Finland builds new day shelter in border zone at Korvatunturi

By admin On Jun 10, 2025

Korvatunturi in summer from southwest, the Finnish side. Photo: Wikipedia Commons

Finland is constructing a new day shelter in Urho Kekkonen National Park, near the Russian border, fulfilling a long-standing goal to improve visitor facilities at Korvatunturi. The project is being carried out by the municipality of Savukoski and the state forestry agency Metsähallitus.

The shelter will be located within a restricted border zone, requiring permits for access from the Finnish Border Guard. It replaces a former border patrol cabin that Metsähallitus acquired in 2022.

The new facility will allow only short-term visits. Overnight stays will not be permitted. It will be open to the public free of charge and without the need for reservations.

A plan to construct a shelter at Korvatunturi has existed for decades. Stakeholders including reindeer herders, the Border Guard, local tourism companies and hunters have all pushed for a resting point at the site. A previous ban on new construction in the area had prevented the project from moving forward.

According to Metsähallitus, building materials will be airlifted by helicopter in June. Savukoski will handle construction and long-term maintenance. Completion is expected by late summer or early autumn.

“The worksite will not affect hiking routes. Visitors can still reach Korvatunturi while construction is under way,” said Jarmo Asell from Metsähallitus’ Parks and Wildlife Finland unit.

In 2022, acting municipal manager Eeva-Maria Maijala estimated that nearly 1,000 hikers visit Korvatunturi each year.

The Korvatunturi shelter is one of several trail infrastructure upgrades Metsähallitus is undertaking this summer. In addition to the work at the national park, the agency is replacing duckboards at the Napapiiri recreation area in Rovaniemi and along the Tunturiaapa trail in Pyhä-Luosto National Park.

Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi