the owner or damage to the property. 
• If the private property is fenced or posted against trespassing, the landlord’s permission is necessary.
• You can use a non-propelled floating craft to move around internal water-bodies, except on bog lakes and Lake Kõnnu.
• It is permitted to drive your motor vehicle on public roads and pathways.

Iisaku nature centre  (located in the visitor’s centre of the Alutaguse National Park) has a permanent exhibition appertaining to the local nature and sustainable life-style of the area. Different study workshops are also available.

Alutaguse is a border area in many senses. Estonian, Russian and Votic cultures, languages and religions have met and mingled here throughout the centuries. Until the 14th century this area was mainly populated by Votes, with their large tumuli burial mounds situated in Jõuga. In the course of time Votes mingled with Russians at the Narva River and with Estonians in the middle of Alutaguse. An original ethnic group called Poluverniks  was formed in the vicinity of Iisaku, but they are now extinct.

The Smolnitsa Landscape Protection Area (250.6 ha) aims at the protection of the unique dunes of different ages on the northern shore of Lake Peipsi and their varied plant communities.This protected area, approximately 7 km in length and only 200–650 m in width, is a part of the Natura 2000 network and Alutaguse National Park.

The Mäetaguse oak forests and wooded meadows (53 ha) aims to preserve Mäetaguse Esker together with the forest on it, and to restore the semi-natural biotic community of a wooded meadow and a wooded pasture. The area is part of the Alutaguse National Park and Natura 2000 network.

The Jõuga Landscape Protection Area (310 ha) has been established for the protection of the relief, lakes and plant communities, which are unique and offer scientific interest. The area is a part of the Natura 2000 network and part of the Alutaguse national park. 

The formation of the Jõuga lakes took place about 12,000 years ago in the late glacial age. The development of lakes Jõuga started when huge blocks of ice, buried in sand and gravel, melted and, as a result, formed deep hollows.

Kurtna is Estonia’s lake-richest region: there are 40 lakes per 30 sq. km. Kurtna, is beloved recreation area a part of the Alutaguse national park. 

Lake Ahnejärv. Photo: Anne-Ly Feršel

The Iisaku Landscape Protection Area (58,5 ha)  has been established 2018, to protect Iisaku Esker and its forest park. The area is part of the Alutaguse National Park.

The Alutaguse National Park, Selisoo Protected Area  (2,051 ha) values bog and forest communities. The Selisoo Protected Area is a part of the Natura 2000 network.