Paanajärvi National Park: history and photos. Three days in Paanajärvi National Park

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. There are no settlements on these lands. 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

The Paanajärvi National Park boasts the highest mountains in 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.

Entertainment

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. There are sandy beaches on the shores of Lake Paanajärvi, where, thanks to the special microclimate, you can even swim in the second half of July. But if you want to come to the Paanajärvi National Park with a dog, then, unfortunately, you cannot do this. It is forbidden to import pets into this protected area, as it 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. These are 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, these are 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. The campsites have toilets, water, wooden tables, trash 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.

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How to organize a trip to Paanajärvi

And relax for 13,000 rubles for two

Paanajärvi is a national park in Russia, in the northwest of Karelia.

Anastasia Osyan

went to Paanajärvi

There are 120 lakes, powerful rapids, beautiful mountains and waterfalls. Tourists come here in winter and summer.

Agencies sell tours to Paanajärvi for 20,000 R per person for 4 days. I will tell you how to organize the same trip yourself and save money.

What is the park

Paanajärvi is one of 49 national parks in Russia. The state creates them to protect nature from man. In such parks, fishing with nets, chopping wood, trampling moss, or hunting are not allowed. But here you can relax for tourists - and this is the main difference between the national park and the reserve.

The average temperature in the park is +15 °C in summer and -15 °C in winter. Tourists come all year round: it is beautiful here in winter, autumn and summer.

In the 20th century, the territory of Paanajärvi belonged to either Russia or Finland. The border changed several times, and only after the end of the Soviet-Finnish war, the territory of the park was finally ceded to the USSR. When in the eighties the authorities wanted to build a hydroelectric power station and a ski center here, the public rebelled. The park was established in 1992, and for the first time tourists were allowed into the border area.

Now there is everything you need to relax. Huts where you can live are scattered around the park, roads and ready-made tourist routes are laid. Everything you need for everyday life is at the houses or can be rented from the administration.

How to get to the park

Paanajärvi is located in the west of Karelia, 160 km from the federal highway R-21 "Kola". If you are coming to the park from central Russia, there are several ways to get to it.

Own car to Paanajärvi. The park is large and long, so a car is useful to get to the start of tourist routes. But this path has a big minus: a disgusting road to and inside Paanajärvi.

As soon as you turn off the ideal asphalt of the Cola, the primer begins with sections of prehistoric asphalt. Stumps stick out on it, stones lie, and sometimes logs:

Periodically, a grader is launched along the road - a machine that smoothes the road. If the grader has not passed a couple of days, the road resembles a washboard. We drove 160 km in a Toyota Camry for 3 hours and 50 minutes.

The road inside the park itself is even worse: it looks like a dried up river.

Drivers in high-suspension vehicles drove faster. But jeeps are also not immune from problems. We were told the story of how a stone broke a tire in a Mitsubishi Pajero. In my opinion, if you are driving to Paanajärvi in ​​your car, be prepared to drive slowly or take out a spare tire.

Plane to Murmansk. If you are not ready to drive your own car, you can fly to Murmansk and rent a car. A ticket from Moscow costs from 7400 rubles in both directions. Car prices for Rentacar and Avtoprokat-51 start from 1400 rubles per day:

Train to Loukhi village. A ticket from Moscow to the branded train No. 16 "Arktika" costs 4412 rubles one way. To get from Louhi to Paanajärvi, you can order a transfer from the park or negotiate with the locals. UAZ will cost 9,200 rubles for a one-way trip, a PAZ bus - 13,000 rubles. You can order them on the official website of the park or by phone. Private owners on Avito will ask for 20,000 rubles for the round trip.

To get from Pyaozersky to the park, you will have to order a bus or arrange with a private driver. UAZ will take 8 people and will cost 4200 rubles one way. The PAZ will fit 23 people, it will cost 6,000 rubles one way. Residents of Pyaozerskoye will ask for 5,000 rubles for a round-trip fare. They can be found in groups on Vkontakte: "Overheard in Pyaozerskoye" , "Announcements. Pyaozersky".

