Karelia Paanajärvi National Park - Features of Recreation.

The route is designed for people of different ages and different levels of training. The exception is made by people for whom physical activity is contraindicated for medical reasons.

Arrangement and equipment of the route - landmarks, kilometer posts, notices, gazebo, fireplace, woodshed, garbage bin, toilet.

The length of the route is 18 km;
Estimated time to complete the route - 3-4 hours;
The way of movement of visitors along the route is snowmobiles with sledges, skis;
Seasonality of use of the route - mid-February-April;
The maximum number of visitors on the route is 3 groups per day, up to 20 people in a group.

Brief description of the route

The route starts from the eastern end of Lake Paanajärvi at the source of the Olanga River. The route passes through the waters of Lake Paanajärvi, one of the deepest lakes in Fennoscandia. Dozens of Finnish farms were once located on the banks of Paanajärvi. Now, on the site of some of them, one can find destroyed residential and farm buildings, and other traces of economic activity.

The shores of Lake Paanajärvi are decorated with the peaks of the Mutkatunturi (438 m) and Tirovaara (357 m) mountains. At the beginning of the route on east coast the old Soviet-Finnish border is clearly visible - it is a wide, well-read clearing. The border existed here until 1940.

The place of the old Finnish farm Arola is marked on the left bank of the lake. Now buildings have been restored here and information boards have been installed with a story about the history of settlements on the shores of the lake.

One of the most interesting objects of the route is sheer cliff Ruskeakallio (Brown Rocks) 60 m high (14th kilometer of the route).

The end of the route is crowned with the beautiful ice-free waterfall Mäntykoski. It is a five-step waterfall with a height of about 9 m. The force of falling water was once used locals: stood here water Mill... The waterfall has attracted the attention of photographers and artists. There was an elementary school not far from the waterfall.

Requirement for the mode of stay on the route

Before starting the route, tourists are instructed. Traveling along the winter snowmobile route in accordance with the rules for the safety of movement on snowmobiles and skis;
Moving around the park is strictly according to the route agreed with the administration. Changes are only permissible in the event of an emergency;
Snowmobiling in the park only with a park inspector;
Driving personal snowmobiles with driving license vehicle and vehicle documents;
Skiing only on a paved and marked track;
Littering is prohibited on the route;
Making fires is allowed only in specially equipped places;
Fishing only with permits and in specially designated areas;
All hunting is prohibited;
It is forbidden to damage monuments of nature, history and culture, notices and information signs, procurement of firewood;
Special equipment (warm clothing, helmet) is required for movement on snowmobiles.

On the map

On an interactive map

Description
Location on the map of Karelia
What to see
Experienced tips
Visit cost
How to get there on your own

Paanayawi- one of the most beautiful national parks Russia. The value of this area is exceptional. There are forests saturated with the spirit of untamed wind, mountains and swamps, here - rocks and valleys. In Paanajärvi, you can still see nature in its true splendor. The way it was created. The air here is the air of purity and freedom. Each breath fills with life. Every glance at Paanajärvi refreshes thoughts.

On the map of Karelia, the park looks like a large and very green spot. The park is located in one of the most "wild" and untouched regions of the republic - Louhsky. Western border The park coincides with the Russian-Finnish border, to which the Oulanka National Park adjoins from the side of the neighboring state. Paanajärvi square(whose name, by the way, is translated from Finnish as "Lake-way") - 104,473 hectares. Three quarters of the total area is covered with forest.

What to see?

You can only see in Paanajärvi nature... There is not a single one within the boundaries of the park settlement... But there are, as we have already said - forests. Not familiar to the eyes of a city dweller, but carefully preserved. They are especially good in autumn. On the austere greenery of pines and firs - the gold of birches and the crimson of aspens. Some of the pines in the park are 600 years old!

