About

Paanajarvi National Park is situated on a compact protected nature territory of exceptional value.

The boundaries of the Park practically coincide with the boundaries of watershed of the main river of the Park – Olanga river and the pearl of the area – lake Paanajarvi. Its total area is 104473 hectares. Landscapes of the Park are exceptionally picturesque: mountain ridges are split by deep gorges, numerous lakes and various mires, fast streams with frothing rapids and waterfalls break up the terrain. Slopes of hills and valleys are covered with pristine almost untouched forest with spruce domination. Above 400-450 meters spruce is succeeded first by spruce-birch sparse stands and then by dwarfish birch and tundra vegetation.

The main purpose of establishing Paanajarvi National Park was to preserve the unique nature complexes of lake Paanajarvi and Olanga river and to use them in nature protection, recreation, educational and research activities.

Since establishing of the Park strict conservation of biological diversity has been ensured on its territory. In our days tourism is becoming an important factor in economic stabilization and preservation of the nature and cultural heritage. Development of tourism in the National Park is based on building awareness of the necessity of nature conservation – the idea which is becoming quite popular both with the foreign and Russian tourists. The Park’s policy in respect of tourism is aimed not at just attracting more visitors but at ensuring interesting and cognitive stay in the park without harmful impact on the ecological systems.