Instructions and Rules in Puurijärvi and Isosuo National Park

Puurijärvi-Isosuo National Park was established in Southern Finland to protect highly representative mire habitats and a bird wetland as well as to promote environmental research and nature activities. 
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 230 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
Biking
Other Rules and Instructions
Forbidden Activities
Safety

Respect Nature

The outdoor activities in the Puurijärvi and Isosuo 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, and paddle in the National Park, with the exception of the following restricted areas:

  • Access to the restricted areas of Puurijärvi and Korkeasuo is prohibited between 1 February and 30 November.
  • Access to the restricted areas of Isosuo, Kiettareensuo, Aronsuo and Ronkansuo is prohibited between 1 April and 15 July

Biking

Mountain biking is allowed according to everyman's rights. Always stay on clearly visible tracks and pay attention to other hikers

Camping

Camping is only allowed at serviced campfire sites. 

Lighting Campfires

Lighting fires is permitted at the serviced campfire site of Ala-Kauvatsanjoki, which is marked on the map and in the terrain. You must only use the firewood brought to the site for lighting fires. Please remember to put out the fire when you leave. The person lighting a fire is always ultimately responsible for it.

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

Fishing is prohibited in Puurijärvi-Isosuo National Park.

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.

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 Puurijärvi and Isosuo 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 Puurijärvi and Isosuo National Park

  • Moving about on Lake Puurijärvi when it is not frozen.
  • 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.

Rules and Regulations for Puurijärvi and Isosuo National Park

The rules and regulations of the park (Pdf 230 Kt, julkaisut.metsa.fi, in finnish).

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.

 

  Check the warnings  

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. There are no campfire sites at the campsites in Puurijärvi-Isosuo where fires could be lit when a wildfire warning has been issued. Fires may not be lit at the campfire site of Ala-Kauvatsanjoki when wildfire warning is in operation.

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.

Rules and Regulations for Puurijärvi and Isosuo National Park

The rules and regulations of the park (Pdf 230 Kt, julkaisut.metsa.fi, in finnish).

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