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Home:  What's New:  Punkaharju is one of Finland’s national landscapes

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Punkaharju is one of Finland’s national landscapes

The new website for Punkaharju Nature Reserve has opened in October 2009. Punkaharju Esker is a beautiful ridge between two large lakes in South-eastern Finland. The area’s landscape is easy to explore along marked trails and paths which crisscross along the ridge. The area has been an internationally known tourist destination for two hundred years already due to the natural beauty of its landscape.

Punkaharju Nature Reserve the oldest protected areas in the world

Nature protection has long traditions in Finland. Punkaharju Esker was granted the status of a Crown Park Reserve as early as in 1843. In the first half of the 1800s, Punkaharju Esker started to gain in popularity as tourist attraction. By the end of the 19th century, it had also become a national landscape praised by artists.

When Finland became independent in 1917, the Nature Protection Act was decreed, and it became effective in 1923. It took, however, 15 years before the first national parks and other protected areas were established. Punkaharju Nature Reserve received its present status as a nature reserve in 1991. Nowadays there are 35 national parks and 19 strict nature reserves in Finland and a large number of other protected areas, and the work for nature protection continues.

More information


Aug 16, 2010Savonlinna International Nature Film Festival 19 - 21.8.
Aug 13, 2010Thunderstorms Have Wreaked Havoc on the Trails and Structures of Helvetinjärvi National Park
Aug 11, 2010Amateur Radio Operators Hold Theme Week at National Parks
Aug 11, 2010World Heritage to Suit Every Taste – from 12th to 15th August 2010
Aug 10, 2010Storm Has Wreaked Havoc in the Evo Hiking Area – Hikers Beware
Aug 10, 2010Rewarding Efforts for Traditional Landscapes
Aug 10, 2010Vaarunvuoret is known for the majestic Vaarunjyrkkä cliff
Aug 03, 2010The Nuuksio forest fire started from a campfire
Jul 07, 2010Nuuksio Nature Centre - a unique showcase of Finnish nature and wood architecture
Jul 02, 2010Sámi culture in focus - International experts on sacred natural sites in protected areas at workshop in Finnish Sámi homeland
Jun 03, 2010River Oulankajoki Is No Longer Flooding – Karhunkierros Trail Open for Hikers
May 28, 2010The Shepherds of Koli National Park Begin Their Work - Popular Adventure Trips Combine Work and Pleasure
May 25, 2010Green Light for the Pyhä-Luosto Nature and Culture Centre Project
May 18, 2010Metsähallitus Advises against Canoeing on the River Oulankajoki or Hiking along the Karhunkierros Trail
May 10, 2010The Saimaa Ringed Seal Had a Successful Breeding Year - the Good Pup Count is the Sum of Many Factors
May 10, 2010Huts in the Urho Kekkonen National Park Are Being Restored for Visitors
Mar 31, 2010The Saimaa Ringed Seal Lair Count Has Begun
Mar 25, 2010National Parks Becoming Ever More Popular
Mar 15, 2010Riisitunturi National Park Voted Trekking Destination of the Year 2010
Mar 01, 2010The Crossbill Guide to Finnish Lapland including Kuusamo, appears on the 1st of March


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