Paanajärvi National Park. Lake Paanajärvi

Have you ever wanted to escape to nature? In a place as far away from the bustle of the city as possible. IN modern world few such places remain. One of them will be discussed below.

(Total 36 photos)

1. Everyone has heard about the Republic of Karelia and its most popular sights, but not everyone knows the place with the Finnish name Paanajärvi - a specially protected park in the very north of the republic, in the Loukhi district, where the population density is 0.57 people / km². cellular absent in the park. Here a person is left alone with nature, which gives quite unusual sensations, which are complemented by the lack of electricity and running water, but first things first.

True connoisseurs of untouched wilderness

2. The park was opened for visiting in 1992. Until that time, the territory of 103 thousand hectares was closed and was under the supervision of border guards, which made it possible to preserve the pristine beauty of these places. Today, the park receives a limited number of visitors for several reasons.

3. Firstly, the tourist zone is equipped with a small number of residential houses, and the territory allocated for tent camps also has its limits. Thus, a limited number of guests can be in the park at the same time. By peer review, no more than 200 people per 5 thousand hectares. So it is necessary to book the time and place in advance, and practice shows that it is better to make a choice 3-4 months before the trip.

4. Secondly, not everyone is ready to spend their holidays away from civilization. The nearest grocery store is in the village of Pyaozersky, 70 km from the checkpoint, but given the quality of the road, one trip will take 4 hours, so full set food for the entire period of stay is better to bring with you. In addition, the assortment in the store is very modest.

5. Thirdly, poor quality road leading to the park. After the turn from the village of Loukhi, a real test for the suspension of your car will begin. The road has its own characteristics, for example, in some sections there are tree trunks lying across, high stones sticking out of the ground, and sometimes stumps. You need to be extremely careful in such areas, especially if you are not driving an SUV.

But these factors will not scare away a real connoisseur of pristine nature, since, according to the park workers, they have regular visitors who come here from year to year. Indeed, it is safe to say that this place is worthy of a second visit.

6. One of interesting features parka: pretty resting here big number Finns, although they also have their own Oulanka park, bordering Paanajärvi. It would seem, why would Finns come to Russia and live in such conditions? The fact is that the territory of the Oulanka park is too ennobled and the Finns, tired of civilization, want to get closer to nature. And although there are many wild places in the Russian outback, Paanajärvi is closest to the Finns. As the park staff say: "In Oulanka [from frequent touching] all the stones are polished."

Atmosphere of "autonomous life"

8. Residential houses for guests are quite cozy and pretty. They are log cabins with a capacity of 3 to 20 people. Inside each house there is a potbelly stove. Bed linen is issued upon registration at the visitor center of the park. Food is cooked on a fire, for which you first need to chop wood.

9. "Kruglyaki" are located in the woodsheds next to the houses - the park administration provides guests necessary quantity firewood and other equipment, including dishes. The water supply in the park is “natural”, since there are a great many rivers and streams in Karelia. They also did not deprive the territory of the park. So water for drinking and cooking can be taken from a nearby river. Near each tourist camp there is an equipped access to the river for collecting water.

10. As for cleanliness and hygiene, this was also taken care of: each residential house has its own toilet attached. There is also a bath - either one per house, or one for two houses. After fetching water, chopping firewood, preparing food, and refreshing yourself, there are plenty of activities you can do. We list the most interesting sights.

Lake Paanajärvi

11. Lake of the same name with a length of 21.5 km and maximum width 1.5 km (maximum depth - 128 m). A tourist path passes through the lake to the old village, from which only the foundation of the school and a few logs of the water mill have been preserved. The village consisted of several farms and in its heyday had about 700 inhabitants. It had its own police station, 3 schools, a post office, a hut for the sick, several shops, a bank branch and ceased to exist in 1944. Now this place is interesting because there is a picturesque Mäntykoski waterfall.