How to book

In Paanajärvi you can stay in a hut or a tent. From 2 to 14 people can live in one hut.

To take a tent place costs 520 rubles per day, and accommodation in a house per person - from 840 rubles. If you have a Karelian residence permit, they will make a discount. To calculate it, multiply the prices from the price list on the official website of the park by 0.65. There is also a list of people who can visit Paanajärvi for free or with a 50% discount.

I recommend traveling to Paanajärvi for at least 5 days, not counting the days of departure and arrival. We had a short vacation, so we spent 3 full days in the park. This time was not enough to enjoy the beauty of Paanajärvi. Plus, there is always a chance that the weather will let you down. For example, on the last day we planned to go to the lake, but it was raining.

The park is large, so I advise you to choose a place for housing that suits your plans. For example, if you are going to fish on the Olanga River every day, the Ant Hill hut will suit you. If you live in the Nuris hut, you will have to drive 16 km one way along a dead road for river fish.

All huts and places for tents can be selected and booked on the park's website or by phone. If you doubt what suits you, I recommend that you first consult with Paanajärvi employees: they will gladly and in detail answer all questions. Two weeks before the trip, you need to call the park again and confirm the check-in, otherwise the application will be canceled. Be sure to take your passport with you: they won't let you in without it.

It is better to book places in advance: according to my feelings, there are more people who want to get into the park than there are free places. Applications for the summer begin to be accepted from February 10, for the winter - from November 10.

Registration

To get to Paanajärvi, you need to register at the visitor center. It is located in the village of Pyaozersky, 60 km from the park and 100 km from the R-21 Kola highway.

The visitor center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. By prior arrangement, you will be received on any day of the week from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Employees will issue a permit to visit, a tour ticket, a contract and an annex to it. They will also ask you to sign a registration sheet. If you are going to fish, get a fishing record card.

Paanajärvi borders on Finland, so after paying you will be invited to talk to an FSB officer. He will give a brief briefing, in which he will ask you not to break special equipment and follow the rules of the border zone.

Life

Paanajärvi - teleport to the 19th century. There is no electricity or mobile communication in the park, and in order to equip life, you need to carry water from the river, wash dishes in a basin and chop wood. For this, the park provides everything you need: a washbasin, a fire pit, a table for cooking and a woodshed.

The inspector on duty, who lives in the park, will help you with all questions. He or she will tell you where it is best to fish, book a boat or take a tour in the national Karelian costume. If necessary, the inspector will contact the outside world by radio.

Hut. Instead of beds in Paanajärvi, there are wide wooden benches. Mattresses, pillows and blankets will be waiting for you in the cabin, and bed linen will be given out at the visitor center.

When it's cloudy outside, it's dark in the hut. I advise you to take an electric flashlight even in summer, when there are white nights in Karelia. In winter, you can rent generators in the park: they cost 120 rubles per hour. In the summer they are not issued, so as not to cause a fire.

Bath. The cost of renting a hut or a place for a tent includes a sauna. It is heated by agreement by the inspector or the tourists themselves. Usually one bathhouse falls on several tourist groups, so the schedule needs to be coordinated.

Food. You can cook food on a fire or on the stove. If you are in a hurry, it is inconvenient: first you need to chop wood, light a fire and only then cook. I recommend taking a gas burner. It can boil water in a couple of minutes or quickly stew vegetables. Burners are different: in the form of a small plate or with a nozzle on the cylinder. In my opinion, this burner is most suitable for hiking in Paanajärvi:

We bought it in a hypermarket for 900 rubles. "Petals" can be moved apart and shifted depending on the size of the dish. They protect the fire from the wind. This is important if you will be cooking on top of a mountain.

