Guidelines on using Open Wilderness Huts

1. Open wilderness huts are intended for hikers, skiers and other individuals moving under their own steam to use as resting points or for overnight stays lasting 1 to 2 nights. Visitors using other mode of transport or out on organised group tours or hikes may only use open wilderness huts as resting points during the day. We ask that larger groups use their own tents or reservable wilderness huts as overnight accommodation.

2. Tourist enterprises may not use open wilderness huts for overnight stays on their organised excursions, but they may use open wilderness huts as resting points during the day if they have permission to do so from Metsähallitus. Tourist enterprises organising paid for tours or hikes must use reservable or rental wilderness huts or privately rented accommodation for their customers to stay overnight at.

3. Some huts have specific guidelines in the hut´s own folder. Read the contents of each wilderness hut's own folder. It contains information on rules for the hut and instructions on how to use the equipment at the hut. The folder also contains useful information on outdoor excursions.

4. Check the condition of the hut's fireplace or wood stove before lighting a fire. Use the hut's firewood supply sparingly. If there is a gas cooker at the hut, read the instructions given for it, before using the cooker.

5. If the quality of the water at the huts water point is tested regularly this will be told in the hut's folder and there will be a statement by health authorities at the hut. We recommend that water which is not regularly tested or is taken from natural bodies of water be boiled before you drink it.

6. Taking other hikers into consideration is part of good hut etiquette. As a rule, high traffic situations at a hut can be solved by talking things out and space can be made for those who come last. The unwritten rule for the use of open wilderness huts is that those who come first always make room for those who come later. The purpose of this is to allow the last person in to dry their clothes and rest. You can leave packs and extra gear on the deck to make room for accommodation. Especially during the season, this should be taken into account and not exclusively stay overnight in the open wilderness huts. It is a good idea to always bring a tent or other shelter along. If you want to stay overnight and it is possible to book a reservable or rental hut, you will always be guaranteed accommodations.

7. Do not disturb other people staying at the hut. Smoking is forbidden in wilderness huts!

8. Find out in advance if it is allowed to bring pets in the hut. People accompanied by guide or assistance dogs have a statutory right to access all locations. This also applies to Metsähallitus huts.

9. Follow the directions for waste management and recycling. Burn only clean paper. Biodegradable waste should be left at composts or dry toilets. All other waste should be taken to the closest waste and recycling point.

10. Sign the hut's guestbook. Mark down any observations you have made as well as your next intended destination.

11. Before leaving make sure that there is a ready supply of chopped firewood for the hut's next visitors and carry them to the designated place inside the hut. Before leaving tidy-up the hut and its surroundings. Do not leave behind any extra items, for example food lures harmful animals into the hut. Empty the water container and take care of the waste according to the instructions. If necessary, cooled ashes can be emptied into the outdoor collection site. Close all the hut's doors and windows properly!