12. There are two ways for tourists to get to Myantyukoski. The first, most interesting (and the only one before the opening of the tourist season) is renting a boat and traveling on your own. The second - on a common boat with a capacity of 20-30 people.

Of the 21.5 km of the lake, only 16 km are open to tourists. This is enough to see the waterfall, but then the official boat will not carry you. It is better not to explore the rest of the lake by boat, as you will not have enough fuel and at some point you will have to row with oars. It is worth mentioning that when renting a boat on your own, you will be asked to sign papers about the briefing. After a short instruction on the features of engine control on a boat, you will be allowed to sail on your own. If you do not return 8 hours after sailing, the park staff will go in search of you.

13. Not far from the waterfall there is another of the attractions - the Red Rock, or Ruskeakallio (the effect of red rocks is achieved due to stones overgrown with orange lichen). The trout route also passes through the lake. This fish from the salmon family belongs to noble breeds and is listed in the Red Book. Finns who come to Paanajärvi always try to catch at least one such fish. Their goal is simple - a photo for memory. After that, the fish is usually released. Locals say that it is not so easy to catch a trout.

14. After a rather difficult trip across the lake and a walk to the waterfall, you can rest and refresh yourself. Fire in the park is allowed to make only in strictly designated areas. They have everything you need for a halt: a firewood shed with firewood, an ax, an equipped fire pit, a gazebo with a table in case of rain.

Mount Nuorunen

15. It is considered the highest in Karelia (576 meters). From the top, you can see a significant part of Karelia and a thin “stripe” of Finland. At the top there is a rich vegetable world, and in order to climb it, you need to walk 21 km, and only in one direction!

16. A steep ascent begins only at the end of the path, but most of the route runs through swamps, swamps, streams and forests teeming with mosquitoes.

17. Experienced travelers advise taking rubber boots with you, but it is difficult to walk such a distance in rubber boots, so you need to change your shoes. Needless to say, there are much fewer guests on this route than visitors in more equipped parts of the park. Not everyone will agree to such a test.

18. In winter, you can climb the mountain on a snowmobile - experienced employees will take you to the top with a breeze.

19. But if you decide on an independent "feat", then you should not deviate from the path further than 5 meters, otherwise there is a chance of easily losing it. The path is so narrow and so it merges with the monotonous landscape. Solo travelers should be especially careful.

The park workers have a story about a lost tourist from Moscow fresh in their minds: a man decided to walk to the top alone, and in the end he was found a few days later, but he was already in a less optimistic mood than before the hike.

20. However, at the base of the mountain there is an equipped place for parking and a tent camp. It is suitable for those who decide to stretch the pleasure and take a walk for two days.

21. There are several seids at the top, but this one is the most pronounced.

Kivakkakoski waterfall

23. Located on the Olanga River. It is a series of rapids stretching for a length of about 100 meters. With a total drop height of about 12 meters, Kivakkakoski is considered the largest unregulated waterfall in Karelia.

24. The stream of seething water is so noisy that it can be heard for a couple of kilometers, and so powerful that a huge amount of small splashes hover over it in the form of a cloud, so that in sunny weather a rainbow can almost always be observed above the waterfall.

25. During spawning, the brown trout rises against the current of the Olanga, so that if you carefully peer into the streams of water, you can become a happy witness to the scene when the fish, emerging from the seething stream, tries to overcome the force of the waterfall. The energy of the water here is so powerful that even after a couple of hours of being on the shore, you don’t want to leave here at all.

Mount Kivakka

26. The third largest mountain in Karelia with a height of 499.5 meters. Translated from Finnish, its name means "Stone Baba". This is a place that offers a breathtaking view of Pyaozero. The top of Kivakki is more accessible than the top of Mount Nuorunen.

27. The path to the top is about 4.5 km and includes places to rest. Kivakka is included in most of the must-visit tourist routes.

