The wild sea, lake, and marsh areas of Teijo National Park are located in the middle of a truly Finnish cultural landscape. It is part of the Natura 2000 programme (ymparisto.fi) and has major regional significance for the conservation of forest and mire biodiversity.
It is important to study matters dealing with the national park in advance and prepare yourself properly for your trip by reading the instructions.
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 Teijo 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
You can move freely on foot, by bike, skiing, rowing and kayaking in the national park.
Biking
Mountain biking is allowed according to everyman's rights. Always stay on clearly visible tracks and pay attention to other hikers. Avoid boardwalks.
Camping
Camping is allowed at serviced campfire sites.
Camping for large groups only in the reserved camping area, reservations at Kirjakkala ruukkikylä (ruukkikyla.fi).
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 wildire 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. The ban does not apply to the Kariholma cooking shelter.
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.
Read more about Hiking without littering.
Fishing
- Matildanjärvi Lake is one of Metsähallitus' special fishing destinations, and it is stocked regularly with rainbow trout large enough to keep. A specific permit for Matildanjärvi is required for any type of fishing in this lake. Lure fishing in Matildanjärvi also requires the fisheries management fee (eräluvat.fi) is required if you are 18-69 years of age.
- In the other lakes and the sea area of the national park, hook and line fishing, ice fishing and fishing with a single lure are permitted under everyman's rights. It requires the fisheries management fee (eräluvat.fi) if you are 18-69 years of age.
- The general fishing rights in the sea area also include fishing with a simple herring rig.
- 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.
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 the Teijo 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 Teijo National Park
- Loudness disturbing others between 22:00 and 07:00
- Operating motor vehicles, except on roads designated for them
- Littering and damaging structures
- Allowing dogs to swim in the most popular swimming spots
- Keeping your own boats/canoes on the shores of lakes in the area
- Use of all types of engines on the lakes belonging to the national park (Matilda-, Hamari- and Puolakkajärvi)
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.
- Dress for hiking in colorful clothes and according to the weather. Drinking water is good to have along.
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There are ticks living in the area. It is useful to pack tick pliers, and a tick check should be done every night.
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Snakes can be seen at the area enjoying the sunshine during warm seasons, so it is advisable to pack an antidote.
- 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 Teijo 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.
