Instructions and Rules in Ekenäs Archipelago
Ekenäs Archipelago National Park was established to preserve a representative part of the archipelago and marine nature in the Gulf of Finland and to promote environmental research and activities in nature. It is important to study matters dealing with the national park in advance and prepare yourself properly for your trip by reading the instructions, rules and regulations of the park (Pdf 440 Kt, julkaisut.metsa.fi, in finnish).
Getting around in nature is limited in the restricted areas. Take a look at the restricted areas in the national park on Maps pages and in Excursionmap.fi.
Respect Nature
Pets
Getting Around in National Park
Camping
Lighting Campfires
Litter-free Hiking
Fishing
Picking Berries, Mushrooms and Wild Herbs
Biking
Hunting
Drone flying
Other Rules and Instructions
Forbidden Activities
Safety
Respect Nature
The outdoor activities in the Ekenäs Archipelago National Park are guided with the rules and regulations. When getting around in nature, let’s show respect for it. Take a look at the Outdoor Etiquette.
Please don’t share any such contents on the Internet that break the rules of the national park.
Respect not only nature, but also fellow hikers. In the archipelago, voices can be heard far away. This means that it is best to enjoy the archipelago and meeting your friends without loud music and similar loud noises.
Pets must always be kept on a leash and their droppings must be picked up.
Sheep in nature management work and their feeding are taken care of. Please do not bring anything to the sheep or give them anything to eat or drink from outside the pastures or anything that is otherwise unsuitable for them, as they may fall ill. If you go through a pasture gate, make sure that you also close the gate behind you.
Getting Around in National Park
Visitors to the national park are allowed to navigate the waters and land on islands as well as move around the islands by foot or skis or in another manner allowed by everyman's right, with the exception of restricted areas.
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Landing is prohibited between the 1st of January and 31st of December on the following islands: Lågskär-Mellanlandet, Hjortronskär-Äggolskär and the western part of Jussarö which belongs to the National Park. This prohibition to land protects the terrain and the species of the islands. However, it is allowed to hike along the marked trail at Jussarö.
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Landing is prohibited between the 1st of January and 31st of December on the following islands: Lågskär-Mellanlandet, Hjortronskär-Äggolskär and the western part of Jussarö which belongs to the National Park. This prohibition to land protects the terrain and the species of the islands. However, it is allowed to hike along the marked trail at Jussarö.
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Landing is prohibited between the 1st of April and 31st of July on the following islands: Gaddarna, Äggharukobbarna-Äggharun and on the islets of Mossklobben, Skyffelskär, Vitharun and Drängharun which are located on the western side of the islands of Gaddarna and Äggharukobbarna-Äggharun.
Access to both water and terrestrial areas is prohibited between the 1st of January and 31st of December on Älgön Verkviken and Älgön Verkfladan. Similarly, access to Älgön Storträsket is prohibited between the 1st of April and 31st of July. However, it is allowed to swim on the southern bay head of Älgön Storträsket.
Read more about the rules and regulations of the park (Pdf 440 Kt, julkaisut.metsa.fi, in finnish).
Biking
Mountain biking belongs to the Everyman’s Rights. Stay on clearly marked trails and be considerate to other trail users.
In practice, cycling on islands is challenging and does not necessarily make sense because of steep cliffs and other obstacles. Jussarö has a slightly longer and smoother dirt road from the guest harbour to Iron Beach.
Camping
Camping is only permitted in designated camping areas located on the following islands: Jussarö, Fladalandet, Modermagan, Älgö and Rödjan.
Staying overnight is also possible in your own boat or by booking accommodation from Jussarö's entrepreneur.
Lighting Campfires
Lighting a fire is allowed at the maintained campfire sites that have been marked on the map and in the terrain. You are only allowed to use the firewood that has been reserved for the purpose. The person who lights the campfire is always responsible for the fire.
Campfire sites are located on the following islands: Jussarö, Rödjan, Modermagan and Fladalandet.
All these campfire sites are open fire sites where it is not allowed to make fires during wildfire warnings.
The use of a portable camping stove is allowed in areas where hiking is allowed. During the wildfire warning, the use of hobo stoves is not allowed, as sparks may be created.
Lighting any campfires is strictly prohibited if the wildfire warning is in effect. Always check the current warnings (ilmatieteenlaitos.fi). This prohibition does not apply to cooking shelters or other fireplaces with a flue.
All these campfire sites are open fire sites where it is not allowed to make fires during wildfire warnings.
