Construction is underway on the “Ruskeala Looking Glass” tourism project in Karelia, which aims to attract up to 200,000 visitors annually once fully completed by 2030.
The development is being led by Ruskeala Sports Tourism Center LLC on the site of an already operating facility.
Over the next two years, plans include creating a campsite for motorhomes, a 20-unit glamping site, a visitor center with a 300-seat café, and a sports equipment rental facility.
According to Daily Karelia, additional features will include playgrounds, sports grounds, a parking area, new fences, and improved signage. The development is concentrated in the area of Ruskeala Mountain Park and near the Rymäkoski and Ahinkoski waterfalls, a region already popular with tourists.
“The project includes the development of a well-equipped tent campsite, the organization of a sports equipment rental point, the creation of hiking, cycling, and skiing routes, the arrangement of observation decks and recreation areas,” the Karelia Development Corporation reported.
“The project is being implemented on the basis of the existing campsite ‘Khutor Elki’. It offers tourists accommodation in guest houses and tent rentals. There is a café and a self-service kitchen on the territory, toilets and showers are organized, gazebos and fire areas are equipped.”
The investment is estimated at more than 200 million rubles, and the project is expected to generate 50 new jobs. Future phases include a four-story hotel with 320 beds and a spa center, according to company founder Dmitry Chernyshev.
For outdoor hospitality operators, the Ruskeala Looking Glass development highlights the growing integration of multiple tourism formats—traditional camping, glamping, and wellness-focused accommodations—within a single destination.
This diversified approach aims to appeal to a wide range of travelers and extend seasonal activity by offering year-round recreation options such as skiing and cycling.
It also underscores how strategic private investment can offset gaps in government support, particularly relevant in Karelia, where the region was excluded from a federal program allocating 15 billion rubles for glamping projects.
If completed on schedule, Ruskeala Looking Glass could serve as a model for tourism developments that combine natural attractions, modern infrastructure, and diversified accommodation options to increase visitor capacity and regional economic activity.
