Instructions and Rules in Kylmäluoma Hiking Area

Instructions on Exploring Kylmäluoma Hiking Area

• Everyman's Rights are valid in the hiking area, except at Kylmäluoma Outdoor Centre, which has its own rules and regulations.
• Campfire may only be lit at designated campfire sites and only with the wood that has been left there by maintenance personnel.
  • Making open fires is always prohibited at both marked campfire sites and when fires are permitted by the land owner if a wildfire warning (ilmatieteenlaitos.fi) has been issued for the area. 
  • This prohibition does not apply to cooking shelters or other fireplaces with a flue.
  • During summer visitors should always be cautious when lighting campfires as the area's pine forests are dry and can catch fire quickly.
• Visitors may use parking areas located at Kylmäluoma Outdoor Centre and at the harbour on Lake Kylmäluomajärvi.
• Dogs and other pets must be kept on a lead, especially as there are reindeer in the area.
• Reindeer graze on the lichen in the area's forests. Visitors should leave reindeers alone and steer clear of them, especially when the young are being marked in June and during mating season in September-October. During mating season bucks guarding their herd of females may be aggressive towards people.
• As a rule, a permit issued by Metsähallitus is required for activities other than those included in everyman's rights, which may include research and organised events. Further information on required permits: research and access permits (metsa.fi) and permits and notifications related to events (metsa.fi).

Preparations

Mobile Phone Coverage

• Although Finland has a broad network for mobile phones, there are some areas in the park where cliffs or forest block signals. There may also be some smaller spots where there is interference. If this happens try to climb to a higher place or go into an open area. It may be worth removing the SIM card from your phone and then trying again to make emergency call. Different phones also differ in their coverage.
• We recommend that you keep your mobile phone warm at all times and take along food and drink. Certain phone models do not work when the temperature falls below zero. You should therefore let someone know your planned route. To keep your mobile phone charged, bring along a spare power source, a spare battery or an old phone with a working battery.
  • Background information on how to act in case of an emergency.

Equipment and Safety

• The hiking trails in Kylmäluoma are not very demanding and lead through forest. Visitors will not need special equipment to walk or hike in the area. All the area's wetlands have duckboards. In the ridge area there are stairs up slopes and bridges crossing streams and small sounds. Visitors can wander the trails situated close to the outdoor centre wearing trainers as footwear, during dry weather. Longer treks require more thorough preparations.
• All the trails are marked with paint markings on trees, but hikers should have a trailmap with them at all times. Maps are available at the reception desk for the outdoor centre.
• There is a campfire hut on the shore of Lake Kylmäluomajärvi trail passing through a protected old-growth forest area. Other rest spots in the area are lean-to shelters or campfire sites. Each rest spot has a campfire site, a dry toilet and firewood (ax and saw).
• The water in Kylmäluoma's lakes and streams is usually safe to drink, but water quality has not been tested. Drinking waters is at your own risk. More information can be found on the Hiking in Finland page.
• Rental cabins and rented rowboats are always equipped with life vests.
• The forests in Kylmäluoma Hiiking area are mainly pine dominated and there are few leafed-trees. Therefore the area is a perfect destination for those who are, for example, allergic to birch pollen. There are also few mosquitoes for this same reason.
• 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.
• Make sure you pack a first-aid kit.
• Hiking in Finland:
  • What to Pack
  • Outdoor etiquette

Waste Management

• The outdoors destinations within the hiking area do not have waste bins. It is the responsibility of each hiker to dispose of waste that accumulates during the trip. Use campfire sites to burn those articles which can safely be burnt and compost biodegradable waste in designated places. Take all other waste out of the area to recycling points. You can get more information on recycling and waste management on the Hiking Without Littering page.

Peak Seasons

• The hiking area's peak tourist season is during the summer months. From Mid-Summer (around 20.6.) to the beginning in the school year (mid-August) it is a favorite family holiday destination. The Kylmäluoma Outdoor Centre fills up during this time with caravaners and people renting cabins. The most popular trails are the short ones close to the outdoor centre, such as the nature trail and Hukanharjunpolku Trail. The longer trails and the wilderness zone in the west part of the hiking area are quieter.
• The rustic Ahveninen and Aarnikämppä rental cabins are so popular that for summer stays they should be reserved a year in advance.
• From the beginning of March to the beginning of May there are skiers and ice fishers in the area.