Such a burner is also compact: the “petals” and legs can be rolled up, and the burner can be removed in a case. Gas cylinders for it are sold in hypermarkets and tourist shops, the average price is 70 rubles.

water in the park they drink directly from rivers, streams and lakes: it is crystal clear. At first I was wary of this, but it turned out to be the most delicious water I have ever drunk. Don't forget a thermos or bottle to take on your hikes.

Tableware. The hut has the necessary set of dishes: a frying pan, a pot, a bucket, mugs, a saucepan, a kettle, a basin for washing dishes. We planned to go on a two-day hike with a tent, so we bought a folding set of tourist dishes for 1245 rubles. It is lightweight and compact.

Trash. In Paanajärvi, waste is sorted separately. Glass, cans and plastic are thrown into special containers, food waste is thrown into the toilet, and paper is burned at the stake.

Routes

In Paanajärvi, you can walk along ready-made tourist routes. These are paved paths with signs, most of which have wooden decks. You can’t go deep into the forest: you can trample on Red Book flowers and plants, enter a protected area or approach the state border.

How to get to the start of the route. In the "Routes" section of the Paanajärvi website, their length is indicated. To this figure you need to add the path to the start of the route. Depending on the location of the hut, it can be 5 or 20 km. If you did not come by your own car, you can order a PAZ for 870 rubles per hour, UAZ for 610 rubles per hour, or rent a bicycle for 300 rubles per day.

Before renting a bike, I advise you to ask the inspector about the road before starting the route. The terrain here is mountainous - perhaps cycling will not be as comfortable as you imagined.

If you agree, you can join another tourist group and go along the route with it. To do this, ask the inspector who is going where.

Mount Kivakka. It offers a view of the Pyaozero, the Olanga River, the Kivakkakoski Rapids, Mount Nuorunen and Finland. On the way to the top, you can see hanging marshes, which got their name from their location on the mountainside. There are also many seids on Kivakka - places of worship of the ancient Sami and their sacred objects.

From the beginning of the route to the top of the mountain - 5 km. It is easy to go: almost everywhere there are wooden walkways, along the way there are benches where you can relax. On the way back we met a group of Finns. Most of them looked to be in their 60s, and some were in their 80s. They walked briskly up the hill with Nordic walking poles. They can also be rented in the park for 120 rubles per day.

The rapids of Kivakkakoski. Water falls from 12 meters with such power, as if jet planes are flying nearby. The road lies through the forest, one way - 4.5 km. At the end of the route there is a place to rest where you can have a snack.

Lake Paanajärvi tourists look at the boat. You can order a pleasure boat "Olanga" for 20 people or rent a motor boat and drive yourself or with an inspector. The length of the route is 18 km.

Paanajärvi offers views of the brown rocks of Ruskeakallio, the mountains, and the old Finnish farm of Arola. From the boat you can go to the Mäntykoski waterfall.

Vartiolampi village is located near the start of the route to Kivakkakoski. Here they built a house in the likeness of those in which the Old Believers lived, and recreated their interiors.

Mount Nuorunen- the highest point of Karelia. Its height is 577 meters. To get to the top, you need to walk 21 km from the beginning of the route, so they usually go up there with a tent and food for two days. Book a place for a tent at the visitor center in advance. The road is swampy in places - do not forget rubber boots.

From February to April Nuorunen is climbed by snowmobiles. It can be rented in the park for 3080 rubles, it will be managed by a park employee. One person fits on the snowmobile behind the driver, three more can sit on the sled. Their rent will cost 150 rubles per day. If you want to bring a snowmobile, take documents for it.

Fishing

There are a lot of fish in Paanajärvi reservoirs, such as grayling and brown trout. Grayling lives only in clean water - it has tender and tasty meat. Brown trout is a fish of the salmon family that migrates from Finland to Russia and back. The booklets of the park say that this is the only genus of brown trout that has been breeding naturally for more than a millennium.

You will not be able to come to the river with a fishing rod and fish: fishing is limited. Here are the basic rules.

Fishing requires a permit. It is issued at the visitor center before arrival. A day of fishing costs 220 rubles.