Due to the fact that the forest in Paanajärvi is preserved in its unchanged, true form, in the park you can see all the inhabitants of the taiga- brown bears and wolves, wolverines, soft-footed beauties of lynxes, fiery red foxes and white hares. And all kinds of forest "trifles" - martens, shrews, weasels, squirrels, ermines. Meetings with Canadian otters are quite frequent. If you're lucky, you'll see a reindeer.

Birds- about 150 species. From blue-tails to whooper swans, gray cranes and eagles, golden eagles and feet. All these birds cannot stand the neighborhood with cities. Therefore, to see them is a great success for a modern inhabitant of a metropolis.

Lake Paanajärvi is considered the pearl of the park., which gave the name to the entire protected area. The river with the difficult to pronounce name Oulankajoki flows into the reservoir, as well as other rivers - Sovajoki, Mäntyjoki, Astervajoki and Malinajoki. Another important waterway for the park is Olanga river... In the early 60s of the last century, after the construction of the dam of the Kumskaya hydroelectric power station, Olanga flooded the resettled village of Olangasuu. The trees that grew along the banks of the river were under water. And they are still visible - serene and dead. On Olanga the largest unregulated threshold in Karelia is located - Kivakkakoski.

Height - 12 meters, don't miss it for sure - the sound of water rolling over the stones can be heard from kilometers away.

However, the Mäntykoski waterfall is good, the mossy stones of this padun caress white water jets, similar to silk ribbons. Not hasty, not loud, but a very delicate waterfall (if the waterfall can be delicate at all). A must visit if the opportunity arises.

In total, there are 13 rapids on the river, which alternate with such charming stretches that you want to stay and live near one of them.

There are about 120 lakes in the park... They are amazing. Deep, narrow, with rocky shores and the purest water... Some bodies of water are even located on the tops of the mountains. Springs feed the lakes. Streams and rivers are full of spring water.

Another pride of Paanajärvi is mountain tundra... The southernmost in Fennoscandia, not familiar to the eye - with pines creeping over the moss, aspen bushes. Such trees grow very hard and for a long time. Herringbone, whose stem is only a couple of centimeters in diameter, may be over 50 years old.

This is due to the fact that trees grow at a height, in the literal sense - on the mountains. If you climb higher, the views that open up are amazing. It seems that the whole world is endless forests with blue brushstrokes of lakes and streams of rivers.

Photo source - life-is-travel.ru

When you are in Paanajärvi, look around carefully. And especially - under your feet. Because on the ground of the park you can find unique plants... For example - the orchid Venus's slipper or bearded lichen, or blue phellodoce (which is not blue at all, but a pleasant lilac-pink hue).

For your own safety, you only need to move around the park along paved paths and routes, they are thought out, safe and very interesting. Moreover, you can choose a route for every taste - by water, on foot, in winter - by sleigh or ski.

It is a must to visit Paanajärvi. In terms of concentration of impressions, the trip will not be inferior to a visit to the Vatican. But it is important to remember that the main task of the park is to preserve nature in its true form. Therefore, not only pleasant adventures are possible here. To avoid them, we advise you to heed some of the recommendations of seasoned travelers and the advice of the park administration.

Cost of visiting Paanajärvi

The cost is not at all high for the pleasures that can be obtained. For an excursion along the routes with accommodation in a forest house, they ask for only 600 rubles with Russian tourists(390 for residents of Karelia), an excursion with accommodation in a tent camp will cost 370 and 240 rubles, respectively. Boat excursions differ in price depending on the power of the motor - from 90 rubles per hour for a rowboat to 560 rubles per hour. You can take a daily boat tour - 2650, 3100 rubles. Excursion to the Mäntykoski waterfall on the Olanga pleasure boat - 4000 rubles. Excursion on a snowmobile along the routes of the park - 1 hour - 610 rubles, 6 hours - 2440 rubles. An excursion along equipped winter routes on a personal snowmobile, a car under the supervision of a state park inspector per day - an additional 150 rubles. You can rent skis (250 rubles), tents (100 rubles per day), smokehouses (50 rubles).

