Yugyd Va National Park

Yugyd Va National Park is a large protected area in the Komi Republic of northwestern Russia, established in 1994 to preserve extensive taiga, mountain and tundra ecosystems. It is recognised for its intact wilderness, old‑growth forests and alpine landscapes.

The park supports long river valleys, rugged ridges and wide boreal forests that provide habitat for species adapted to northern environments, and it is valued for wilderness recreation such as trekking, river travel and wildlife observation. Its remoteness and scale mean trips are typically multi‑day and require careful preparation.

Yugyd Va was inscribed as part of the Virgin Komi Forests UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognising its conservation importance for European boreal ecosystems and virgin forest tracts.

Geographically the park occupies a large portion of the northern Ural Mountains within the Komi Republic, forming a transition zone between European Russia and the Ural mountain spine.

• UNESCO status: Designated in 1994 and covering a very large area, it forms part of the Virgin Komi Forests UNESCO World Heritage site as a prime example of untouched taiga and mountain ecosystems.
• Size and remoteness: The park spans a very large and remote territory - roughly 18,900 square kilometres - so access typically requires logistical planning and local guides for multi‑day treks.