Fishing is allowed on the Olanga River from June 15 to August 15. On lakes and small lamps - all year round.

Networks are prohibited. You can fish with a rod or spinning rod. Tourists bring them with them. We took a spinning rod and a box of spinners. Husband caught several fish with this bait:

The park administration asks to release trout up to 40 centimeters. These are still fry that should spawn. The number of fish caught per day is also limited, check the rules with the park administration. Husband caught 2-3 fish a day. This was enough: the fish must be eaten immediately, otherwise it will go bad.

In our experience, fish bite best in the morning from 04:00 to 07:00
and from 23:00 to midnight. I advise you to ask the inspector about a specific place for fishing.

What to bring

Sprays and coils from mosquitoes. With annoying squeaks and bites, mosquitoes can ruin even the best vacation.

A hat with a mosquito net. The midges in the park are so fierce that they seem to be able to gnaw on an elephant. Repellents will not help - you need to take a hat.

Batteries. Without the Internet, phones are discharged slowly. If you plan to take pictures with them, bring external batteries to charge.

First aid kit. In addition to the standard set of medicines, I recommend taking a cream for bruises and an allergy remedy. If the footbridges are wet, it is easy to twist your leg, and some people suddenly become allergic to mosquito bites.

Bicycles

600 R

Remember

1. Book your stay in advance: the huts are quickly dismantled. Reservations for the summer open on February 10, for the winter - on November 10.
2. Do not forget to take your passport, you need it for paperwork. Charge your watch, toothbrushes, phones before your trip: there is no electricity in Paanajärvi.
3. On the road from the federal highway to the park, stumps, nails and sharp stones can stick out.
4. Before Paanajärvi, stop by the visitor centre. There they will issue a ticket and other documents.
5. Don't forget mosquito sprays and coils.
6. If you plan to fish, take a spinning rod and baubles. The permit can be paid at the Visitor Center.

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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. The total area of ​​the park is 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

• Protected area - 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, the southwest wind direction prevails, in the summer - northeast. 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. it 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.

The 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, cold air masses move from the mountains to the lake valley. In severe frosts, the temperature difference sometimes reaches 20 °. In winter, the northern lights are observed.

Paanajärvi National Park and its flora

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 areas are occupied by treeless mountain-tundra communities, common on the highest peaks, as well as secondary meadows. The national park is dominated by spruce forests - they make up more than 68% of the forested area. About 6%. occupied by soft-leaved plantations, 26% - pine forests.

Paanajärvi National Park and its wildlife

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, gray-headed chickadee, kuksha, three-toed woodpecker, hawk-owl, dandy, buzzard, loot, scoter.

Among the birds that have ecological optima in southern latitudes, there are lentil, starling, blackbird, badger warbler, gray warbler, rattle warbler, crested tit, great tit, wryneck, wood pigeon, black-headed gull, woodcock, lapwing.

Endangered and rare species include the following species: lesser spotted woodpecker, horned lark, little flycatcher, grouse, small-tailed godwit, tie-tailed sandpiper, white-tailed sandpiper, slut, black-tailed scoter, scoter, black-throated loon, black-throated and red-throated loons, white-throated thrush, wood dove, 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. AT Lake Paanajärvi there are various, which are relics of the ice age.

The Paanajärvi State National Park (Panajärvi) was founded in 1992. The park is located in the north-west of Karelia, on the territory of the Loukhsky district. It is four times larger than the adjacent Oulanka National Park (Finland). Both national parks have received international recognition. A feature of the national park is its untouched nature, the richness of flora and fauna, as well as uniquely beautiful landscapes.

The pearl of the park is Lake Paanajärvi, characterized by its small size (1.5 by 24 km) and exceptional depth (128 meters).
Rapids rivers, amazing multi-stage waterfalls, high red rocks, ancient Sami sanctuaries on Mount Kivakka - all this attracts many tourists here.