28. This is a truly peaceful place, which, according to the locals, has a "white" energy (unlike Mount Vottovaara, which the locals associate with dark forces).

29. On Kivakka, as well as on other Karelian mountains, there are seids - huge blocks mounted on small pebbles - "stands".

30. Small pebbles are arranged in such a way that allow the main boulder to remain stable for many hundreds of years.

31. The age of these structures is so great that it is now very difficult to determine their meaning and purpose. Until now, there is no consensus on why all this was created. There is an assumption that the Saami (the ancient inhabitants of Karelia, who were engaged in fishing and hunting) set seids on the high shores of the seas and lakes so that they could be seen from afar.

32. Among the Saami, it was not the stone itself that mattered, but the deity living in it, helping in crafts. It was assumed that the souls of dead ancestors were infused into the stones. The seidas were sacrificed. As a rule, these were the tails or heads of fish. Women were not allowed to see the seids, and men approached the stones on their knees.

33. Stones resembling a person in shape were especially revered. For example, this one looks like an old lady?! Perhaps, in honor of this old woman, the Finns called the mountain "Stone Woman".

34. The surface of the mountain, like everything in Karelia, is covered with swamps. The swamps at the top of the mountain are called hanging swamps. There are quite a lot of them on the flat tops of the local mountains.

35. Nevertheless, some tourists from year to year come to these places for the sake of communicating with such “friends”.

36. Having already driven several tens of kilometers from the borders of the park, I suddenly realized that there was a pause in the car, everyone was strongly impressed by what they saw, scrolling in memory those, unfortunately short-lived, moments of being in the arms of hospitable Karelian nature.

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It was organized in 1992, on May 20. The main purpose of its creation is to preserve the unique natural complexes of the basin Olangi rivers And Lake Paanajärvi, use them for scientific, educational, recreational and environmental purposes.

The park is located in the northwest Republic of Korea, not far from the Arctic Circle, in the Loukhsky district. Paanajärvi Park borders on the Finnish national park "Oulanka", formed in 1956. total area the park is equal to 103.3 thousand hectares. Forest lands occupy 75.5% of the protected area (78 thousand ha).

Paanajärvi National Park and its climate, topography and general information

In accordance with the design decisions of the land, the territory of the national park is divided into 5 functional zones with different regime use and protection:

• Reserve regime zone - 18% (19.0 thousand ha);
• Recreational use zone - 69% (71.6 thousand hectares);
• Educational tourism zone - 5% (5.2 thousand hectares);
• Special regime zone (border strip) - 7% (6.9 thousand ha);
• Visitor service area - 1% (0.8 thousand ha).

Within the territorial boundaries of the park dominates cold climate , which is characterized by a severe and long winter, a short frost-free period. The average annual temperature is equal to 0 °C. July is considered the warmest month (+15°C), while January and February are the coldest months (-13°C). IN winter time the south-western direction of the wind prevails, in the summer - the north-east. From 500 to 520 mm of precipitation falls annually in the park. The height of the snow cover, as a rule, is 70-80 cm, but often exceeds one meter.

In the protected area there are mountains that are among the ten highest in Karelia. This Mount Kivakka(499.5 m), as well as the mountain Mäntyutunturi 550.1 m high and mountain Lunas 495.4 m in height. Local attractions include Fjeld Nuorunen- a mountain, the height of which is 576.7 m. In the territory of Karelia, this mountain is the highest. On the steep mountain slopes there are unusual "hanging" swamps.

In the park and its environs there are large geological objects and individual monuments, which are of great scientific value. Layered intrusions are among the objects of world importance. Zipringa And Kivakka, the oldest system of glacial deltas Olangi-Tsipringi rivers, section of the Paanajärvi-Kandalaksha deep fault, Paanajärvi gap, Nuorunensky granite massif.

unique natural object is Lake Paanajärvi. Its dimensions are 1.4 km wide and 24 km long. At the same time, the depth of the lake is 128 m. It belongs to the deepest small lakes of our planet. The lake valley is surrounded by rather high mountains, which create a special microclimate. IN winter period cold air masses move from the mountains to the lake valley. At severe frosts the temperature difference sometimes reaches 20 °. In winter, the northern lights are observed.

