The Kostomuksha nature reserve was established in 1983. It is the Russian part of the Russian-Finnish "Friendship" nature reserve (est. 1990).

Since 2015, the Kalevalsky national park has been added to the nature reserve. In 2017, the nature reserve received the status of the UNESCO and became a biosphere reserve "Metsola", which includes Kostomuksha nature reserve, Kalevalsky national park and Kostomuksha urban district.

There are numerous lakes; Kamennoe being the largest among them with sinuate shores and 99 large and small islands. The park is surrounded by primarily dense spruce and pine forests, and many hundreds of years have seen rare meadows appear where abandoned Karelian villages used to stand - it is very picturesque. The Kamennaya river which flows from the lake is rapid in the upper reaches, but in the lower reaches it slowly twists between sandy hills.

The nature reserve is the “cradle” of forest reindeer. On the islands of Kamennoye Lake, small deer are born and take their first steps. 

Ancient rune-singing villages were in these places. Materials for the world famous Epic "Kalevala" were collected here. We keep the Karelian cultural heritage and, since 1993, have revived the traditional feast "Petrunpäiva".
The Kostomuksha nature reserve has water and hiking eco trails. The office is located in the city of Kostomuksha and attracts visitors with a modern exhibition on the nature and culture of Karelia.

Welcome!