Instructions and Rules in Tiilikkajärvi National Park

9.8.2024.
The well at Uiton Kämppä is dry.

Tiilikkajärvi National Park is a nature reserve intended as a public attraction. Its purpose is to preserve the authentic and wild forest, mire, and water habitats of Ylä-Savo. 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 987 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
Other Rules and Instructions
Forbidden Activities
Peak Seasons
Safety

Respect Nature

The outdoor activities in the Tiilikkajärvi 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 Tiilikkajärvi National Park, you may freely walk, ski, cycle, row and canoe, except in the restricted areas:

  • Entering and landing on the restricted areas marked on the map (Sarvisuo, Alussuo, Honkasuo, and Hietasuo) is forbidden between 15 April and 15 July.
  • While there is no snow on the ground, access to and landing on the restricted areas marked on the map (Pohjoisniemi-Kalmoniemi esker area) are only permitted on the marked trails and sites and at the camping sites. 

Camping

Camping is only permitted at designated sites, which are the camping sites of Venäjänhiekka and Koseva.

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 the stove in the Koseva open wilderness hut.

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

Hook and line fishing and ice fishing are allowed under everyman's rights.

However, hook and line fishing and lure fishing from the shore are prohibited in the parts of Pohjoisniemi and Venäjänhiekka beaches where restrictions apply.

Persons aged 18-69 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). These permits can be purchased in the web shop (eraluvat.fi).

Trap fishing in Tiilikka Lake is only permitted for the residents of Rautavaara municipality. In addition to paying the fisheries management fee, Metsähallitus' trap fishing permit no 7001 for Ylä-Karjala/Ylä-Savo (eraluvat.fi, in Finnish) is also needed for trap fishing. Permits can also be purchased by phone at +358 (0)20 69 2424.

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 is therefore forbidden.

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 Tiilikkajärvi 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 Tiilikkajärvi 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.
  • 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 Tiilikkajärvi

The rules and regulations of Tiilikkajärvi National Park (Pdf 4.2 Mb, julkaisut.metsa.fi, in Finnish), ratified on 11 March 1988.

Peak Seasons

Tiilikkajärvi National Park is a popular summer weekend destination, so that is when it will be the most crowded. Most visitors walk the Uiton kierto Trail and Tiilikan kierto Trail.

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 Tiilikkajärvi 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. Drinking water and toilet paper are good to have along.
  • During dry prerioids in summer even sneakers will do for footwear. However spring flood and rainy perioids will raise waterlevels so high that rubberboots with long shaft are needed.
  • Visitors going to Tiilikanautio estate should take a snake venom antidote pack with them as adders (Vipera berus) have been seen each year on the grounds.
  • Outdoor Guide
  • Before your trip see also page What is New.

112 Emergency Number

If you have an emergency during your trip, such as getting lost, injured or finding a wildfire, call 112. Read more detailed emergency instructions.

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Download the 112 Finland application (112.fi) to your phone. When an emergency call is made through the 112 Finland application, the emergency centre attendant is automatically informed of the caller's location.

It is recommended to keep the mobile phone warm and to bring extra food and water with you. There are many excursion locations with no mobile coverage and some mobile phones does not work in sub-zero temperatures, that is why it is always a good idea to let someone know about your itinerary and timetable.

Check for Warnings

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. 

Gathering at the campfire sites increases the risk of coronavirus infection. Guidelines concerning coronavirus COVID-19

Outdoor Etiquette

A cartoon picture of a family walking on a summer path.

1. Respect nature.

2. Mainly use marked trails.

3. Camp only where it is allowed.

4. Light your campfire only where it is allowed.

5. Do not litter.

Read more

Game and Fisheries Wardens supervising nature destinations

Two people standing on top of a high hill, wearing snowmobile clothes. A wide, open view in the background.

Wilderness supervision (eräluvat.fi) offers services and education for the benefit of Finnish nature. A Game and Fisheries Warden is responsible for supervising the legality and authorisation of operations and the use of nature in state-owned areas.

If you witness or suspect a violation, you can report your observations to the warden (eräluvat.fi). Although we would like for you to leave your contact details when filing a report, you may also file a report anonymously.