Paanajärvi National Park and its flora

Flora is diverse . It is much richer than in the nearby plains. Back in the middle of the 19th century, many rare plant species were discovered in the protected area, so many generations of Russian and Finnish naturalists Paanajärvi considered the national park to be a botanical Mecca.

Currently, 570 species of vascular plants are registered in the park, which is 95% of the diversity of species of the northern taiga subzone of Karelia. 450 species of lichens and 283 species of mosses grow in the protected area. The Red Book of Karelia includes 67 plant species.

Here are arcto-alpine and arctic species typical of the highlands and the tundra zone. Virgin forests predominate, occupying more than 60% of the park land. Water bodies account for 10.6%, swamps - 12.5%. small plots are occupied by treeless mountain-tundra communities, common on the highest peaks, as well as secondary meadows. IN national park spruce forests dominate - they make up more than 68% of the area covered with forests. About 6%. occupied by soft-leaved plantations, 26% - pine forests.

Paanajärvi National Park and its wildlife

IN Paanajärvi National Park 217 species of vertebrates live, of which 36 species are mammals, 160 birds, 3 reptiles and amphibians, 17 fish, 1 cyclostomes. , squirrel, Norwegian and forest lemming, vole (dark, red, red-gray, red), housekeeper vole, gray rat, muskrat, house mouse, wolf, raccoon fox, water vole, pine marten, American mink, dog, otter , wolverine, elk, reindeer.

The avifauna of the park is no less rich. There are 119 species of birds in the protected area of ​​the park. The most common are typical taiga species. The White-throated Thrush, White-throated Thrush, European Bluethroat and Bluethroat nest in the park. The protected area is also inhabited by northern taiga and arctic species: tap dance, baby bunting, grey-headed chickadee, kuksha, three-toed woodpecker, hawk-owl, dandy, buzzard, loot, scoter.

Among the birds that have ecological optima in the southern latitudes, lentils, starlings, blackbirds, badger warblers, gray warblers, rattlesnakes, crested tit, great tit, wryneck, wood pigeon, black-headed gull, woodcock, lapwing are represented.

Endangered and rare species include the following species: lesser spotted woodpecker, horned lark, little flycatcher, chough-tree, small-tailed godwit, tie-tailed sandpiper, white-tailed sandpiper, slutok, black-tailed woodpecker, scoter, black-throated loon, black-throated and red-throated loon, white-throated thrush, wood dove, and tawny owl , xpyctan, hobby, snowy owl, gray owl, eagle owl, common crane, kestrel, merlin, whooper swan.

In reservoirs Paanajärvi National Park valuable species of fish live: smelt, European grayling, vendace, whitefish, char, brook trout, brown trout. IN Lake Paanajärvi there are various, which are relics of the ice age.

national park"Paanajärvi" (Republic of Karelia, Russia) - exact location, interesting places, inhabitants, routes.

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The Republic of Karelia, located in the northwest of Russia, is a famous land of wild forests, countless lakes and rivers, a favorite place for fishing and ecotourism. Paanajärvi National Park is located in the very north of Karelia, near the border with Finland, and, despite the harsh climate, is accessible to the public all year round. The nature of these places is sung in many Karelian songs - covered dense forests the hills breathe clean, slightly damp air, fast streams run down from the mountains, you can see “eyelashes of spiky fir trees above blue eyes lakes." The tranquility and beauty of Paanajärvi are amazing: although up to 3 thousand tourists come here a year, the park's ecosystem remains intact, and the landscapes seem to be an echo from the pre-civilization era.

Since 1992, the park has been recognized as a protected area, so there is not a single settlement on its territory, and access to two-thirds of the reserve is closed to tourists.