Forest or terrain fires are particularly dangerous in the archipelago. The fire spreads quickly. The arrival of the fire brigade with extinguishing equipment from the mainland takes time due to the distance. A lightning might ignite a fire. Cigarette butts can also start a fire. Please always pick up your cigarettes, for example in a small box.
Litter-free Hiking
Take away everything you brought along. The less money is spent on the removal of litter, the more money is left on the management of the islands.
You can put leftovers and other biowaste in a dry toilet at rest spots.
Small amounts of clean paper and cardboard may be used as kindling at a campfire site or a fireplace at a hut. Other waste, such as packages that contain aluminium foil or plastic, may not be burned in a fireplace, as they may form non-biodegradable waste and toxic gases.
Read more about Hiking without littering.
Fishing
Excluding protected water areas, fishing is permitted in the national park;
Picking Berries, Mushrooms and Wild Herbs
Picking berries and edible mushrooms is allowed, except in the restricted areas. In Jussarö, picking berries and mushrooms is not recommended because the soil contains a lot of heavy metals due to previous mining activities.
Taking or damaging trees, bushes, other plants or their parts, or mushrooms other than edible ones is forbidden. Picking wild herbs and flowering plants is prohibited.
Local residents can apply for waterfowl hunting permits between the 10st of September and 30 st. November to some islets located in the southern parts of the national park, west of Äggharun. See the instructions of the park (Pdf 440 Kt, julkaisut.metsa.fi, in finnish).
Drone Flying
Flying drones is allowed anywhere visitors are allowed to go to, as long as it does not disturb other people or wild animals. You must be especially careful during the nesting period of birds.
Other Rules and Instructions
Events organised in the archipelago must be agreed upon with Metsähallitus and reported to Metsähallitus. This can be for example research, organised events, the shooting of films or advertisements in the terrain. Further information on required permits: research and access permits (metsa.fi) and permits and notifications related to events (metsa.fi).
The use of the trails and structures of Ekenäs Archipelago National Park for business activities is always subject to a fee, and for frequent business use, a contract with Metsähallitus (metsa.fi) is required. The right of use fees for specific days are paid at the Eräluvat webshop (eraluvat.fi).
Other Forbidden Activities in the Ekenäs Archipelago National Park
- Taking or damaging trees, bushes, other plants or their parts, or mushrooms other than edible ones
- Damaging soil or rock, and extraction of earth material or minerals
- Killing, catching or disturbing wild vertebrates, or damaging their nests
- Catching or collecting invertebrates
- Leaving waste in the area, or damaging constructions
Safety
It is important that you get as much information as possible about your hiking destination in advance and prepare for your trip thoroughly. Knowing your route and sticking to it and knowing what the weather and warnings in effect (ilmatieteenlaitos.fi) has in store, will help make your trip a success.
- Wear colourful shoes and clothing that are suitable for the sea and outdoors. Road conditions can sometimes change rapidly from a sunny summer day to very windy or even stormy conditions. There are very steep cliffs on the islands that are slippery when wet. Depending on the destination, means of transport and weather, boots are sometimes the best choice.
- Each person on board must have a lifejacket or float that is the right size for them. If you fall into water, a life jacket will significantly improve your chances of survival and also facilitate search and rescue.
- Protect yourself from ticks. Wear long trousers and shirts with long sleeves. Avoid high and damp grass which are the favoured terrain of ticks. Stay on the trails. Do a tick inspection after a trip, daily on longer excursions; don’t forget to also check your children and pets. It is a good idea to pack tweezers for removing ticks.
- Bring a water bottle and a packed lunch. Take special care that you have enough to drink on a hot summer day, depending on the length of the trip. In the national park area, café and restaurant services provided by entrepreneurs are only available in Jussarö during the summer.
- Fresh water should be used particularly sparingly in the archipelago.
- You should always bring toilet paper and sunscreen in the summer.
- The southern part of the park is suitable for experienced sea kayakers.
- You can enjoy the winter in the archipelago by skiing on ice at your own risk. There are no ski tracks in the park area.
- Make sure you pack a first-aid kit. If you face an emergency on your hike, e.g. get lost, get injured or observe wildfire, call 112 and report an emergency. More information on how to act in an emergency.
- There is a defibrillator at Jussarö Guest Marina.
- Although Finland has a broad network for mobile phones, there are some areas in the park without signal. There may also be some smaller spots where there is interference. On Rödjan signal is weak. Bring along a spare power source. Read more about mobile phone coverage (112.fi).
- Hiking in Finland
- Before your trip see also page What is New.
