The Pechengsky District offers several distinct highlights to explore: the Pasvik Nature Reserve on the border with Norway, space history in Korzunovo and cultural attractions in Nikel. If you’re looking for a holiday rental, first plan your trip around the theme that interests you most: nature, historic sites or attractions in town.
Natural Areas and Planning Your Visit
The Pasvik Nature Reserve lies in the Pechengsky District, on the border with Norway, and is considered a protected area of special ecological interest. Because it is located in a border zone, a permit is required to visit the reserve. Check the current procedure directly with the reserve before your trip. The reserve’s visitor centre is outside the border zone; to visit, you must make an appointment by phone at +7 815 54 50 700. In Nikel, the centre has a permanent exhibition on the history and nature of the reserve.
A waterfall on the Shuoni River is near Nikel. The library organisation also lists natural attractions around the town, including a cedar grove and a waterfall on the Shuoniyoki River. A bus is required for these trips, and bookings must be made by prior arrangement.
Space History and Historic Sites
Yuri Alexeyevich Gagarin, the first human in space, served in the town of Korzunovo in the late 1950s. The Gagarin Museum in Korzunovo displays the cosmonaut’s personal belongings and “space gifts” from Star City. Check current visiting arrangements before you go.
The local history museum in Nikel tells the story of the Sámi, Vikings and Russian Pomors in the region. The Boris and Gleb Church offers a different perspective on the past: it stands near the village of Borisoglebsky on the border with Norway and was built in 1565 on the left bank of the Paz River. The Kola Superdeep Borehole in the Pechengsky District is 12,262 metres deep and is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the deepest borehole in the world.
The region’s wartime history is also part of its historical context. The fighting on the Petsamo-Kirkenes Front ended in October 1944 with the liberation of the Pechenga area and the eastern parts of the Norwegian province of Finnmark.
Walks and Events
The route of the Friendship Ski Race crosses the borders of three countries; the race is considered a landmark event in the Pechengsky District. If you’d like to plan your trip around it, check the event dates.
In Nikel, the central library offers walks accompanied by a librarian; bookings must be made by prior arrangement. The central children’s library also organises local history and nature excursions along Nikel’s streets, both in person and online. The activities therefore differ in both format and organisation: prior arrangements are required for the accompanied walks, while the children’s library excursions are offered in two formats.
When taking trips around the area, bear in mind that they require extra planning: a bus is needed to reach the natural attractions mentioned, and bookings must be made by prior arrangement. This can also help you choose the focus of your accommodation more clearly—walks and cultural attractions in Nikel, or natural sites that require separate planning.
Discover more destinations: Nikel, Tersky District, Monchegorsk, Murmansk, Tersky District, Kola District, Olenegorsk, Kirovsk.
See the regional travel overview: Murmansk Oblast.