What to see

Paanajärvi is a great place for hiking and outdoor activities. Paths and main attractions are marked with signs, tent camps and simple wooden huts for overnight stays are organized. There are several routes on the territory of the reserve, some of them will take only one day, others - up to a week; in winter, snowmobile trails are added (equipment can be rented on site), and in summer, part of the tours runs along the lakes.

The route to Nourunen peak passes through the mountain tundra - 21 km of ascent through marshland surrounded by stunted trees and mosses. This is the highest point in Karelia, offering a breathtaking view of the Karelian and Finnish natural beauties. Mount Kivakka is lower, but it is easier to get to it - only 5 km along well-maintained trails. Small but very deep lake Paanajärvi is the cleanest reservoir full of fish and framed by picturesque wooded shores. Fishing on it and some rivers is allowed under a special license, which is issued in the visitor center of the park. The loud and wide Kivakkakoski waterfall forms picturesque cascades on the Olanga River, it is also included in the main park routes. Throughout the territory you can meet squirrels, hares and moose, which are not at all afraid of humans.

Practical information

Address: Karelia, Loukhsky district; the visitor center of the park is located in the village of Pyaozersky, st. Friendship, 31. Coordinates: 66° 9′ 45″ N, 30° 32′ 37″ E. Website.

How to get there: by private transport - along the highway St. Petersburg - Murmansk to the village of Loukhi, then 110 km to the west to the village of Pyaozersky; by bus from St. Petersburg, Petrozavodsk or Loukhi - by appointment at the visitor center of the park.

Opening hours: the visitor center is open on weekdays from 9:00 to 17:00, staying in the park is allowed daily, check-out on the last day is until 22:00. Cost: from 200 to 1000 RUB per day, depending on the chosen program. Prices on the page are for October 2018.

The Paanajärvi National Park is located near the Arctic Circle, in the Loukhi region of the Karelian Republic. In the west, the border of this protected natural area coincides with the state border of Russia and Finland, as well as with the border of the Finnish National Park "Oulanka".

Area: 104,473 ha.

The protected area of ​​the national park is located in the highest part of Karelia, in the spurs of the Maanselkya ridge. The picturesque landscapes of the park include mountain peaks, gorges, mountain rivers with waterfalls and rapids, lakes, swamps, as well as spruce and birch forests.

Among the attractions of the park is the highest mountain of the Finnish mountains Nuorunen, on top of which is the largest seid in Karelia - a place where the ancient Sami worshiped pagan gods.

The nature of the national park is exceptionally diverse. Paanajärvi Park, due to long-term geoclimatic changes, warming and cooling, has become unique place, where you can meet both southern and northern plants. In addition to firs, pines and birches growing on mountain slopes, willow, alder, mountain ash, juniper and bird cherry are found in the lowlands near the water.

In the valley of the Olanga River, pines grow over 400 years old, and some of them even reach 600 years. More than half of the territory of the park is covered with virgin northern boreal (taiga) forests. This rare natural complex is of great importance, because in other places such forests have been completely or partially cut down, which has led to the extinction of many species of plants and animals.

Bears, reindeer, wolves, foxes, hares, lynxes, wolverines, elks, martens, squirrels, otters, minks, weasels and ermines are found on the territory of the Paanajärvi National Park. There are also American minks, muskrats, beavers, arctic foxes and Norwegian lemmings.

In Paanajärvi Park, rare species of birds such as whooper swan, gray crane, bean goose, capercaillie, black-throated diver, mergansers, as well as birds of prey golden eagle, white-tailed eagle and osprey are common.

Holidays in Paanajärvi National Park

Vacationers can book accommodation in a hut or a tent site on the official website of the national park. When booking, you can also rent boats, sports equipment, barbecues, etc.

