The Vargachnoye-Korbozerskoye Natural Monument in Pudozhsky District is characterised by fragments of primeval taiga forest. The Muromsky Nature Reserve on the eastern shore of Lake Onega is characterised by a long stretch of sandy shoreline. Vodlozero adds a historical geographical perspective to this natural landscape.
Taiga forests and protected areas
The Vargachnoye-Korbozerskoye Natural Monument is named after the lake of the same name, one of the largest bodies of water within the protected area. The area includes small fragments of primeval taiga forest that show no significant traces of human intervention. It also encompasses habitats of animal, plant and lichen species listed in the Red Data Books of Russia and Karelia. Its flora and fauna are typical of the middle taiga subzone in north-western Russia and also include rare, endangered and protected species.
The Muromsky Nature Reserve lies on the eastern shore of Lake Onega and includes more than 40 km of shoreline with sandy beaches 5 to 80 m wide. Behind the beaches, sand hills arranged like pearls extend parallel to the shore. Muromsky is one of the few places in Karelia with well-developed dunes. Both the coastline and the landforms behind it shape the landscape of the protected area.
A visitor permit and proof of payment are required to visit the Muromsky Nature Reserve; eligible groups are exempt from payment. Check the current rules with the reserve administration before your trip.
Vodlozero and its historical context
Vodlozero is a distinctive area in what is now Pudozhsky District and belonged to Pudozh County (Pudozhsky Uyezd) until 1927. The names place the area in two different time periods: Pudozhsky District is the present-day geographical context, while Pudozh County is its historical context up to 1927.
In the wider destination of the Republic of Karelia
Beyond Pudozhsky District, the Republic of Karelia offers other nature and culture experiences. In central Karelia, Kivach Waterfall is located on the Suna River and has a drop of 10.7 m. After the Rhine Falls, it is Europe's second-largest lowland waterfall. An overview excursion in Kivach Nature Reserve includes an outdoor walk to the waterfall, as well as a visit to the dendrological collection and the nature museum. A 1,000 m circular trail runs through a wooded area on the banks of the Suna, near the excursion zone; an excursion along this trail takes 1 to 1.5 hours. Check conditions and booking with the operator.
The Kizhi Museum Reserve in the Republic of Karelia also brings together architecture and crafts. Its open-air collection features 89 monuments of traditional wooden architecture, including old chapels and houses, mills, granaries, threshing barns and drying racks. Visitors can explore the interior of the Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God and peasant houses; traditional peasant crafts are demonstrated inside the houses.
The UNESCO World Heritage site of the petroglyphs of Lake Onega and the White Sea comprises 4,500 Neolithic rock carvings in the Republic of Karelia. The Onega petroglyphs include more than 1,200 figures in Pudozhsky District, most of them located on the three central capes of Pery Nos, Besov Nos and Kladovets. The White Sea petroglyphs mainly depict hunting and sailing scenes, together with related equipment, as well as animal and human footprints. The regional descriptions therefore differ: for the Onega petroglyphs, the emphasis is on their number and distribution; for the White Sea petroglyphs, it is chiefly on the motifs depicted.
Discover more destinations: Pyalma, Pryazhinsky District, Segezha District, Loukhsky District, Kondopozhsky District, Sortavala, Medvezhyegorsky District, Belomorsky District.
For the overview of the wider destination: Republic of Karelia.
