Lososinnoye: Discover nature in the surrounding area

The “Shore of Lake Lososinnoye” nature and recreation area was designated to protect and restore natural complexes and features along part of the lake shore. Within the wider travel region of the Republic of Karelia, the protected area is in Prionezhsky District, 10 km southwest of the city of Petrozavodsk. It covers parts of forest compartments 74–77 and 87 of the Lososinsky forestry district.

The designated area combines the protection and restoration of natural complexes with recreational purposes. These include physical activity and health promotion; the development of ecological and nature tourism, as well as tourism and recreation, are also planned. This means the local nature attraction is more than just a name for a landscape: it encompasses both conservation and explicitly stated recreational goals.

Special rules apply to motorized travel in the protected area: motor vehicles and other motorized vehicles may be driven only on specifically designated roads and parked only in specially equipped parking areas. Exceptions apply to specially authorized vehicles, motorized vehicles during the snowy season, and certain forest protection measures and other activities set out in the protected-area regulations. Check the current version of the regulations before visiting.

The wider travel region describes Prionezhsky District in terms of recreation areas, landscapes, forest products, sandy beaches, pine forests, and rivers with rapids. Another nature attraction is the Kivach Nature Reserve: the waterfall is on the Suna River in central Karelia and has a drop of 10.7 m. It is Europe’s second-largest lowland waterfall after the Rhine Falls.

A general tour of Kivach includes an outdoor walk to the waterfall, as well as visits to the arboretum and the nature museum. Also described is a 1,000 m circular trail through a wooded area on the banks of the Suna, near the excursion zone. The circular trail excursion is listed as taking 1 to 1.5 hours. Check conditions and booking with the operator.

The Kizhi Museum Reserve displays 89 monuments of traditional wooden architecture in the open air, including old chapels and houses, mills, granaries, threshing barns, and drying racks. Visitors can see the interior of the Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God and peasant houses, where traditional peasant crafts are demonstrated. The Kizhi Pogost is also home to the world’s only multi-domed wooden Church of the Transfiguration.

For archaeological attractions, the World Heritage Site of the Onega and White Sea Petroglyphs comprises a total of 4,500 Neolithic rock carvings in the Republic of Karelia. The Onega petroglyphs include more than 1,200 figures in Pudozhsky District; most are located on the capes of Pery Nos, Besov Nos, and Kladovets. The White Sea petroglyphs mainly depict hunting and sailing scenes, including equipment, as well as animal and human footprints. Near Belomorsk, more than 2,000 different carvings are found in the lower reaches of the Vyg, near its mouth at the White Sea and 6–8 km from Belomorsk.

Discover more destinations: Spasskaya Guba, Yalguba, Pitkjaranta, Mikli, Kostomukscha, Kuzaranda, Matrosy, Salmi.

What is the area by Lake Lososinnoye intended for?

It is intended to protect and restore natural complexes. Other stated purposes include recreation, physical activity, health promotion, and ecological and nature tourism.

What does a general tour of Kivach include?

It includes an outdoor walk to Kivach Waterfall, as well as a visit to the arboretum and the nature museum.

How do the Onega and White Sea petroglyphs differ?

The Onega petroglyphs are notable, among other things, for their figures on three principal capes. The White Sea petroglyphs are dominated by hunting and sailing scenes with equipment, as well as animal and human footprints.

For the wider travel overview: Republic of Karelia.