Instructions and Rules in Oulujärvi Hiking Area

Instructions on Exploring Oulujärvi Hiking Area

In the hiking area the following is

Allowed

• Moving around and camping, according to the Everyman's right, although it is recommended that visitors camp in the designated places. On Manamansalo Island, camping is only allowed on the campfire sites.
• Picking berries and mushrooms.

• Fishing with licences. You need to pay a fisheries management fee (eraluvat.fi). For fishing, you will need a licence. You can purchase fishing licences from Metsähallitus netstore (eraluvat.fi). More information and licences are also available at the Manamansalo Camping (manamansalo.fi), tel. +358 (0)8 874 138. Fishers need to check the restrictions on fishing sites at kalastusrajoitus.fi (in Finnish and Swedish).

Restricted

• Campfire is only allowed at sites marked for this purpose.
• Fishing with licences. You need to pay a fisheries management fee (eraluvat.fi). For fishing, you will need a licence. You can purchase fishing licences from Metsähallitus netstore (eraluvat.fi). More information and licences are also available at the Manamansalo Camping (manamansalo.fi), tel. +358 (0)8 874 138. Fishers need to check the restrictions on fishing sites at kalastusrajoitus.fi (in Finnish and Swedish).
• 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).

Forbidden

• Lighting campfires if the forest fire warning or the grass fire warning is in effect.
  • Making open fires is always prohibited at both marked campfire sites and when fires are permitted by the land owner if a forest fire warning has been issued for the area (ilmatieteenlaitos.fi). 
  • This prohibition does not apply to cooking shelters or other fireplaces with a flue.
• Pets running at large
• Driving motor vehicles, except on roads designated for motor vehicles
• Leaving waste in the area, or damaging constructions

Preparations

Mobile Phone Coverage

Although Finland has a broad network for mobile phones, there are some areas in the hiking area 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.

Peak Seasons 

The most popular time for hiking trips is the Midsummer weekend in the end of June.

Boating

Lake Oulujärvi is the fourth largest lake in Finland, and in the autumn storms can be strong. Therefore a seaworthy boat is required.

Lake Oulujärvi usually freezes over in November and, because of the large size of the lake, the ice melts as late as in the end of May.

Safety

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 Take