Is free children under 7 years old, veterans of the Great Patriotic War, disabled people of the 1st group and some other categories of beneficiaries go to the park and use all the services. At half price - children under 18 years old, large families, pensioners, disabled people of 2-3 groups, participants in hostilities.

Getting to Paanajärvi is not easy

But it's worth it. The park cannot be reached by train. The nearest station is Louhi. In principle, any car will reach the park (if it is not at all a pity, or if it is a tank), there is an ordinary beaten dirt road, which in some places does not allow a speed of more than 40 km per hour.

If you go to the park by car, it is better to go not from Loukhi station, but through the village of Kalevala (Kalevala district). The road to Kalevala is much better and in time it will be faster, despite the slightly greater distance. Gas stations operate along the M-18 highway, although there are no gas stations after the turn to Kem to Kalevala. Also, after Kalevala, there are no gas stations to the park and back, and you should not count on a gas station in the village of Pyaozersky (the gas station works only until 17:00). Distance from Kalevala to Paanajärvi and back is 340 km.

To the village of Pyaozersky can be reached from the east, south and west. A 59 km long dirt road leads to the park from the village.

From Moscow, St. Petersburg and Petrozavodsk, you can get to the park along the St. Petersburg-Murmansk highway to the Loukhi village, or by train to Loukhi station. From where - by road 110 km to the west to the village of Pyaozersky.

Karelia Paanajärvi National Park - rightfully considered national treasure republics. The landscape of the area is incomparable. Here you can simultaneously find hills and valleys, small rivers and mesmerizing hanging swamps, which are a unique phenomenon.

Tourists who have been here the abundance and variety of flora and fauna is impressive. In the reserve you can find both a typical "inhabitant" of this area, and representatives of rare Arctic subspecies. For example, the Norwegian lemming good-naturedly coexists with the Jurassic fox, elk and white hare.

Also Karelia National Park Paanajärvi is famous for its birds. On the territory you can find swans - screamers, wood grouses, black-throated loons and many other rare species of birds that live only in this area.

The locals call the lake of the same name the heart of the reserve. It is surrounded by evergreen forests, thanks to which the lake has retained its pristine, crystal clearness. The waters of Lake Paanajärvi are so clean and transparent that you can watch the movement of a relict, endangered species of fish - smelt, which lives only here. Thousands of water tourism lovers come to the reserve to admire the beauty of the unique water resource.

No less interest among tourists is the cult ancient Sami settlement, located on the territory national park... Many years ago, archaeologists discovered traces of this civilization here. During the excavations, household items, various utensils, monuments and other historical artifacts that represent the cultural heritage were discovered.

Special attention deserves a sanctuary, which is located at the very top of the mountains. It attracts all visitors, without exception, not only with its indescribable beauty, but also with a veil of mystery. Unusual combination of remains ancient civilization, original, untouched nature, create a unique atmosphere and just a magical aura.

When planning a trip to this amazing corner, you should take into account that in the summer, there is a massive influx of tourists. Therefore, it is recommended to book the tour well in advance.

If you wish, you can book an overnight trip. There are several comfortable houses on the territory of the national park. Those who prefer to stay overnight in wards are invited to sit on specially designated areas.

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How to get to Paanajärvi

The train does not go to the park, the nearest station is Louhi (to the park). In principle, any car can reach the park, there is an ordinary beaten dirt road, which in some places does not allow a speed of more than 40 km per hour.

If you go to the park by car, then it is better to go not from Loukhi station, but through Kalevala. The road to Kalevala is much better and in time it will be faster, despite the slightly greater distance. Gas stations operate along the M-18 highway, although there are no gas stations after the turn to Kem to Kalevala. Also, after Kalevala, there are no gas stations to the park and back, and you should not count on a gas station in the village of Pyaozersky (the gas station works only until 17:00). Distance from Kalevala to Paanajärvi and back is 340 km.

Registration at Paanajärvi Park

The visit to the park is strictly limited and entry is restricted. To get to Paanajärvi, you first need to visit the visitor center of the park, which is located in the village of Pyaozersky. In summer, the park can be congested and therefore it is better to book places in advance.