Fishing in Paanajärvi

Perch, roach, pike, burbot, motley gobies, minnows and relic smelt are found in clean, cold and deep water bodies. There are also brown trout, grayling, whitefish, vendace, trout and char. The climate and water are especially suitable for brown trout, which can grow to weigh up to 10 kg or more.

Fishing in the waters of the park is allowed only in strictly defined places.

Rivers and lakes

In the national park, in addition to large lake Paanajärvi, which is 23.5 km long and 1-1.5 km wide, has more than 120 lakes, about 40 of them are quite large, with an area of ​​more than 100 hectares. Most of the lakes are formed in rock faults, so they are narrow, long, deep and with steep banks.

The large river Oulankajoki flows into Lake Paanajärvi (which flows out of the lake called the Olanga River), as well as the smaller rivers Sovajoki, Mäntyjoki, Astervajoki, Malinajoki and Seläkäjoki.

On the Olanga River, not far from the mouth, there is the largest unregulated threshold in Karelia, about 12 m high. The sound of water on this threshold is heard for several kilometers. On the section of the Olanga River from Paanajärvi to Pyaozero there are 12 more rapids interspersed with picturesque reaches.

At the confluence of the Olanga River in the Kuma reservoir, there is a large area of ​​forest with dead trees, which was flooded back in the 60s as a result of the construction of the dam of the Kuma hydroelectric power station.

All rivers and lakes of the Paanajärvi National Park are fed by springs and are characterized by exceptionally clear water.

Tours in Paanajärvi

Visitors can choose various options visiting the park, however, it is worth considering that the border zone regime operates on the territory of the Paanajärvi park. All tourists must obtain a permit to stay in the territory.

In the park, you should only move along paved roads and paths; trampling plants can lead to the extinction of rare species. It is possible to change the route and place of stay prescribed in the permit only in case of an emergency.

Hunting in the park is prohibited, it is also not allowed to tear plants and cut down trees.

Tourists can use the map of the national park, which shows tourist routes and infrastructure. The price of excursions, transport and other services can be found on the official website of Paanajärvi Park.

Paanajärvi Visitor Center

The center, where the administration of the park, the Museum of Nature and the library work, is located on the shore of the beautiful lake Tukhka, in the village. Pyaozersky.

The visitor center is open on weekdays from 9.00 to 17.00, however, tourists from other cities who have left preliminary applications can issue a permit daily from 8.00 to 19.00, even on weekends.

Tourist routes

Routes lasting from 2 hours to 2 days are marked with conspicuous signs and signs. Equipped wooden decking, bridges, benches, toilets, fireplaces and places for separate waste collection.

Hiking routes

• Astervajärv nature trail;
• Kivakkakoski waterfall;
• Mount Kivakka;
• Mount Nuorunen;
• Vartiolampi-Arola.

Water walking route

• Lake Paanajärvi.

Snowmobile routes

• Paanajärvi;
• Kivakkakoski;
• Mount Kivakka;
• Nuorunen;
• Big Deer Circle.

Weather in Paanajärvi

The area of ​​the Paanajärvi National Park is located between the Arctic and the Atlantic, so easterly winds bring Siberian cold to the park. Winter in the park is long and cold, the first snow in the mountains falls already in September, and winter temperatures can reach minus 45 °C.

Humid western Atlantic winds from the Gulf Stream bring heavy rainfall, and sometimes cause thaws even in the middle of winter. However, despite the thaw, by spring, snow cover 1.5-2 m high accumulates in the park, and on the mountain slopes its height can even exceed 3 m.

The average annual temperature is near zero, and the average temperature of the warmest month, July, is below plus 15 °C, although sometimes it reaches plus 30 °C.

How to get there

Any trip to Paanajärvi Park begins with a visit to the Visitor Center located in the village. Pyaozersk. After obtaining permission, you need to drive from the village to the park along a dirt road 59 km long. With this in mind, you can either get there by private vehicles (coordinates for the navigator are 66°17′11″N, 30°8′35″E), or order a transfer from the village. Pyaozersky or from the village. Louhi.