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 will reach the park, the usual battered primer goes there, which in some places does not allow speeds 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 Kalevala. The road to Kalevala is much better and it will be faster in time, despite the slightly longer distance. Gas stations operate along the M-18 highway, although after the turnoff to Kem there are no gas stations until Kalevala itself. 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 (a gas station is open only until 17:00). The distance from Kalevala to Paanajärvi and back is 340 km.

Registration in the park "Paanajärvi"

Visiting the park is strictly limited and entry is restricted. To get to Paanajärvi, you must first visit the visitor center of the park, which is located in the village of Pyaozersky. During the summer, the park can get busy, so it's best to book in advance.

You can spend the night in the park either in wooden houses or in a campsite. The cost of the ticket depends on the type of accommodation. You can also purchase fishing licenses at the visitor center. To register in the park, you must have a 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 the border points.

Tours in Paanajärvi

Paanajärvi Park is a dream for a tourist both in summer and winter, we offer fishing programs in this beautiful ecological place, as well as snowmobile tours in Karelia in Paanajärvi. In order to get the best understanding of recreation in this place, you need to be born and live there, so we conduct programs in Paanajärvi by the hands of professional instructors who grew up there.

Where to sleep in Paanajärvi park

There are several cabins and campsites in the park. Three houses are located near Lake Paanajärvi (there are also two equipped places for camping), these are the houses "Fairy Tale", "Paanajärvi", "Float". Four at the fork next to the bridge over the Olanga river (and one campsite), one house at the site of the abandoned village of Vartiolampi and one campsite, one house on the road to Vartiolampi village, one small campsite on the road to the lake.

All the houses in the park are not comfortable, they are wooden log cabins with stoves and bunks for spending the night. Each house has an equipped place for a fire, a woodpile with firewood, boilers, axes, and some houses have a sauna. Campsites are equipped sites for tents, garbage containers, toilets, fire pits and places for lunch: wooden tables and benches.

Communication and evacuation in the park

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

Fishing in Paanajärvi

In the park you can fish for spinning. The license allows you to catch any kind of fish. The license can be bought at the visitor center before visiting the park. Fishing is not allowed in all places, but only in certain sections of the Olanga River. However, you can still go fishing in the park. 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. Mostly grayling, brown trout and pike are caught in the river.

What to see in Paanajärvi

A visit to the park will be much more interesting if you make various outings. There are many attractions in the park, including Mount Kivakkatunturi with a beautiful view, Kivakkakoski waterfall, Olanga river, Mäntykoski waterfall, Ruskeakallio rock, Mount Nuorunen. There are special roads for cars and trails in the park. All trails are equipped with walkways across streams and swamps, as well as information boards. Also in the park there are a lot of specially prepared for the passes campfires (woodpile with firewood) and places for short overnight stays. On Lake Paanajärvi, you can order an excursion on a boat or boat "Hope".

What not to do in the park

Contacts of Paanajärvi National Park

Visitor center: 186667, Russia, Republic of Karelia, Loukhsky district, Pyaozersky st. Friendship 31

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

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

The Paanajärvi National Park was established in 1992 on the territory of the Republic of Karelia to preserve the unique natural complexes of Karelia, Lake Paanajärvi and the Olangi River.
The park has a picturesque landscape, there are numerous lakes, swamps and rivers with waterfalls and rapids.
The Paanajärvi National Park is located in the northwest of Karelia, in the Loukhi administrative region. The boundaries of the park coincide with the boundaries of the catchment area of ​​the main river of the park, Olangi, and Lake Paanajärvi. In the west, the park adjoins the state border between Russia and Finland.
The area of ​​the park is 104 thousand hectares, the area of ​​the protected zone is 6.8 thousand hectares.
In view of the location in the park, the climate is harsh, the temperature in winter reaches below - 45 degrees, in summer it reaches 30 degrees. At the same time, it is possible that snow will fall in June, and the lakes will be ice-bound.
The park has picturesque natural landscapes due to the low-mountain relief and numerous lakes. Relative height 500-600 meters above sea level. The highest point (550 m) of the Republic of Karelia, Mount Myantyu-tuntari, is located on the territory of the park.
On the territory are:

• 14 large,
• 102 medium
• about 350 small lakes.

