Instructions and Rules in Nuuksio National Park

Nuuksio National Park was established to protect Uusimaa forest nature with its lakes, forests on top of rocks, herb-rich forests, mires, streams and cliff faces, as well as for hiking, educational purposes and research. 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 420 Kt, julkaisut.metsa.fi).

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
Forbidden Activities
Peak Seasons
Safety

Respect Nature

The outdoor activities in the Nuuksio 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 Nuuksio National Park, you may freely walk, ski, row and canoe, except in the restricted areas.

Camping

Camping is only allowed at serviced campfire sites and in the camping areas of Pöksyhaara, Valkealampi and Valkialampi.

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 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 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

Excluding protected water areas, ice fishing, hook and line fishing and lure fishing with a single rod are permitted in the national park.

Persons aged 18-69 years must pay the fisheries management fee (eraluvat.fi). Fishing permits are available from Metsähallitus' online shop (eraluvat.fi). Please note that fishing in Myllypuro brook and other fluvial waters is prohibited. 

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.

Biking

Under the Park Regulations, mountain biking is only permitted on the routes best suited for this purpose: Kattilantie road, Kelkkala service road, Kolmoislampi service road, Kurjolammentie road, Ruuhilammentie road, Salmi service road, Siikajärvenranta, Vanha Myllytie road. See map of biking trails in the National Park (PDF file, 0.1 Mb, julkaisut.metsa.fi, in Finnish).

Other Rules and Instructions

There are two places for rock climbing and abseiling in the park: Kolmoislammi and Romvuori. You can also try ice climbing anywhere in the park.

Groups of more than fifteen (15) people are asked to notify the National Park of their arrival in advance by sending an e-mail to info(at)haltia.com. To facilitate other visitors to the area, it is recommended that groups of this size use the reservable campsites.

Organising events for large groups (over 50 people) permission is always needed.

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 Nuuksio 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 Nuuksio National Park

  • Fishing in Myllypuro brook and other fluvial waters is prohibited.
  • 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.

Rules and Regulations for Nuuksio

The rules and regulations of Nuuksio National Park (Pdf 420 Kt, julkaisut.metsa.fi, in Finnish), ratified on 7 August 2009.

Peak Seasons

The most popular times in Nuuksio are spring and autumn weekends, and the summer. Most visitors go to Haukkalampi and its surroundings.

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.

  • The Nuuksio Lake Uplands terrain is characterised by great differences in altitude, which means the trails are reasonably demanding and take longer time to walk. Choice of shoes should depend on both weather and the terrain.
  • Water bottle and packed meals are needed, because there are no shops or cafes.
  • Dress for hiking in colorful clothes and according to the weather. Drinking water is good to have along.
  • 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 Nuuksio 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.

Check for Warnings

When wildfire 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. 

Drawing of a fireplace. The drawing shows the roof, the flue and off the ground.

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