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
Drone Flying
Forbidden Activities
Peak Seasons
Safety
Respect Nature
The outdoor activities in the Petkeljärvi 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 Petkeljärvi National Park, you may freely walk, ski, row and canoe, except for any restricted areas.
Using motorboats is only permitted in Petkeljärvi and Valkiajärvi lakes.
Camping
Camping is only permitted in the camping area.
Lighting Campfires
A covered barbecue shelter and a reservable campfire hut can be found in Petraniemi. Lighting fires is prohibited in other areas.
At Petkeljärvi Camping Ground there is a camp kitchen.
When a forest fire warning has been issued, fires may only be lit in the campfire hut. In these situations the hut will be open for everyone to use. Always check the current warnings (ilmatieteenlaitos.fi).
Litter-free Hiking
The National Park's recycling point is located at Petkeljärvi Camping Ground. Biodegradable waste should be placed in a dry toilet or composter, and 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
Hook and line fishing and ice fishing are allowed under everyman's rights.
Persons aged 18-64 years must pay the fisheries management fee (eraluvat.fi). If you fish with more than one rod, you also need Metsähallitus' angling permit no 7413 for Southern Finland (eraluvat.fi). Fishing permits are available from Metsähallitus' online shop (eraluvat.fi).
For trap fishing, in addition to paying the fisheries management fee, you will need Metsähallitus' trap fishing permit no 7004 for Ilomantsi (eraluvat.fi, in Finnish). Permits can also be purchased by phone at +358 (0)20 69 2424.
However, all types of fishing are prohibited in Kuikkalampi, Pieni Kuikkalampi, Savulampi and Mustalampi lakes.
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.
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.
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 Petkeljärvi 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).
Drone Flying
The entire Petkeljärvi National Park belongs to the ADIZ border zone, which means that all drone operators must submit a drone flight plan to AIS Finland in advance. You can find instructions to prepare flight plans at AIS Finland’s website (ais.fi). You can also call customer service at the Koli Nature Centre for further information.
In the Petkeljärvi National Park, drone flying that disturbs other people or animals is prohibited. You must be especially cautious during the nesting period of birds.
Other Forbidden Activities in the Petkeljärvi National Park
- 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.
- Hunting.
- Driving motor vehicles, except on roads designated for motor vehicles.
- Landing aircrafts on the park's waters without specific permission by Metsähallitus.
- Leaving waste in the area, or damaging structures.
- Covering, changing, damaging, removing, violating or excavating in archaeological sites.
- Activities that disturb other people.
Rules and Regulations for Petkeljärvi
The rules and regulations of Petkeljärvi National Park (pdf 76 Kb, julkaisut.metsa.fi, in Finnish), ratified on 3 February 1978.
Peak Seasons
Petkeljärvi National Park is a popular destination for short hiking trips. It is most visited between Mid-Summer and the first week of August. During May school camps frequent the park.
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 telephones work quite well in Petkeljärvi National Park, except in some areas in the park where cliffs or forest block signals. Download the 112 Finland application (112.fi) to your phone.
- Dress for hiking in colorful clothes and according to the weather. Sturdy shoes are needed in the park's rugged terrain.
- Drinking water and toilet paper are good to have along.
- Hiking in Finland
- Before your trip see also page What is New.
When forest and grass fire warnings (en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi) are in effect, fire is only allowed at covered campfire sites that have a flue. A fire can be also lit in fireplaces at wilderness and other huts. Always use extreme caution when handling fire. The one who lights a fire is always responsible for its safe use. Please note, that making fire at these campfire sites can be banned locally. 