From Moscow, St. Petersburg and Petrozavodsk

You can come to Paanajärvi Park on car on the highway St. Petersburg-Murmansk, following to the village. Louhi or on train to st. Louhi. From Louhi you need to go along highway 110 km to westbound to the village Pyaozersky.

From Petrozavodsk to the village. Pyaozersky can be reached by bus which runs on Mondays and Thursdays. The fare is from 1300 rubles, the travel time is 11 hours 35 minutes.

From the city of Kostomuksha

In the village Pyaozersky can be reached by car along a dirt road through the village. Kalevala (253 km).

From Finland

You can enter the territory of Russia at the international checkpoints of Suoperya (60 km from the village of Pyaozersky) or Lyuttya.

Video "Paanajärvi in ​​winter"

It is located in the north-west of Karelia, in the Loukhsky district. It got its name from a deep clean lake located in rocky faults.

This park is located in the mountainous part of Karelia, called Fennoscandia, near the Maanselka ridge. It is a protected natural area of ​​national importance. And since the park is located near Finland itself, the border zone regime applies to it. Next to it is a similar nature protection zone of the neighboring country - "Oulanka".

Paanajärvi National Park: how to get there and when to go

Rail transport in these places goes only to Louhi station. Further to the park itself, only a rather broken one is laid. You will have to get there by hitchhiking or by your own transport. But in the latter case, tourists are advised to go through Kalevala. The road there is in better condition, and you will spend less time than from Loukhi, because the state of the road there is such that you will not be able to move more than 40 kilometers per hour.

The distance between Kalevala and the nature protection zone is about 160 km. You can visit the park all year round. But the weather here is very changeable. In summer it often rains and there are a lot of mosquitoes, so you need to take these nuances into account.

Story

Paanajärvi is a national park in Karelia, the territory of which was inhabited seven thousand years ago. Here were discovered sites of ancient people from the Stone to the Iron Age, as well as their tools and pottery. In the Middle Ages, these lands belonged to Veliky Novgorod. After the capture of the latter by Ivan III, they withdrew to Sweden.

In the eighteenth century, the Finns began to settle in this territory. But few people lived here. And since the 19th century, the lands around Lake Paanajärvi alternately passed either Russia or Finland. Since the 90s of the century before last, industrial felling and timber rafting began to be practiced here, but then, nevertheless, the beauty of these places prompted the local government to open a tourist center.

After Finland gained independence, the territory first passed to it, and after the Second World War it returned to Russian borders (as part of the USSR). The national park was formed here in May 1992. Since then, it has been used not only for the protection of landscapes, flora and fauna, but also for tourism, recreational and educational purposes.

Description

The Paanajärvi National Park has an area of ​​one hundred thousand hectares. None of these lands locality. 20,000 hectares have been allocated for the reserve, and 6,000 hectares for tourism use.

The warmest time here is the month of July, when the average temperature rises to +15 degrees. And the coldest of all is in February, when it drops to -13°C. Snow, as a rule, falls here enough, often more than a meter in height. In addition, beautiful northern lights are observed here in winter, and in summer the sun does not shine for only two to three hours a day.

The park has an exceptionally picturesque landscape. It has everything - gorges, lakes, mountains, rivers and waterfalls. The forests are very dense and almost virgin. In total, there are about 120 lakes in the park. But not everywhere is open to tourists.

Attractions

Paanajärvi National Park boasts the most high mountains on the territory of Karelia. These are Lunas, Kivakka, Mäntyutunturi and Nuorunen. They are about half a kilometer high. Their slopes are very steep, and such an interesting phenomenon as “hanging swamps” is found on them.

There are more than sixty natural monuments here, which are sights, including those of world importance. These are the Pyainur mountains, the Ruskeakallio rock, the Olanga river basin and Lake Paanajärvi itself, along with the fault of the same name.

