Discover Loukhskiy District: Nature, Lakes and Sámi Culture

• The water network includes thousands of lakes, including Topozero, Pyaozero and Tikshozero, as well as hundreds of rivers and streams.
• The “Polar Circle” Landscape Reserve lies on the northwestern coast of the White Sea and includes adjacent marine areas.
• Paanajärvi National Park was established on May 20, 1992, and covers 104,473 hectares.
• In the mountainous part of the district are seid stones, sacred stones of the ancient Sámi; stone labyrinths lie along the White Sea coast.

The lakes are only part of the water network: there are also numerous rapids and waterfalls. Topozero, Pyaozero and Tikshozero are among Karelia’s largest lakes. This combination of large lakes, flowing waters and coastal landscapes gives the region a variety of natural highlights, without implying a particular route or walking time.

Alongside the coastal area, the “Polar Circle” Landscape Reserve includes adjacent marine areas extending from the shore to the border of Murmansk Oblast. Its habitats in Kandalaksha Gulf include waters, islands, shallow-water areas and coastal zones. Eider ducks breed and molt there, and other seabirds and waterfowl migrate through the area.

The Keretsky Landscape Reserve is also defined by its waters: of its total area of 21,000 hectares, up to 16,000 hectares are water. It was established to protect breeding eider ducks and promote their population, as well as to protect other threatened waterbird species. Animals found there include ringed seals and belugas.

The Kandalaksha State Nature Reserve includes islands and coastal sections along the Barents Sea and the White Sea. It also includes areas in Loukhskiy District, Republic of Karelia. Paanajärvi National Park, meanwhile, protects the natural areas of Lake Paanajärvi and the Olanga River basin. It covers a total of 104,473 hectares and was established on May 20, 1992.

Nuorunen Mountain, Karelia’s highest point at 576 meters above sea level, is part of the national park. It is one of the region’s largest granite massifs. Its summit is home to Europe’s southernmost and largest mountain tundra by area, with relict vegetation. The landscape there differs markedly from the coastal and shallow-water habitats of the “Polar Circle.”

Wildlife is another defining feature of the national park. Recorded species include 42 mammal species, 173 bird species, one reptile species, one amphibian species and 19 fish species. Paanajärvi is also an important protected area for a viable otter population; the species has almost completely disappeared from Karelia.

A permit from the park administration is required for a stay in Paanajärvi National Park, including when passing through. Check the park’s current procedures before your trip.

The mountainous part of Loukhskiy District is home to seid stones, sacred stones of the ancient Sámi. The stone labyrinths on the White Sea coast are considered cultural monuments of the ancient Sámi. Both are distinctive aspects of the region’s cultural history, alongside its natural and protected areas.

The grave of storyteller M. M. Korguev is in the village of Keret. In Chupa, the Matvey Korguyev Museum is dedicated to his life and work. Its collection also includes historical household items, tools and clothing that illustrate the everyday life of the Pomor Karelians of earlier times.

Traditional cultural and ethnographic festivals in Loukhskiy District include “Louhi’s Day – Mistress of the North” in August, as well as “Hello, Kestenga!”, “Matvey Korguyev’s Fairy-Tale Ship” and Fisherman’s Day in July. Check the latest event dates when planning your trip.

In the wider destination of the Republic of Karelia, the Kizhi Museum Reserve offers another cultural point of interest: its open-air collection includes 89 monuments of traditional wooden architecture, including chapels, houses, mills and granaries. The Onega and White Sea Petroglyphs UNESCO World Heritage Site includes 4,500 Neolithic rock carvings in the Republic of Karelia. The White Sea petroglyphs mainly depict hunting and sailing scenes with equipment, as well as animal and human footprints.

This lets you tailor your search to your interests without assuming any particular accommodation features.

If you’d also like to visit individual town pages, you can find Chkalovskiy and Plotina here.

Discover more destinations: Suoyarvsky District, Pitkyarantsky District, Kondopozhsky District, Segezhsky District, Belomorsky District, Medvezhyegorsky District.

Do you need a permit for Paanajärvi National Park?

Yes. A permit from the park administration is required for a stay, including when passing through. Check the park’s current procedures in advance.

In which months are the traditional festivals mentioned held?

“Louhi’s Day – Mistress of the North” is listed for August. “Hello, Kestenga!”, “Matvey Korguyev’s Fairy-Tale Ship” and Fisherman’s Day are listed for July. Check the latest dates before your trip.

Which places are associated with Matvey Korguyev?

His grave is in the village of Keret. The Matvey Korguyev Museum in Chupa covers his life and work and also features historical everyday objects of the Pomor Karelians.

For the wider travel overview: Republic of Karelia.