Hiidenportti National Park

Hiidenportti National Park
IUCN category II (national park)
Location in Finland
Location	Kainuu, Finland
Coordinates	63°52′22″N 029°03′31″E
Area	45 km2 (17 sq mi)
Established	1982
Visitors	12000 (in 2009)
Governing body	Metsähallitus
Website	www.outdoors.fi/hiidenporttinp

Hiidenportti National Park (Finnish: Hiidenportin kansallispuisto) is a national park in Sotkamo in the Kainuu region of Finland. Hiidenportti National Park was established in 1982 to preserve the region's wilderness. A mosaic mix of mires and dry forests is typical landscape in this national park. The park covers 45 square kilometres (17 sq mi).

Two thirds of the area is coniferous forest. The near-natural state forests are 100–150 years old on average. The last loggings were made in the beginning of the 20th century.

The most well-known attraction of the park is the Hiidenportti (literally "Hiisi´s gate") gulley with vertical cliffs.

Fauna

The area is calm enough for big carnivores. Regular dwellers include brown bear, wolverine and lynx. The gray wolf is an occasional visitor. The American beaver lives in the Porttijoki river and its traces can be seen along the river. In the bird fauna northern species are common, such as the brambling and the rustic bunting; also the Siberian jay can be seen in the area. The capercaillie and hazel grouse are the most abundant fowls. Rare species include bean goose, common crane, osprey, black-throated diver, great grey owl, and red-flanked bluetail. The great grey owl is also pictured in the park's emblem.

In a basic research conducted in 1992, a total of 164 big and 186 small butterfly species were identified. Among others, Catocala adultera, the emperor moth, and the endangered Xestia sincera were seen.

See also

• List of national parks of Finland
• Protected areas of Finland

External links

• Media related to Hiidenportti National Park at Wikimedia Commons
• Outdoors.fi – Hiidenportti National Park