Carpool service between Lieksa and Patvinsuo
Tips for hiking
Passage and movement restrictions
Shooting training 2024

 

Tips for winter hiking 

(Updated 18th of January 2024)

Familiarize yourself with The Outdoor Guide to Finland’s National Parks.You can find basic information, gear lists, safety tips, and destination suggestions for hikes.

Read Outdoor Etiquette and also check the Instructions and rules in the Patvincuo National Park before heading out on your hike.

Check movement limitations in Patvinsuo National Park. 

Verify which parking areas are available during winter. Note that Patvinsuo is a remote destination, and there may be delays in snow removal on small roads. It's advisable to keep a shovel and gravel bag in your car for slippery and challenging spots.

The trails in Patvinsuo National Park has no winter maintenance. You can access the trails with snowshoes or cross-country skis. Make sure to check the weather and snow conditions before your trip (ilmatieteenlaitos.fi).

Winter Hiking Safety

Flowing water weakens ice. Moving on ice is always at the hiker's own risk. Prepare for the hike with an adequate supply of drinking water and suitable provisions. Warm food and drinks help hikers stay warm.
There is limited daylight. Check the length of the day in connection with the weather before your hike (ilmatieteenlaitos.fi).
Even for a day trip, it's good to be equipped with a headlamp or flashlight.
Also, remember to dress warmly and according to the weather. Be prepared for the hike with enough drinking water and energy-rich snacks.
Always check the warnings in advance (en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi). The National Park may have some areas where the phone connection can be bad.
Download the 112 Finland application (112.fi) to your phone. When an emergency call is made through the 112 Finland application, the emergency center attendant is automatically informed of the caller's location.

Passage and movement restrictions in Patvinsuo

(Updated 18th January 2024)

In the national park, you are allowed to move freely on foot, skiing, rowing, and kayaking except in restricted areas:

  • Movement within the integrated monitoring area (YYS) around Hietajärvi marked on the map is prohibited from January 1 to July 10 and from August 1 to December 31.
  • Movement outside the marked trails is prohibited on the restricted areas marked on the map (Patvinsuo on both sides of Teretinniemi and Surkansuo) from April 1 to July 10.
  • Movement outside the marked trails is prohibited on the restricted areas marked on the map (Lahnasuo, Säästö-Maksimansaari, Iso-Maksimansaari, and Hulkkonen and its surrounding swamp areas) from February 15 to July 10.
  • Also, please note the restricted access to the shooting range.

Shooting training at the Finnish Frontier Guard's restricted military area

(Updated 18th January 2024)

The Patvinkierto trail leading from Lahnalampi parking area to Pirskanlampi camping area goes next to the Finnish Frontier Guard's restricted military area. This shooting range is marked in the terrain by red circles around tree trunks. Entering the restricted area during shooting practice is strictly forbidden, so stay at the marked trails.

During 2024 shooting practice will take place:
29.1.–1.2.2024
4.–8.3.2024
8.–12.4.2024
22.–28.4.2024
5.–9.6.2024
16.–18.8.2024
9.–13.9.2024
17.–24.9.2024
7.–11.10.2024
21.–27.10.2024
20.–22.11.2024

There are signs in the areas vicinity and along trails leading to the area with information about shooting practice times.

 

Waste management is being developed in Patvinsuo National Park

(Updated 1st of December 2022)

We are developing waste management in Patvinsuo National Park. In the future, the toilets in Surkansuo and Surkanpuro will be changed to suction-emptied ones, which will simplify both the waste management and the post-treatment of waste. The installation work is still a little under way at the sites, so for now the toilets in Surkansuo and Surkanpuro will still serve as dry toilets.

The toilet in the Kurkilahti parking area and the accessible toilet located near the Suomu Nature Information Hut are suction-emptied. Please note that you should not add litter or put organic waste in a toilet that is emptied by suction. Garbage among the toilet waste can cause problems in the further processing of the waste.

 

 

News in Patvinsuo

Tips for Outdoors

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Outdoor Guide: Safety