The Kurjenrahka National Park was established to protect mire and forest habitats unique to Southern Finland, to ensure the preservation of mire and forest species, as a natural attraction and for hiking, education and research. 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 384 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
Other Rules and Instructions
Forbidden Activities
Safety
Respect Nature
The outdoor activities in the Kurjenrahka 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
In the Kurjenrahka National Park, you may freely walk, ski, row and canoe, except in the restricted areas.
- Restricted area of Lammenrahka in Yläne (movement forbidden 15.1. - 15.7. except on Savojärven kierros trail.)
- Restricted area of the western part of Kurjenrahkan Mire (movement forbidden 15.4. - 15.7.)
- Restricted area of Vajosuo mire (movement forbidden 15.4. - 15.7.)
- Restricted area of Laidasuo-Lakjärvi (movement forbidden 15.4. - 15.7.)
Camping
Camping is only allowed at serviced campfire sites.
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.
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 forhibited 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.
Litter-free Hiking
There are no waste-bins or recycling points in the park. Measures should be taken in advance to avoid taking unnecessary waste into the area. Take away everything you brought along.
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.
There is a waste recycling point at Kurjenpesä.
Read more about Hiking without littering.
Fishing
Excluding protected water areas, ice fishing, hook and line fishing and lure fishing with a single rod are permitted in the national park.
Persons aged 18-69 years must pay the fisheries management fee (eraluvat.fi). Fishing permits are available from Metsähallitus' online shop (eraluvat.fi).
Fishers need to check the restrictions on fishing sites at kalastusrajoitus.fi (In Finnish).
Picking Berries, Mushrooms and Wild Herbs
Picking berries and edible mushrooms is allowed, except in restricted areas.
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.
Biking
Mountain biking is allowed according to everyman's rights, except in the restricted areas. Please stay on clearly marked trails and take other trail users into consideration.
Read more about biking in National Parks.
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 Kurjenrahka 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).
Forbidden Activities
- 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.
- Driving motor vehicles, except on roads designated for motor vehicles.
- Leaving waste in the area, or damaging constructions.
- Activities that disturb other people.
Regulation for Kurjenrahka national park
Regulations of Kurjenrahka national park (Pdf 384 Kt, julkaisut.metsa.fi, in finnish).
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.
- On the trails of the National Park, light shoes such as trainers are good enough footwear, except in winter. The marked trails mostly go into forests, and the wettest places have duckboards.
- Elk flys are usually quite common in the area in late summer and you should take this into account when choosing what to wear.
- Water bottle and packed meals are needed, because there are no shops or cafes. The kiosk at Rantapiha is open on weekends from spring to autumn.
- Dress for hiking in colorful clothes and according to the weather. You should always take toilet paper with you.
- 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 telephones work quite well in Kurjenrahka National Park, except in some areas in the park where cliffs or forest block signals. Read more about mobile phone coverage (112.fi).
- Hiking in Finland
- Before your trip see also page What is New.
Instructions and Rules in Vaskijärvi Strict Nature Reserve
Instructions and Rules in Vaskijärvi Strict Nature Reserve
