Karelia is often called the lake and forest edge. It is no wonder that such a place has become popular among tourists and locals are not averse to travel in his native land. For example, driving on northeast from the town of Pudozh, you can find undeveloped and almost unpopulated areas with protected and untouched nature.

Twenty years ago, on these lands the reserve was created. Formed in April 1991 he became the first national Park in the Northern part of Russia. This event played a significant role in environmental activities across the country. The total area of the reserve is about 5,000 sq km, and covers two regions: the Pudozh district (Eastern part of the Republic of Karelia and Onega (Arkhangelsk region).

Vodlozersky national Park is considered one of the largest worldwide reserves with pristine nature. The local fauna is very diverse. In the Park there are about 38 species of mammals, 22 species of fish and 5 species of reptiles. Only due to the weak influence of the man in the Park survived such a diversity of species. In remote places deep in the national Park have found shelter, endangered animals and birds. For many rare birds of prey such as the Golden eagle, white - tailed eagle and osprey, remote places have become a reliable house. Also protected lands became a shelter for land animals. Frequent meetings with reindeer, elk and brown bear and smaller animals: badger, marten, Fox, lynx, Wolverine, muskrat, and even a wolf.

The national Park runs a rapid and abundant river called Ilex, and there is a picturesque lake Vodlozero, stretching more than 400 km, and was Named a national Park in honor of this lake. Vodlozero extremely popular with local fishing enthusiasts and is considered one of the best fishing spots in the Karelian region. Any fisherman will not refuse to taste the delicious soup from such species as bream, burbot, whitefish, pikeperch, which fully inhabit the waters of the reserve. The water area is more than 10% of the total Park area, water spaces, which give a sense of serenity and blue of the landscape, if you look at the reserve with a bird's eye view.

But more interesting, and not just for scientists, on the territory of the reserve are swamps. And it's not only in the diversity of wetlands, and that more than 40% of the national Park waterlogged. Here, in a swampy area, grow not only cloudberries and cranberries, and herbs such as rosemary and marsh cinquefoil. Meet and under the special protection of plants and mosses.

As for flora Park, in fact, the whole area of the reserve is an array of taiga, untouched by human hand. In Vodlozersky national Park grow old spruce, larch and pine. The whole forest, fortunately, did not suffer from fires and are not subjected to the cuttings.

In addition to pristine nature in the Park is preserved and rich cultural heritage. So, here you can find architectural monuments of XVIII–XIX centuries in the form of peasant houses and chapels. The most prominent ancient monument recognized Ilyinsky Pogost. It consists of: the Church of Elijah the Prophet and the assumption of the virgin, a small bell tower and beautifully chopped the fence. Though, and there is an official date of construction of the churchyard (16.04.1798 years), there are earlier data on it. The temple complex was restored and rebuilt. But after 1995 Ilyinsky Pogost was a functioning temple and spiritual center of all of Vodlozero area.

Every year Belozersky national Park hosts a large number of guests, offering a huge variety of activities. Here you can raft the rivers, calm fish in peace, walk on the nature trail. In addition, the reserve is actively involved in cooperation with educational institutions, conducting special tours for schoolchildren and students.