Instructions and Rules in Pyhä-Häkki National Park

Respect Nature
Pets
Getting around in National Park 
Camping
Lighting Campfires
Litter-free Hiking
Fishing
Picking Berries, Mushrooms and Wild Herbs
Biking
Horse Riding 
Drone Flying
Other Rules and Instructions
Forbidden Activities
Safety

Respect Nature

The outdoor activities in the Pyhä-Häkki 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.

Letting pets running at large is forbidden. Dogs and other pets are welcome in the national park but only on a leash.

Getting around in National Park

Visitors may move about the park in accordance with Everyman's rights. However, horseback riding is only permitted on the roads of the national park.

Camping

Temporary camping is allowed. It is recommended to camp close to the campsites.

Lighting Campfires

Campfire is only allowed at Kotajärvi cooking shelter and campfire place. When the wildfire warning is in effect, fire lighting is allowed only in the built fireplace of the cooking shelter. Always check the current warnings (ilmatieteenlaitos.fi). The person who lights the campfire is always responsible for the fire.

During wildfire warning, the use of hiking stoves is allowed, but not hobo stoves (spark hazard).

Litter-free Hiking

There are no waste-bins in the area. Measures should be taken in advance to avoid taking unnecessary waste into the area.

Biodegradable waste can be placed in a dry toilet (Kotajärvi and Tulijärvi). Please note that the toilet at information point is emptied with suction. It is not allowed to put leftovers there, because it would cause problems with waste treatment.

Small amounts of clean paper and cardboard can be used as kindling in a campfire. 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

Fishing is not permitted in the park.

Picking Berries, Mushrooms and Wild Herbs

Picking berries and edible mushrooms is allowed. Taking or damaging trees, bushes, other plants or their parts, or mushrooms other than edible ones is forbidden. Picking wild herbs is therefore forbidden.

Biking

Mountain biking is allowed according to everyman's rights. Always stay on clearly visible tracks and pay attention to other hikers.

Horse Riding 

Horse riding is allowed only on the roads.

Drone Flying

Flying a drone is allowed as long as its operation does not disturb people or wild animals. Special care should be taken during the bird nesting season.

Other Rules and Instructions

As a rule, a permit issued by Metsähallitus is required for activities other than those included in everyman's rights, which may include research, organised events and 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 Pyhä-Häkki 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 Pyhä-Häkki National Park

• Extraction of earth material or minerals.
• Killing, catching or disturbing animals, or damaging their nests.
• Driving motor vehicles, except on roads designated for motor vehicles.
• Leaving waste in the area, or damaging structures.
• Covering, changing, damaging, removing, violating or excavating in archaeological sites.
• Other activities that may adversely affect the natural conditions, landscape or conservation of species in the area.
• Activities that disturb other people.

Rules and Regulations for Pyhä-Häkki

The rules and regulations of Pyhä-Häkki National Park (pdf 140 Kb, julkaisut.metsa.fi, in Finnish), ratified on 18 June 2012.

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. 

• 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.
• Mobile phone coverage is quite good in Pyhä-Häkki National Park, with the exception of a few blind spots. Download the 112 Finland application (112.fi) to your phone.
• Dress for hiking in colorful clothes and according to the weather. 
• There are no shop or restaurant services in the National Park. It makes sense to pack picnic food and a water bottle for a day trip.
• Note! The dry toilets are not stocked with toilet paper.
• Outdoor Guide
  • Safety 
  • What to Pack
  • How to hike without leaving a trace?
  • Outdoor Etiquette