Cycling tour in Paanarvi

Paanajarvi National Park is one of the most inaccessible places in the Northwest. 

Here, the mountain peaks are separated by deep gorges, numerous lakes, various swamps and stormy rivers with noisy rapids and waterfalls. 

The slopes of the mountains and river valleys are covered with virgin, almost undisturbed forests, among which spruce forests strongly predominate. 

The landscapes are fascinating – see for yourself on a seven-day multi-active tour of the park.

The tour is conducted individually, on request. The cost can be clarified with the manager.

Location

Russia, Republic of Karelia, Louhi urban-type settlement
from
$414
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
7 Days
6 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • Dates for next season
    • 13 – 19 August, 2025
or
Accommodation
  • Tent
    6 nights
Comfort
  • Basic
Difficulty
Challenging
Does not require specific skills, but one must be in good health
Group
Up to 17 people
Minimum age
14 years old
Group meet at
Russia, Republic of Karelia, Louhi urban-type settlement
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

Unity with nature
We will feel happiness from being surrounded by the fascinating landscapes of Karelia
Boat trip
We will sail along the deepest lake among the lakes of Russia, Finland and Sweden — Lake Paanarvi
Hiking romance
We will wake up and fall asleep to the sounds of wild nature, there are thousands of stars in the "hotel"
The huge rock of Ruskeakallio
We will meet the steep 60-meter rock Ruskeakallio
Myantyukoski Waterfall
The height of this handsome man reaches almost 9 meters, the water falls in five steps

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Acquaintance. National Park "Paanarvi"

    We will meet at the Louhi railway station (we recommend train No. 16A), get acquainted with the instructors — you will easily find them, they will be in branded blue T-shirts. 

    After a brief acquaintance, we get on the buses and go to the starting point of our adventures — the village of Pyaozersky (109 km). 

    The journey will take 2-2.5 hours.

    Before we set foot on the territory of the Paanajarvi National Park, we stop at the visitor center to register. 

    Here, in the visitor center, there is also a museum, which we will definitely look into. 

    Wildlife is represented in all its glory in the Paanajarvi National Park: high mountains, clear rivers and deep lakes, as well as rare species of animals and plants listed in the Red Book. 

    It is for these reasons that the park itself is divided into several zones: there is no access to two of them, but the third – recreational – is organized for tourists. 

    There are strict rules in this area that must be followed.  

    This is done in order to protect and preserve natural landscapes and Red Book plants and animals. 

    We continue our journey, we go to the shore of Lake Paanajarvi on the territory of the national park itself. 

    The entire national park was named after this lake. 

    We are staying in a tent camp in a specially equipped parking lot.

    After lunch, we go on a walking tour.

    In the evening, we help the instructors prepare dinner and spend time talking around the campfire.

    1 more photo
  • Day 2 - Astervayarva Nature Trail walking route
  • Day 3 - Boat trip on Lake Paanajarvi. Myantyukoski Waterfall
  • Day 4 - Climbing Mount Kivakkatunturi
  • Day 5 - Bike route to Kivakkakoski Waterfall
  • Day 6 - Bike route to Lake Tsipringa
  • Day 7 - The final morning in the National Park of Paanarvi
Difficulty
Does not require specific skills, but one must be in good health
Tour organizer's comments

Physical training is necessary on this bike route, as bike rides are quite large (up to 40 km per day). This offer is not recommended for people with chronic diseases/injuries of the knees, joints, etc.

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Tent
    6 nights
Comfort
  • Basic

The tour includes accommodation in tents.

Tent 6 nights

Accommodation in four-person tents for 3 people. Each participant is provided with an individual thermal insulation mat.

Tour conditions

Group
up to 17 tourists
Minimum age
14 years old
Duration
7 days 6 nights
Group meets at
Russia, Republic of Karelia, Louhi urban-type settlement

Included in price

  • transportation services according to the program;
  • meals according to the program;
  • the work of an instructor;
  • rental of cycling equipment: bicycle, helmet, bright vest;
  • excursion service in the national park "Paanayarvi".

Paid extra

  • train tickets to and from Louhi station;
  • sleeping bag (comfort temperature +6°, extreme 0°) – 500 rub./tour. It is paid at the time of booking the tour;
  • insurance of medical and other unforeseen expenses (from 100 rubles/person /day).

It's important to know

Personal equipment you need for the tour

1. Backpack or travel bag.

2. Clothes:

  • tight pants – 2 pairs (not jeans);
  • thin fleece jacket or T-shirt (depending on the weather forecast);
  • light windbreaker (clothes should "breathe");
  • cycling gloves (recommended, but not required);
  • bike shorts (recommended, but not required);
  • raincoat or membrane jacket (in case of bad weather);
  • 2-3 pairs of regular socks;
  • headdress (cap or bandana). Remember that during the running day you will still have a helmet on your head.

3. Comfortable shoes WITHOUT heels, 3 pairs:

  • one for an active day on bicycles (shoes must completely cover the foot, sandals are prohibited),;
  • the second one is for the camp (you can take rubber boots if it rains according to the forecast);
  • The third one is "urban".

4. Personal items:

  • repellents (mosquitoes, midges);
  • bicycle goggles (optional, but it is a good protection from wind and insects);
  • a headlamp with a set of spare batteries;
  • sunglasses and sunscreen and after sunburn, if it is sunny according to the forecast;
  • personal hygiene products (including toilet paper) and an individual first aid kit;
  • small polyurethane seat mat;
  • portable charger;
  • personal utensils (mug, deep bowl, spoon).

5. Documents: passport, medical insurance policy (photocopy is possible).

6. Money.
We recommend that you always have a small amount of cash with you so that, if desired, you can quickly buy the necessary things at stops along the route.

7. You can take a camera.

Remember that you should always have 1 set of dry clothes. Be sure to check the weather forecast before your trip. Synthetic, quick-drying clothes are more practical. The raincoat should be tight and reliable.

The clothes you will be wearing during the day should cover your elbows and knees, as well as be dense enough so that mosquitoes/midges cannot bite through them.

What kind of cycling equipment is provided?
Will there be a mobile connection on the route?
How is safety ensured on the route?
What are the physical fitness requirements of the participants?
How can I prepare for the tour?
How to protect yourself from a tick bite?
What are the rules of conduct on the bike route?
At what age can children participate in cycling?

Dates and Prices

The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, for clarification
  • Individual dates available on request
    15 Jun – 1 Sep, 2025
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $414
    13 – 19 Aug, 2025 7 days 6 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now