You can spend the night in the park either in wooden houses or in a camping. The cost of the voucher depends on the method of overnight stay. Fishing licenses can also be purchased at the Visitor Center. To register in the park, you must have your passport with you. Despite the proximity of the park to the border zone, no questions arise in this regard and it is not required to cross border points.

Tours in Paanajärvi

Paanajärvi Park is a dream for tourists both in summer and in winter, we offer fishing programs in this beautiful ecological place, as well as snowmobile tours in Karelia in Paanajärvi. In order to better understand the rest in this place, you must be born and live there, so we conduct programs in Paanajärvi with the hands of professional instructors who grew up there.

Where to sleep in Paanajärvi park

There are several houses and camping sites in the park. Three houses are located near Lake Paanajärvi (there are also two equipped camping places), these are the Skazka, Paanajärvi, and Poplavok houses. Four at the fork next to the bridge over the Olanga River (and one camping site), one house on the site of the abandoned village of Vartiolampi and one camping site, one house on the road to Vartiolampi village, one small campsite on the way to the lake.

All the houses in the park are uncomfortable, they are wooden log cabins with stoves and bunks for spending the night. Each house has an equipped campfire site, a woodpile with firewood, boilers, axes, and some houses have a bathhouse. Camping sites are equipped with tent sites, garbage containers, toilets, campfires and places for lunch: wooden tables and benches.

Communication and evacuation in the park

The park has no electricity or cellular service. At heights and closer to the Finnish border, the mobile operator "SONERA" can take. V emergency situations it is better to contact the rangers of the park, they have radio communication with the center in the village of Pyaozersky. There is a helipad in the park by the lake.

Fishing in Paanajärvi

You can go spinning in the park. The license allows you to catch any kind of fish. You can buy a license at the Visitor Center before visiting the park. Fishing is allowed not in all places, but only in certain parts of the Olanga River. However, at the same time, the park can be great for fishing. With us different groups repeatedly returned to the fire with a good catch. Almost every day one of the fishermen caught trout in the area. Mainly grayling, brown trout and pike are caught in the river.

What you can see in Paanajärvi

A visit to the park will be much more interesting if you make various excursions. There are many attractions in the park, including Kivakkatunturi mountain with a beautiful view, Kivakkakoski waterfall, Olanga river, Mäntyukoski waterfall, Ruskeakallio rock, Nuorunen mountain. Special roads for cars and trails are planned in the park. All trails are provided with bridges over streams and swamps, as well as information boards. Also in the park there are many campfires specially prepared for passes (woodpiles with firewood) and places for short-term overnight stays. On Lake Paanajärvi, you can order an excursion by boat or boat "Nadezhda".

What not to do in the park

Contacts of Paanajärvi National Park

Visit center: 186667, Russia, Republic of Karelia, Louhsky district, Pyaozersky st. Friendship 31

Phones:
General department (814-39) 38-743
Tourist Office (814-39) 38-504
Tel / fax (814-39) 38-688

Internet address http://paanajarvi.onego.ru/

It is located in the north-west of Karelia, in the Loukhsky region. He got his 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 guarded natural area of all-Russian significance. And since the park is located near Finland itself, then the border zone regime applies to it. There is a similar nature conservation area next to it. neighboring country- Oulanka.

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

Railway transport in these places runs only to Louhi station. Further to the park itself, only a rather broken one is laid. own transport... But in the latter case, tourists are advised to go through Kalevala. The road there is in the best condition, and you will spend less time than from Louhi, since the condition of the road there is such that you will not be able to move more than 40 kilometers per hour.

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

History

Paanajarvi is a national park in Karelia, the territory of which was inhabited seven thousand years ago. Here were discovered the sites of ancient people from the Stone Age 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 retreated to Sweden.