The depth of this reservoir is 128 meters. It is surrounded by mountains and therefore has a specific microclimate. The lake is one of the deepest reservoirs of its kind. It is also unique in its cleanliness. And its water is very saturated with oxygen. High waterfalls with numerous steps, bizarre red rocks, ancient Saami sanctuaries - all this can be seen by visitors to the park.

The sixty-meter Ruskeakallio rock, as well as the cascading Kivakkakoski waterfall, 12 meters high and 100 meters long, are of particular beauty. It remained unconquered by people - no one could make rafting or rafting on it. Still tourists are attracted by the sacred stones of the Sami - the so-called seids. The ancient peoples considered them "a place of power." In their opinion, spirits lived there, owners of lakes, rivers and mountains.

Excursions

If you want to take a tour of the local sights, first register at the Paanajärvi Visitor Center. The national park is often crowded with travelers, so it's best to book in advance.

The visitor center is located in the neighboring village of Pyaozerskoye. It was built in 2002 at the expense of the European Union. This center is very beautiful, comfortable, expedient and functional. When he opened a good hotel with a sauna included in the accommodation. To register and obtain a license to fish, you need to show your passport.

Tours in the park are available in summer and winter. In the cold season, snowmobile tours are very popular. The park has specially designated roads for cars and equipped pedestrian trails with footbridges and railings in dangerous places. Tourists most often make forays along the Olanga River, to the waterfalls of Kivakkakoski and Myantyukoski, to the mountains of Kivakkatunturi and Nuorunen.

Of the animals here you can meet moose, swans, squirrels and hares. By the way, there are also specially equipped "nature trails", where there are information plates about the local flora and fauna.

Mount Kivakka is very popular with travelers because it is detached, which is not typical for Karelia, and it offers views of the entire park. For some tourists, it even evokes associations with Fujiyama. There was a temple on its top, but an Orthodox cross is now installed on top of it.

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You can fish in the park, but not in all places, but only in designated areas of the Olanga River. The catch is usually good. On the shores of Lake Paanajärvi there are sandy beaches, where, thanks to the special microclimate, from the second half of July you can even swim. But if you want to come to the Paanajärvi National Park with a dog, then, unfortunately, you cannot do this. It is forbidden to bring domestic animals into this protected area, as this can be dangerous both for them and for wild inhabitants of the forests.

On the lake there is a pleasure boat "Onanga", on which tourists ride. The park also often hosts various environmental festivals, cultural days of the Sami people, and educational seminars.

Where to live

The Paanajärvi National Park offers tourists who want to spend a few days here places to stay overnight. This wooden houses and camping. The cost of housing depends on whether you spend the night in a tent and pay only for a place or settle in a cottage. The houses "Float", "Paanajärvi" and "Skazka" are located near the lake itself. There are several more cottages near the Olanga River. Some of them are on the way to the lake. Near the cottages there are places for tents.

Houses without amenities, it's just wooden log cabins with bunks, mattresses, pillows and stoves. Clean linen is provided at the visitor center. Near the buildings there is a place for a fire, there is firewood for kindling, boilers, and some cottages even have a bathhouse. Campsites have toilets, water, wooden tables, garbage cans.

Paanajärvi National Park Reviews: 4.5/5

Tourists call trips to this protected area fabulous. After all, nature here is unusual in its beauty even for Karelia. In addition, this is a great place to relax with both family and company.

As travelers note, campsites and cabins are very well-groomed, albeit simple. There is no electricity, but you can rent a generator. The presence of a bathhouse is a great bonus during a hike. This is a great route for those who love nature and fishing.

And what opportunities for wonderful pictures the Paanajärvi National Park gives! You will keep photos of amazing rocks, waterfalls and beautiful views from the mountains for a long time. No wonder these places are called Karelian Switzerland. There are many tourists in the park not only from Russia, but also from European countries.