The depth of Lake Paanajärvi reaches 128 meters. The rivers Olangayoki and Olanga also pass through the park.
The flora in Paanajärvi is the main attraction. The territory is inhabited by 36 species of mammals, brown bears and wolverines, and reindeer.
113 species of birds nest, including rare ones.
There are 16 species of fish in the rivers.
Here is the highest peak in Karelia, Mount Nuorunen, as well as the deepest lake in the territory of the republic, Lake Paanajärvi.

The territory of Paanajärvi is divided into zones:

• Recreational zone: a special zone in the park in which it is possible to find houses and campsites for tourists to spend the night.
• Protected area: to visit, get permission from the park administration
• Protected zone: rare and protected plants grow on the territory, strict records of these plants are kept, therefore visiting the protected zone is prohibited for tourists.

Visiting the territory is possible in winter and summer.
In summer, the park welcomes tourists from mid-July to mid-October.
In winter, the visiting season starts from mid-February to April.

The administrative center of Paanajärvi Park

The administrative center is located in the village of Pyaozersky, on its territory there is an exposition dedicated to the nature of the park, and permits are issued to visit the park, it is possible to order an excursion, book a house, get permits for fishing and picking mushrooms and berries.
The distance to the park is 60 km.
Address:
Republic of Karelia, Loukhsky district, pos. Pyaozersky, st. Druzhby, 31, 186667;
Phones:
(8- 1439)2-86-88
(8- 1439)2-85-04

How to get there

The following routes are used to reach the Paanajärvi National Park:

• From Moscow and St. Petersburg along the Murmansk railway to the station. Louhi;

Please note that trains to the Loukhi station arrive at night or early in the morning, so tourists may not get on the bus to the village of Pyaozersky and will need to spend the night in a hotel in the village of Loukhi.

• On the highway St. Petersburg - Petrozavodsk - Murmansk to the village. Loukhi (distance one thousand kilometers).
• From the village Loukhi to the village. Pyaozersky road 110 km.

When traveling by car, please note that 65 kilometers to the village of Pyaozersky is a dirt road, the condition of which is either flat or washboard.

Where to live

On the territory there are 20 houses for tourists, in the houses there is stove heating and a capacity of 3-15 people. Also in the village of Pyaozersky there is a hotel.

Services

• secure parking for vehicles;
• tent rental;
• bed linen rental;
• rent of the pleasure boat "Nadezhda";
• water excursion to the Myantyukoski waterfall on the pleasure boat "Nadezhda";
• rental of a boat with a motor, rowing boat, kayak, snowmobile;
• licensed fishing on lakes Pyaozero, Paanajärvi and the river. Olange;
• transport services.

When visiting and staying in houses on the territory, please note that:

• there is no electricity in the houses;
• there is no cellular communication in the territory;
• toilets are located on the streets;
• there is no running water in the houses;
• baths are located next to the houses;
• there are no houses with amenities on the territory;
• cottages are designed for 6 - 8 people.

Attractions

Mount Nuorunen and Mount Kivakkatunturi

Mount Nourunen, the highest mountain in the Republic of Karelia. The height of the mountain is 576 meters above sea level. The mountain has a flat top. Climbing the mountain, the tourist will see the panorama of the reserve and neighboring Finland.


Mount Kivakkatunturi, another name for the Stone Woman. The height of the mountain is 499 meters above sea level. From the mountain you can see the Olanga River and the rapids of Kivakkakoski, you can see the Vartiolampi tract. Pyaozero is also visible from the mountain.

The lake is 1 km wide and 25 km long. The depth of the lake is 128 meters. Fishing is allowed on the lake with the permission of the administration, it is also possible to rent a motor boat. Grayling, perch, pike live in the lake.
We also recommend visiting the following attractions.