Losiny Ostrov National Park

Losiny Ostrov National Park is located in the eastern part of Russia near the city of Moscow.  Actually, part of the park actually lies within the Moscow boundaries.  The park covers an area of 45 square miles (116 sq km).  Combined with Sochinsky National Park, the two are the oldest national parks in Russia.

Over 80% of the park is blanketed with forest with 27% of that falling in the city limits of Moscow.  The forest is the third-largest wooded area associated with a city of similar size.  The only larger forests are found in Table Mountain National Park in Cape Town, South Africa, and Pedra Branca State Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

This exquisite wilderness located in the proximity of such a major metropolitan area is one of the things that makes Losiny Ostrov so special.  It is astounding that both local Russians and international visitors can be engulfed in the wilderness within mere moments of being entangled in the hustle of city life in Moscow.

Apart from the forest which accounts for the majority of the national park, visitors will also have chances to see lake, river, and swamp habitats.  The park is separated into three functional regions:

• 47% of Restricted Protection – closed to the public
• 27% of Excursion – open to established routes and tours
• 26% of Recreational – open to the general public

The elevations of the park vary from 479 to 574 feet (146 to 175 m) creating a lowland terrain that serves as the watershed for the Moskva River and the Klyazma River.  The rivers, swamp, and forest areas serve as an excellent habitat for wildlife.

Some of the hopeful wildlife sightings moose, beaver, weasel, wild boar, varied hare, muskrat, and red fox.  There are 186 species of birds that either nest or migrate through the national park.  The kestrel, goshawk, hobby falcon, and red-footed falcon are some of the highlight bird species.