Before visiting the park
Exlore the winter landscape
Climate
In terms of temperature Panaajärvi has a continental climate. The difference between the mean temperature of the coldest and the warmest month is around 30°C. The best period to visit is from April to October.
What to bring
Boots and other water-resistant shoes are required for hiking. When hiking, warm clothes are preferable, though in summer you may find it unnecessary because of the surprisingly hot weather although mosquitoes are abundant. You should be well prepared and carry a good repellent as well as wearing long sleeved tops and trousers as natural protection. Here, not far from the Arctic Circle, nights may be cool even in summer. Therefore, a good sleeping bag guarantees sweet dreams. You will be more comfortable if you have a tent. On a long walk, it is advisable to take an overcoat. A camera, binoculars and compass are well worth taking.
Maps
http://parks.karelia.ru/paanajarvi/kk01.html
How to get there
By air
The closest airport is located in Kuusamo (Finland) which is 150 km from the park. The closest Russian airport is located in Murmansk, which is 500 km from the park.
By bus
There is no bus connection to the park.
By train
By rail you can travel to Loukhi railway station. From Loukhi there is a 110-km road to Pyaozero.
By car
From Pyaozero settlement there is a 59-km dirt road going to the park.
The settlement is accessible from three directions: from the east, south, and west:
From Moscow, St.-Petersburg or Petrozavodsk you can get to the park by following the St.-Petersburg-Murmansk highway to the Loukhi settlement.
A dirt road goes from the town of Kostomuksha through the Kalevala settlement to the settlement of Pyaozero (253 km). From Finland the border can be crossed at the Suoperyä-Kortesalmi cross-border checkpoint (60 km to the settlement), or at the Vartius-Lutta cross-border checkpoint. Vartius-Lutta cross-border checkpoint. The visitor centre of the Paanajärvi National Park is located in the Pyaozero settlement.
Visitor Centre
In the visitor centre of the park:
- theatrical excursions in the museum of the visitor center (three languages).
The visitor centre of the Paanajärvi National Park is located in the Pyaozero settlement.
Park Facilities
- Group and individual visits to the park, routes are indicated in one-time passes that can be obtained at the office of the park in Pyaozero.
- Overnight stay in a rental cabin supplied with firewood.
- Use of a sauna.
- Camping and campfires are allowed in designated places only.
- Mushroom and berry picking, if a permit is available.
- Instructor-led boating trips.
- Snowmobiling and skiing trips - according to indicated trips.
- Licensed fishing on lakes and rivers inside the Park.
- Instructed services, water or land transportation services according to set rates.
- Admission with accommodation in a log house.
- Rental of a boat with engine.
- Canoeing.
- Guided tours in the park are available both in Finnish and English.
- Guided tours in the visitor center.
- Excursions on a traditional replica boat along Paanajärvi lake.
Trails in the park
One-day route: Pyaozrsky settlement - Paanajärvi Lake - Pyaozrsky settlement
Two-day route: Pyaozrsky settlement - Jungojarvi Lake -Neris Lake - Pyaozrsky settlement
Three-day route: Pyaozrsky settlement - Paanajärvi lake - Kivakkakoski waterfall - Kivakka mountain - Pyaozrsky settlement
Four-day route: Pyaozrsky settlement - Paanajärvi lake - Kivakkakoski waterfall - "Asteronjarvi"path- Kivakka mountain - Pyaozrsky settlement
For more info: http://parks.karelia.ru/paanajarvi/45.html
Equipment rental
In Paanajärvi National park, it is possible to rent boats with or without an engine: canoes as well. You can learn more about these possibilities by contacting the visitor centre.
Rescue service
There is a rescue department in Pyaozerski, the telephone numbers are 01 and 03 (first aid).
Services for disabled
The visitor centre in Pyaozero can be accessed by the disabled.
Overnight stays in the park
In Paanajärvi you can stay in log houses, tourist shelters and tents. There are 15 log houses in the park, located mostly along the river Olanga. You can book them by conatcting the park directorate either by phone: +7 814 39 38504 or email paanajarvi [dot] tur [at] onego [dot] ru
Camping is only permitted in specialy marked places.
Rules
The following activities are prohibited in the Park:
- Driving or parking of any motor vehicles.
- Hunting or transporting weapons by car without permission from the park administration.
- Collection of plants or herbs, disturbing and digging the land.
- Collection of minerals or mountain rocks.
- Damaging monuments of nature, history and culture, information stands and signs.
- Unauthorised drawing on dwellings, trees or stones.
- Felling or damage to trees and underbrush, cutting firewood.
- Making a fire in non-designated places.
- Domestic animals and birds.
- Net fishing, unauthorised sports and amateur fishing.
- Placing trash in non-designated places.
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