Dominated by forests and bogs, it aims to protect rare and endangered species, their habitats, and valuable natural landscapes.

Põhja-Kõrvemaa nature reserve was formed in the western part of the former Aegviidu polygon, which had been hidden behind the official name of Pavlov Forest District.

In the 1990s, Estonian Defence Forces were interested to begin reusing some areas of the former polygon now situated on the nature reserve's territory.

In 2001, Estonian Defence Forces central proving ground was established in the eastern part of the former Soviet military polygon.

It is characterized by ice marginal formations and glaciolacustrine plains, the latter of which are now mostly covered by extensive bogs and, to a much lesser extent, fens.

[5] A number of rare or endangered species can be found in Põhja-Kõrvemaa, which is one of the main reasons behind the area's status as a nature reserve.

[5] Põhja-Kõrvemaa is one of the most visited protected areas in Estonia[5] due to the closeness of Tallinn and general good accessibility - in the north the nature reserve is bordered by the Tallinn-Narva highway (E20) and in the west by Jägala-Aegviidu-Käravete secondary road.

Aegviidu, which is located less than 5 km southwest from the nature reserve and is the endpoint of Elron commuter railway line, can be reached in an hour from the center of Tallinn.