New day shelter planned in Urho Kekkonen National Park

New rest stop at Korvatunturi as joint project by Metsähallitus and Savukoski municipality

A long-standing wish is coming true in Finland’s Urho Kekkonen National Park: a new day-use shelter will be built at the legendary Korvatunturi, located directly on the Russian border. The project is a collaboration between the municipality of Savukoski and the Finnish state forestry agency Metsähallitus.

A refuge in a protected border zone

The new shelter will replace a dilapidated former border patrol cabin, which came under Metsähallitus’ ownership in 2022. Situated within Finland’s border zone, the site requires a special access permit from the Finnish Border Guard. The shelter will be freely accessible and open to the public without reservations, but only for daytime use. Overnight stays are not permitted, and no separate wilderness hut is planned.

A project with a long history

Plans for a rest shelter at Korvatunturi have existed since the 1990s. The remote location is not only considered the mythical “home of Santa Claus” but is also regularly visited by reindeer herders, tour operators, hunters, and the border guard. According to the municipality, around 1,000 hikers visit the area annually.

Until recently, construction was not permitted under the park's official management plan. However, special funding granted in 2022 has now made the project possible. Building materials will be airlifted to the site by helicopter in June, and the municipality of Savukoski will oversee both construction and future maintenance.

The shelter is expected to be completed by late summer or early autumn 2025. “Construction work will not affect access to Korvatunturi – hiking to the site will still be possible,” assures Jarmo Asell from Metsähallitus, who is responsible for Finland’s national parks and wilderness areas. Learn more about Urho Kekkonen National Park.

More on Urho Kekkonen National Park.

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