Paanajärvi National Park, National park in Karelia, Russia
Paanajärvi National Park is a protected wilderness area in Karelia centered around the large Lake Paanajärvi, surrounded by dense coniferous forests and granite cliffs. Numerous smaller lakes and streams fill the landscape, creating a varied ecosystem of water and forest throughout the territory.
The park was established in 1992 to protect the natural environments and geological features of northwestern Karelia. The lake itself was formed through ancient tectonic processes that shaped the entire landscape millions of years ago.
Finnish and Karelian people have long depended on fishing and reindeer herding in these lands. These practices shaped how the landscape looks today and remain part of the local identity.
You need a permit from the park administration to enter, and staff offer guided tours on marked trails during the warmer months. The best time to visit is between June and September when weather is more stable and trails are fully accessible.
The lake reaches depths greater than 120 meters, making it one of the deepest bodies of water in the region. These extreme depths were created by tectonic shifts that make the lake geologically remarkable.
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