Mustoja Nature Park, Nature park in Setomaa Rural Municipality, Estonia
Mustoja Nature Park is a large protected area in southeastern Estonia that includes forests, swamps, valleys, hills, moors, and sandy areas. The landscape changes across the site, with different habitats shaped by rivers and natural terrain variations.
During the tsarist period, the area served as a cavalry training ground, and later it became an artillery range for Estonian forces. This military use shaped the land for several decades before it became a protected nature area.
The park reflects how people in this region have lived with the land for generations, using traditional ways to care for forests and wetlands. These practices shape how the landscape looks and functions today.
The park is located near a border area and some sections are difficult to reach. It is helpful to check local access rules before visiting and to be aware of any restricted zones.
The landscape here was shaped by glacial processes that left behind distinctive landforms rare in the region. These formations create habitats for unusual plant and animal species that are difficult to find elsewhere.
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