Finland is moving forward with the construction of a new day shelter at Korvatunturi, a remote location in Urho Kekkonen National Park, near the country’s eastern border with Russia. The project is being implemented jointly by the municipality of Savukoski and the state forestry agency Metsähallitus, and it is expected to be completed by late summer or early autumn 2025.
Finland: new day shelter at Korvatunturi with access restrictions
The new shelter will be open to the public free of charge and without the need for reservations. However, it is intended strictly for short-term visits, and overnight stays will be prohibited. This decision aligns with conservation goals and the shelter’s location within the restricted Finnish border zone, where access requires a permit from the Border Guard.
The new structure replaces a former border patrol cabin, transferred to Metsähallitus in 2022. Until now, plans to build a shelter in the area had been stalled due to park management restrictions. The initiative received a boost when Metsähallitus secured special funding in 2022 to support the development of the Korvatunturi area.
Finland: infrastructure project in remote Korvatunturi border zone
Located in a landscape known for its natural beauty and cultural symbolism—Korvatunturi is often considered the mythical home of Santa Claus—the area attracts around 1,000 hikers annually, according to estimates by local authorities. It is also used by reindeer herders, tourism operators, hunters, and the Finnish Border Guard as a rest point.
Building materials will be airlifted to the site in June via helicopter, given the remote terrain. Savukoski municipality is responsible for the construction work and will oversee the shelter’s future maintenance.
Despite being located in a sensitive and regulated area, Metsähallitus has confirmed that hiking routes to Korvatunturi will remain open during construction. The shelter is seen as a response to long-standing demands for better infrastructure to support controlled public access without encouraging mass tourism or environmental degradation.
Metsähallitus expands maintenance in Lapland national parks
In parallel with the Korvatunturi project, Metsähallitus is carrying out other maintenance efforts in Lapland, including replacing duckboards along marshy walkways at the Napapiiri recreation area in Rovaniemi and along the Tunturiaapa nature trail in Pyhä-Luosto National Park. These actions are part of a broader strategy to enhance safety and sustainability in Finland’s protected natural areas, especially as outdoor tourism continues to grow.
By focusing on infrastructure that balances access and protection, Finland reaffirms its commitment to preserving sensitive borderland environments while accommodating the needs of local communities and responsible visitors.
