The Malahvia Nature Reserve is a remarkably large, contiguous area of old-growth forest for the Kainuu region. The area of the Malahvia Nature Reserve is approximately 2,380 hectares. The area is a watershed: a rich complex of mires, small waters, and boreal natural forests. It is one of the largest and most important small water sites in Kainuu. Dozens of natural stream valleys and ponds make Malahvia an extensive and significant small water destination. The entire Malahvia area has nearly 30 lakes and ponds.
The western part of the area is dominated by large, uniform coniferous forests, while the eastern part consists of mires with forest islets. The mires are natural, sparse, and of a relatively small size. The dominant tree age is mainly 140-160 years, and forests have also regenerated after fires. Spruce (Picea abies) occurrences are scattered, and dead standing trees are found throughout.
During the periods of tar production and slash-and-burn agriculture, Malahvia was, in places, heavily utilised. Place names suggest that shifting cultivation was practised in Malahvia. The area was also a battlefield during the Second World War. In some places, forests were felled (e.g. thinning operations) as late as the 1990s.
Malahvia is a significant area for the conservation of threatened old-growth forest species. Numerous threatened, near-threatened, and rare species from several biological groups have been found there. Cavity-nesting birds and old-growth forest birds form a high proportion of the total bird species diversity. According to a bird survey, the Malahvia area has the highest proportion of cavity-nesting birds among the protected areas studied in Kainuu, and it is also among the top in Kainuu based on the proportion of old-growth forest species.
Malahvia borders the kingdom's border and is located near the border zone Kalevala Park, which was established in 2014. The Murhisalo Natura area is approximately 9 kilometres to the southeast and the Kalevala National Park on the Russian side is approximately 11 kilometres to the northeast. (Source: ELY Centre for Kainuu)
Malahvian Nature Reserve location
The area is located north of Kuhmontie and Malahviantie in Suomussalmi, Yli-Vuokki. The nature reserve can be accessed via Helpola-Pehkolantie, which branches off Kuhmontie, from where a network of forest roads branches off into the nature reserve. The area can also be reached via Honkajärventie, which runs from Kuhmontie to Raatteentie. The western edge of the Malahvia Natura area borders Iso-Äylä lake, and to the west, the eastern shore of Kivi-Kevätti lake. The far shore and island of Kevättijärvi also belong to the Malahvia nature reserve. A lean-to shelter at Hukkalampi is located in the northern part of the area.