In the eighteenth century, Finns began to settle in this area. But few people lived here. And since the 19th century, the lands around Lake Paanajärvi were transferred alternately to Russia and Finland. Since the 90s of the last century, industrial felling and rafting of timber began to be practiced here, but then 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 World War II it returned to the Russian borders (as part of the USSR). 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 tourist, recreational and educational purposes.

Description

Paanajärvi National Park has an area of one hundred thousand hectares. There is not a single settlement on these lands. 20 thousand hectares were allocated for the reserve, and 6 thousand hectares - for tourist use.

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

The park is distinguished by an exceptionally picturesque landscape. It has everything - gorges, lakes, mountains, rivers and waterfalls. The forests are very dense and practically virgin. There are about 120 lakes in the park. But not everywhere is access for tourists.

sights

Paanajärvi National Park boasts the most high mountains in the territory of Karelia. These are Lunas, Kivakka, Mäntytunturi and Nuorunen. They are about half a kilometer high. Their slopes are very steep, and they have such interesting phenomenon like "hanging swamps".

There are over sixty natural monuments, which are landmarks, including those of global importance. These are the Päinur mountains, the Ruskeakallio rock, the Olanga river basin and the Paanajärvi lake itself, together 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 bodies of water of its kind. It is also unique in its purity. And its water is very oxygenated. High waterfalls with numerous steps, bizarre red rocks, ancient Sami sanctuaries - all this can be seen by visitors to the park.

The sixty-meter Ruskeakallio rock, as well as the Kivakkakoski cascade waterfall, 12 m high and 100 m long, are of particular beauty.It remained unconquered by people - no one was able to make either rafting or rafting on it. Tourists are also attracted by the sacred stones of the Sami - the so-called seids. Ancient peoples considered them "a place of power". In their opinion, spirits lived there, the owners of lakes, rivers and mountains.

Excursions

If you want to take a trip to the local attractions, first register at the Paanajärvi Visitor Center. The national park is often packed with travelers, so it is best to book your seats in advance.

The visit center is located in the neighboring village of Pyaozersky. It was built in 2002 with funds from the European Union. This center is very beautiful, comfortable, practical and functional. A good hotel with a sauna included in the residence has been opened under him. To register and obtain a fishing license, you need to present your passport.

There are summer and winter tours of the park. Snowmobile tours are very popular during the cold season. The park has specially designated roads for cars and equipped pedestrian paths with bridges and railings in dangerous places. Tourists most often make excursions along the Olanga River, to the Kivakkakoski and Mäntykoski waterfalls, to the Kivakkatunturi and Nuorunen mountains.

Among the animals you can find here moose, swans, squirrels and hares. By the way, there are specially equipped "nature trails" where there are information boards about the local flora and fauna.

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

Entertainment

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

The pleasure boat "Onanga" goes along the lake, on which tourists ride. The park also often hosts various environmental festivals, cultural days of the Sami people, educational seminars.

Where to live

Paanajärvi National Park offers tourists who want to spend several days here places to stay. These are wooden houses and a camping. The cost of housing depends on whether you spend the night in a tent and pay only for a place or live in a cottage. The houses "Poplavok", "Paanajarvi" and "Fairy Tale" are located near the lake itself. There are several more cottages near the Olanga River. Some of them are on the road to the lake. There are places for tents near the cottages.

The houses have no conveniences, they are just wooden log cabins with plank beds, mattresses, pillows and stoves. Clean linen is handed out at the visitor center. A campfire site is located near the buildings, there is firewood for kindling, boilers, and some cottages even have a bathhouse. The campsites have toilets, water, wooden tables, trash cans.

Paanajärvi National Park: reviews

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

Travelers note that campsites and cabins are very well-groomed, albeit simple. There is no electricity, but a generator can be rented. The presence of a bath is a great bonus during the hike. This is a great route for those who love nature and fishing.

And what opportunities Paanajärvi National Park offers for great pictures! Photos of amazing rocks, waterfalls and beautiful views from the mountains you will keep for a long time. It is not for nothing that these places are called Karelian Switzerland. The park is visited by many tourists not only from Russia, but also from European countries.