Instructions and Rules along Hetta - Pallas Hiking Trail
Important Safety Checklist
- Wilderness conditions are very demanding. Be prepared to survive independently.
- Check the weather forecast and the conditions of your hiking destination. Different weather phenomena can produce unpredictable challenges. For example, tracks and trail markings can disappear from sight in a snowstorm or fog. Be prepared to change your route plan during the trip.
- Share your route plan with someone close to you before departure.
- Take a map and compass with you. Ensure your navigation skills. The risk of getting lost is high, always know your location and where you are going.
- In winter stay alert of avalanche risks in the fell areas and recognize the avalanche terrains.
- Not all trails are suitable for year-round use and not all cabins are along a marked trail. Find out about your destination’s trails and hut locations in advance.
- Find safe places to cross waters. Prefer bridges. Water levels vary, especially during flood season. In winter, be aware of weak ice cover and danger spots.
- Pack appropriate equipment. Take enough warm clothing, food, first aid kit, headlamp, and fire-making tools.
- Have always a camping cooker and emergency shelter with you. It’s important to have shelter if the weather turns bad or if you get injured.
- Phone coverage is often poor. In case of emergency, seek a coverage area and call emergency number 112.
Litter-Free Hetta-Pallas Hiking Trail
The Hetta-Pallas Hiking Trail is now officially litter-free and all waste bins has been removed from the trail. Take your own trash out of the terrain to eco-points at the Fell Lapland Visitor Centre or at Pallastunturi.
Instructions on Exploring Hetta - Pallas Trail
Movement in the restricted zones of Pahakuru–Hannukuru, Suaskuru and Hanhivuoma is prohibited all year round.
Movement in the Pyhäjoki restricted zone is permitted from 1st May to 30th November only along the marked route.
- When hiking on the trail you must follow the rules and regulations given for Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park.
- Visitors may freely walk and ski anywhere in the National Park except in the restricted zones at Lake Onnasjärvi, River Onnasjoki, Pahakuru–Hannukuru rea, Suaskuru gorge, Hanhivuoma and Pyhäjoki River.
- Movement in the restricted zone of Onnasjärvi–Onnasjoki is prohibited from 1st May to 30th November.
- Movement in the restricted zones of Pahakuru – Hannukuru, Suaskuru and Hanhivuoma is prohibited all year round.
- Movement in the Pyhäjoki restricted zone is permitted from 1 May to 30 November only along the marked route.
- Mountain biking is allowed on Hetta - Pallas Trail, but only on trails not elsewhere.
- Horseback riding is forbidden in the national park.
- As a rule, a permit issued by Metsähallitus is required for activities other than those included in everyman's rights, which may include research and organised events. Further information on required permits: research and access permits (metsa.fi) and permits and notifications related to events (metsa.fi).
Camping and Campfires
- Camping is only allowed in the vicinity of campfire sites and wilderness huts.
- Lighting campfires is only allowed at campfire sites. You may also light a fire in the fireplace at wilderness huts. Lighting campfires is strictly forbidden everywhere when there is a wildfire warning in effect.
- Making open fires is always prohibited at both marked campfire sites if a wildfire warning (ilmatieteenlaitos.fi) has been issued for the area.
Reindeer
- The National Park is a reindeer herding area. There are fences sectioning off lands used by reindeer herding co-ops. Getting into or out of the fenced areas is difficult except through gates or by bridges, which cross over the fence. The gates and bridges are situated on marked trails. You must always shut the gates after you have passed through them. If herders and their herd should come your way, move out of sight or stand very quietly out of the way. This is the best way to ensure that you don´t disturb the animals on their travel.
Preparations
Mobile Phone Coverage
- Although Finland has a broad network for mobile phones, there are some areas in the Hetta - Pallas Trail without signal. There may also be some smaller spots where there is interference. If this happens try to climb to a higher place or go into an open area. It may be worth removing the SIM card from your phone and then trying again to make emergency call. Different phones also differ in their coverage.
- We recommend that you keep your mobile phone warm at all times and take along food and drink. Certain phone models do not work when the temperature falls below zero. You should therefore let someone know your planned route. To keep your mobile phone charged, bring along a spare power source, a spare battery or an old phone with a working battery.
Safety
- Do not go hiking alone and do not leave your group.
- Make sure you have a compass, maps, supplies for building a fire, a first aid kit and enough food when setting off on a hike. You should always fill your water bottle when you are near clean water.
- Take changing weather conditions into account. Weather can change rapidly in the fell area. When the region is foggy it is easy to lose your sense of direction.
- Dress appropriately. Pack warm and wind resistant clothing with your gear. Remember to have a change of clothing. Water resistant hiking boots are the best option for footwear.
- Inform a friend your schedule and route. Also inform the same person or place of your return.
- Sign your name and write down the route you are taking in guest books at each wilderness hut.
- It is safest to hike along marked trails.
- Search and rescue services are available in the National Park. Finland's national emergency telephone number is 112.
- 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.
- Make sure you pack a first-aid kit.
- Hiking in Finland:
Seasons
- The best time to hike in the area is from the end of June to mid-October. Snows melt from the Pallas-Ounastunturi Fells for the most part in May, but the ravines between them are still snowy in June. At the beginning of June the trails along the fell slopes are wet and especially susceptible to erosion. Erosion is becoming a continually growing problem in the area. Hikes taking place at the beginning of June cause the most damage, as the terrain is wet. This is why we recommend that hikers come to the area at the earliest during the last week of June.
- Mosquitos arrive in the area at Mid-Summer in late June, but the fell trails are still enjoyable during the middle of summer, as the slopes are windy and this keeps insects at bay. Räkkä-season when there are many biting insects ends at the end of August. The vibrancy of autumn's colours changes each year. The best time to experience the
- Ruska colours is around September 10th.
- Mid winter from November to the end of January is not a recommended hiking time, because there is day light only few hours and the weather can quickly change dangerous due to icy winds and freezingly low temperatures.
Peak Seasons
- The trail is at its busiest in September, during Ruska when the leaves change colour. The trail is packed with hikers in September. If you have not in advance reserved a bed in a reservable wilderness hut for this time, you should take a tent with you. October brings with it quiet as nature prepares for the oncoming winter.
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.
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 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.
Outdoor Etiquette
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.