Karelia is a land where you can truly relax with your soul. Enchant these places with their natural beauty: rivers, lakes and pristine forests. These lands can impress both lovers of a relaxing family vacation, and those who prefer active types of travel.
What nature reserves are there in Karelia? In order to preserve the beauty of local nature in the republic, which glorified its original and ancient land, national parks and reserves were organized.
General information
Karelian land is a land rich in forests, swamps, lakes, vegetation and wildlife. To preserve all this, protected areas have been created in Karelia.
Among 168 natural zones in the Republic of Karelia, there are three nature reserves. There are national parks, as well as many regional and federal reserves. All of them have special cultural, environmental and environmental significance. The creation of such zones contributes to the conservation of rare and endangered mammals, birds and plants.
Due to its geological, landscape and geomorphological diversity, Karelia has numerous natural sites that cause increased environmental, scientific and recreational-tourist interest. In this regard, these territories require special protection. To date, in the republic, in addition to national reserves and parks, there are about 47 reserves, 107 natural monuments and several lands of cultural and historical purpose.
National Reserves and Parks
The list of reserves of Karelia:
- “Kivach” is the most visited and one of the most popular protected corners of the republic, covering an area of 11,000 hectares.
- The Kem-Ludsky site of the Kandalaksha nature reserve is part of a huge Russian conservation area (an area of about 1608 hectares).
- Kostomuksha reserve is the largest of all protected areas (almost 48,000 ha). On its open spaces 182 species of birds, 26 species of mammals and a huge number of vascular plants are registered. The reserve of Karelia is popular among the "wild" tourists who make trekking tours along it.
National State Parks:
- Park "Paanajärvi" is the most picturesque park of Karelia, covering an area of 103.3 thousand hectares. On its territory there are several mountains, which are the highest in Karelia, rocks, waterfalls and natural reservoirs, the main among which is Lake Paanajärvi.
- Kalevala Park is the youngest protected natural area of a similar plan in Karelia. It was founded in 2007 in the northern territory of Kostomuksha district. Area - 74,400 ha. The main purpose of the park is to preserve the forests of Northern Fennoscandia, which is a physical and geographical country located in the northwestern part of Europe. This country received its name in honor of the Karelians, Scandinavians and Finns inhabiting it.
- Vodlozersky Park is a conservation area located in the Arkhangelsk Region (298 thousand ha) and Karelia (130 thousand ha). It was created in order to preserve the unique complexes of the surroundings of Lake. Vodlozero. Untouched by man and the most wonderful forests of this park in their area surpass all the forests of Western Europe.
Kivach
This reserve of Karelia, located in the Kondopoga region, is the oldest among all the reserves of Russia. It was created in 1931 with the aim of protecting the richest Russian North. In addition, the conservation area performs research tasks. Most of the area (about 80%) of Kivach is occupied by pine forests.
The unique object of the reserve is Sopokhskiy Bor with trees of 300 years of age and the most beautiful Kivach waterfall. Here live 216 species of birds and about 50 species of mammals. In total, 20 species of fish live in the Kivach reservoirs. Tourists can visit the waterfall and take excursions along special routes. Entrance to the reserve is by ticket only. Thanks to such measures, it is possible to reduce the impact of people on nature. There are observation platforms, gazebos, a souvenir shop, cafes, toilets and parking lots.
Kandalaksha Reserve
This reserve of Karelia simultaneously occupies the territory of the Murmansk region, Karelia, as well as the White Sea coast with its islands. It was created in 1937 in order to protect the habitats of waterfowl and near-water birds.
Nature is represented by hundreds of species of bryophytes and more than 600 species of plants. 70 species of mammals live in the reserve. The islands of Kandalaksha Bay are especially beautiful.
Here, too, special routes have been developed for tourists. There is a museum of nature; environmental events are often held for children. It should be noted that this reserve also includes the islands of the Barents Sea (Ainu) located near the Rybachy peninsula.
Kostomuksha reserve
The Kostomuksha reserve of Karelia, formed in 1983, extends across the territories of the Muezersky and Kalevala regions of the republic. It is partly located in Finnish territory.
The number of species of birds in the reserve is 180. Reindeers live here, and in the waters of rivers among many fish you can also find salmon that need protection. Longevity trees also grow in the reserve (200 years).
It is forbidden to collect vegetation, fish and hunt in the protected area. For tourists there are routes through which you can feel all the charms of the nature of these places.