Customer Service and Guidance

Services offered by enterprises and other organisations in Valtavaara Nature Reserve

Enterprises and other organisations offering services in the nature reserve. They have a cooperation agreement with Metsähallitus and they follow the principles of sustainable nature tourism when operating in the nature reserve.

 Metallic signs on the top of the danger in the foreground. Two people are walking in the background.

Meals, Where to Buy and Prepare

Shops and Restaurants

  • There are two shops and a bar on main road 5 at the intersection of the road which leads to Ruka. They are about 4 km from Valtavaara Nature Reserve.
  • There are many restaurants and other eateries at Ruka Holiday Resort.

Lean-to Shelters and Campfire Sites

  • Suolampi lean-to shelter
  • Valtavaaranlampi lean-to shelter
  • Valtavaara campfire shelter

Lighting campfires is forbidden during the forest fire warnings.

  • This prohibition does not apply to cooking shelters or other fireplaces with a flue.

Valtavaara kota hut. The door is open.

Drinking Water

  • The areas ground waters - in lakes and rivers - should be boiled before drinking, as the water's quality changes from place to place.
  • We recommend that visitors fill water bottles at customer service points. Drinking water from rivers and lakes is at your own risk.

Waste Management

  • There are no waste-bins in the nature reserve. Measures should be taken in advance to avoid taking unnecessary waste into the area. Biodegradable waste should be placed in a toilet or composter, and small amounts of clean paper and cardboard can be used as kindling in a campfire. Read more about Hiking without littering.

Toilets

  • There are dry toilets at Suolampi and Valtavaara lean-to shelters and at Valtavaara campfire shelter.

Overnight Stays

Camping and Lean-to Shelters

  • Suolampi and Valtavaaranlampi lean-to shelters and Valtavaara campfire shelter are situated in the nature reserve.
  • Camping is allowed for short periods in the vicinity of lean-to shelters, campfire sites and campfire shelters.

Day-use Hut

Lodging in the Surrounding Area

  • There are versatile lodging enterprises and tourist services at Ruka Holiday Resort (ruka.fi) and in the area surrounding Ruka. There are for example quite a few hotels and rental cabins.
  • Viipus Camping Ground is by main road 5, about 5 km from Valtavaara Nature Reserve. For more information contact Kuusamo Info (kuusamo.fi).
  • There are rentable parking spaces for caravans at the central square in Ruka.
  • There is a farm which offers lodging 30 km from Valtavaara right by road E5 to Kemijärvi. Visitors can enjoy farm life and barnyard animals.

Equipment Rental

Accessible Services

There are no accessible services in the nature reserve.

Other Services in the Surrounding Area