The Alutaguse National Park, Muraka Nature Reserve (13,980 ha) has been founded to protect one of Estonia’s largest and best preserved mire landscapes, protected species and their habitats. The Muraka Protected Area is a part of the Natura 2000 network, and one of the Ramsar wetlands of international importance. 

The Alutaguse National Park,  Agusalu Protected Area (11,003 ha) has been established to protect the intact bog landscape, diversified communities and rare species. The Agusalu Protected Area is a part of the Natura 2000 network, and one of the Ramsar wetlands of international importance.

Puhatu bog is the largest bog area in Estonia. The banks of the River Poruni, which run along the edge of Puhatu bog, host valuable forest sites, similar to “virgin” forests. The Puhatu and Agusalu bog system is one of the very last extensive transitional bog areas in Estonia.

  • Established in 2018, Alutaguse National park´s  44 331 hectares include 11 separate protected areas (mainly in Alutaguse parish): Puhatu, Agusalu, Muraka and Selisoo nature reserves; Kurtna, Smolnitsa, Jõuga, Iisaku, Struuga and Mäetaguse landscape reserves and River Narva low stream limited conservation area.
  • Alutaguse National park was formed to protect and allow access to the extensive bog, forest and coastal landscapes together with our cultural heritage, characteristic to North East Estonia.
  • Alutaguse National Park is affiliated to Natura 2000 - the EU network
  • Try not to leave any traces in the nature.
  • Ask the permission of the owner when being on a marked/fenced private land. Field, plantations and apiaries are not meant for hiking.
  • Use bicycles on roads and paths, use and park motor vehicles (including terrain vehicles and snowmobiles) only on prescribed roads and parking lots.

Alam-Pedja Nature Centre

Jüriküla, Puurmani Rural Municipality, Jõgeva County

In the Kirna study centre in Jüriküla which belongs to the Jõgeva district of the National Defence League, the people protecting the nature and the state are together under one roof as friends. You can reach the study centre by turning towards Jüriküla in the Puurmani bridge on the Tallinn-Tartu highway, approximately 5 km after crossing the bridge, you arrive at buildings surrounded with a fence. The guard of the centre welcomes the visitors gladly and guides them on.

Alam-Pedja is an area with wide swamps, wet forests and flooded meadows and winding rivers. Sparse settlements and low economic activity have allowed these landscapes to develop naturally. Alam-Pedja Nature Reserve has been created to preserve the nature here. Although not one drivable road passes the nature reserve, it is possible to access the area from the Tallinn-Tartu highway in the east, Tartu-Viljandi highway in the south, Vaibla-Meleski-Kolga-Jaani road in the west and Pikknurme-Kamari-Põltsamaa road in the north.

Alam-Pedja Nature Reserve was established on 17 February 1994. The first protection rules of Alam-Pedja were adopted on 3 March 1995. The document “Approval of the protection rules of Alam-Pedja Nature Reserve and Karula National Park and of the description of the outer border of Karula National Park” entered into force on 22 March 1995.

The protection rules of Alam-Pedja Nature Reserve currently valid divide Alam-Pedja Nature Reserve into 4 strict nature reserves, 25 conservation zones and 9 limited management zones.

Throughout time, people have always had a place in the nature landscape of Alam-Pedja. There are two Stone Age settlements known in the area: Siimusaare (on the west coast of former Lake Suur-Võrtsjärv) and Haudemäe (on the north coast). Based on the amount of fishing gear found, it may be concluded that fishing was an important means of subsistence of the people 15th century was the first time Palupõhja Village was mentioned in writing.

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