Malla Strict Nature Reserve Malla Nature Reserve is Finland’s oldest nature protection area and was founded in 1916. It has an area of 30 km2 and it still remains in the same natural state as it did in former times.
Malla Nature Reserve is Finland’s oldest nature protection area and was founded in 1916. It has an area of 30 km2 and it still remains in the same natural state as it did in former times.
The park contains the unique Köli mountain range, where the soil is very calciferous, which has resulted in the lush vegetation there. Both maritime and continental climates meet in the park, and this is evident in both the vegetation and the changeable weather conditions.
A path runs through the park, from Siilaskoski, via Kitsiputous waterfall, towards the three countries border mark, and in summer this is the only legal route through the park. The trail is about 11 km long and signposted. There is also the option of taking a trip to or from the park by water taxi or M/S Malla boat. Boats leave either from the dock of the hiking centre, the hotel or the Koltalahti, from where it is a 3 km walk to the three countries border mark.
In winter time it is allowed to ski freely in Malla Nature Reserve, but in summer access is restricted to walking along the marked trail only. Driving by snowmobile through the nature reserve is strictly forbidden. Finland’s nature reserves were founded primarily to preserve the natural state of the area for research purposes. This is the reason that traffic within these areas is either forbidden or limited.