Värriö Strict Nature Reserve

Värriö Strict Nature Reserve spreads across a large forested area near the Russian border in northern Finland, containing varied woodland and wetland types. The area hosts wolves, wolverines, bears, and other rare species that live in relatively undisturbed conditions.

Designated as a strict nature reserve in 1981, it was one of the first areas in Finland to receive such rigorous protection for intact wilderness and predator populations. This legal status reflected growing interest in preserving large natural areas in their original state.

Local Sámi herders continue their reindeer practices within and around the reserve, shaping how the landscape is used and valued by people who live there. This connection to the land remains visible in daily routines and seasonal rhythms across the region.

Visiting requires advance permission from the managing authority, and only marked trails can be used to protect the fragile ecosystem. Prepare for wet conditions, boggy terrain, and harsh weather typical of northern forests, bringing appropriate gear for these challenging environments.

A long-running research station within the reserve has tracked predator-prey relationships for decades in completely undisturbed conditions. These observations provide rare data about how wolves and other hunters naturally live and interact with their prey in the wild.