Province of Eastern Finland, South Savo Region
Municipality of Punkaharju
(www.punkaharju.fi, in Finnish)
Area: 6,5 sq.km. Established in 1991
The
area is managed by Metsähallitus.
Punkaharju esker ridge has been an internationally known tourist
destination for two hundred years already due to the natural beauty of its
landscape. It is one of Finland’s national landscapes and the beautiful lake
views which open from between its majestic pines are still the area’s biggest
draw. The area’s landscape is easy to explore along marked trails and the paths
which crisscross along the ridge. The Puruvesi and Pihlajavesi lakes shimmer
brightly between majestic pines on summer days. It is not difficult to
understand why Punkaharju Esker draws visitors from one year to the next.
Punkaharju Esker Nature Reserve is an example of esker formation at its most
beautiful. The peculiarity of this area is that it has such a long history as a
tourist attraction and its cultural and historic sites. The area’s natural
features have been maintained with special emphasis on landscape values. The
Kokonharju Old-growth Forest is the spot in the area, which is closest to its
natural-state and no forestry or management is practiced there. Punkaharju Esker
Nature Reserve is one of the world’s oldest reserves, as the area was named a
crown-owned park already in 1843. The area received its present status as a
nature reserve in 1991. Management of the nature reserve was transferred from
the Forest Research Institute to Metsähallitus at the beginning of 2008.
