Instructions and Rules in Sipoonkorpi National Park

Sipoonkorpi National Park is one of the most important unbuilt forest areas close to the Helsinki metropolitan area. It is part of the Natura 2000 programme (ymparisto.fi, in Finnish) and has major regional significance for the conservation of forest 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 adn rules of the park.

Respect Nature
Pets
Getting Around in National Park
Camping
Lighting Campfires
Litter-free Hiking
Fishing
Picking Berries, Mushrooms and Wild Herbs
Biking
Horse Riding
Other Rules and Instructions
Forbidden Activities
Safety

Respect Nature

The outdoor activities in the Sipoonkorpi 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 are free to walk, ski, row, paddle, ride and bike in the National Park. You are also allowed to access the more remote areas under Everyman's rights.

Camping

Camping is only permitted at designated sites near the campfire sites of Bakunkärr, Bisajärvi, Fiskträsk, Kalkipolttaja and Ängesböle.

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.

Please note that lighting campfires is also forbidden at campfire sites 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. 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

Angling and ice fishing are permitted, except in the Rivers Byabäcken, Ritobäcken and Hälsängsbäcken as well as Lake Storträsk.

Lure fishing with a single rod is permitted, except in rivers Byabäcken, Ritobäcken and Hälsängsbäcken as well as Storträsk Lake. Persons aged 18-69 years must pay the fisheries management fee (eraluvat.fi). Fishing permits are available from Metsähallitus' online shop (eraluvat.fi).

Storträsk pond is regularly stocked with rainbow trout, and to fish there, you need to buy a fishing permit from the local fishing association. Permits are sold at Cafe Kuusijärvi (cafekuusijarvi.fi) (Kuusijärventie 3, Vantaa). More information: Storträskin kalastuksenhoitoyhdistys (stortrask.com, in finnish).

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 forbidden.

Biking

Biking is permitted on clearly visible paths and roads. Please take other visitors into consideration and follow good mountain biking etiquette. If you meet a horse, give a warning signal and stop if necessary.

Horse Riding

When horse riding, please stay on clearly visible paths or roads and take other visitors to the area into consideration.

Horse riders are asked to use other routes rather than marked hiking trails.

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 Sipoonkorpi 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 Sipoonkorpi National Park

  • Walking over and flattening farm crops.
  • Feeding or disturbing grazing animals.
  • 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 structures.
  • Covering, changing, damaging, removing, violating or excavating in archaeological sites.
  • Activities that disturb other people.

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.

 

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.

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