Discover Pitkyarantskiy District

In Pitkyarantskiy District, travel themes range from the landscapes around Lake Ladoga to places that recall the region’s history. Taiga, lakes and rivers shape the scenery, as do the Ladoga skerries. There is also a longer water route on the Uksunjoki, historic settlement patterns in Impilahti and memorial sites in the Valley of Heroes. As you plan your stay, you can use these different facets of the district to guide your excursions and interests.

Lake Ladoga, skerries and distinctive natural features

Pitkäranta District lies in the coastal zone of Lake Ladoga. Its landscape is characterized by taiga, rocky and sandy uplands, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, the Ladoga skerries and ravines. Ladoga Skerries National Park extends across the Lahdenpohja, Sortavala and Pitkäranta districts of the Republic of Karelia. The skerries are therefore also part of the wider landscape that defines Pitkäranta District.

One distinctive geological feature is the Uksinskaya Os ridge. It lies in the district, is designated a geological monument and is visited by geologists on field trips. This gives the ridge significance in its own right, alongside the variety of forests, rocks and waterways. Another natural feature is the planting of mountain pine (Pinus mugo). Its ornamental value also makes it interesting to ordinary tourists. The district’s varied landscapes thus offer several ways to experience its nature, without reducing its character to a single feature.

Water route on the Uksunjoki

A longer water route runs along the Uksunjoki River, passing numerous rapids through remote, uninhabited areas. Possible starting points are Lake Ukshyarvi near Raikonkoski or Lake Kyasnyasenyarvi near Kyasnyaselkya. The respective routes are about 100 and 50 kilometers long: the route from Lake Ukshyarvi is therefore roughly twice as long as the one from Lake Kyasnyasenyarvi. This comparison helps put the different route lengths into perspective without treating the routes as equivalent. If you are planning a trip, check local conditions in advance.

Memorial sites and history

The Valley of Heroes, also known as the Valley of Death, lies 19 kilometers from Pitkäranta. Some of the fiercest fighting during the Soviet-Finnish War of 1939–1940 took place there. The “Cross of Sorrow” monument was erected at the site of mass graves in 2000. The name, historical context and memorial marker are intertwined here, making the site a focal point for remembrance of the wartime events.

Impilahti also offers insight into the district’s history. The settlement has historic-site status and features a Finnish settlement layout. Preserved buildings include a bank, a clergyman’s house with its summer residence, and several historic homes. There is also a memorial cemetery for Finnish soldiers who fell in the wars of 1939–1940 and 1941–1944. The surviving buildings and the cemetery reflect different aspects of the settlement’s history; the buildings remain distinct as architectural heritage, and the cemetery as a memorial site.

Museum and walk in Rautalahti

The “U Master” Museum is located in Rautalahti. Its collection includes minerals and rock samples from the northern Ladoga area and other parts of Karelia, as well as historic everyday and craft objects collected in Zaonezhye and the Sortavala area. Natural history and everyday culture are presented as distinct themes. If you are interested in both, the collection provides a shared point of reference for your visit.

A walk on Chasovennaya Hill, including visits to chapels and a church, is also possible in connection with the museum. These buildings were constructed as part of the “Severnaya Fivaida” project. Check current visiting arrangements and the museum’s exhibits in advance; also check whether the walk is currently available. This lets you plan around the activities actually on offer, without combining the museum collection, religious buildings and walk into a single attraction.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Rautalakhti, Sortavala City, Pudozhsky District, Olonetsky District, Sortavala City, Suoyarvsky District, Kondopozhsky District, Pryazhinsky District.

For the overview of the wider travel region: Republic of Karelia.