Patvinsuo National Park

Patvinsuo National Park is located in North Karelia, eastern Finland, within the municipalities of Lieksa and Ilomantsi, near the eastern border. It is a peaceful destination known for its wilderness-like nature.

The park holds international importance as a conservation and research area for mires. It also features old-growth forests and clear waterways bordered by long, sandy shores. The landscape offers a striking example of natural beauty in its untouched form.

The bear, the emblem animal of Patvinsuo, has a strong presence in the area but is rarely seen due to its shy and elusive nature. The park is also home to a wide variety of bird species, including swans, cranes, geese, waterfowl, grouse, and birds of prey.

One of the highlights of the park is the Autiovaara old-growth forest, which has remained undisturbed for over a hundred years. Among the ancient pine and spruce trees draped with beard lichen, large aspens also thrive. Lake Suomunjärvi, located in a ridge area formed at the end of the last Ice Age, features about ten islands with winding inlets and roughly 24 kilometres of sandy shoreline.

Patvinsuo National Park has a flourishing bear population. While the animals themselves remain hidden, their tracks are a common sight—silent traces of the forest’s most iconic inhabitant.

For more information go to: https://www.luontoon.fi/en/destinations/patvinsuo-national-park

Photo: Public Domain, Creative Commons