Many Kinds of Huts for the Hikers
There are huts which hikers can use for free, and others for which a fee is charged.
Free and Open Huts
The most common and well-known type of free, open huts are the open wilderness huts. The wilderness huts are meant for one-night stays. They are usually located in the northern and eastern parts of Finland, usually in roadless backwoods. Other open huts include day trip huts, which are not meant for staying overnight. Also open turf huts and campfire huts are suitable places to stop and rest during the day, but in exceptional circumstances they can provide shelter for the night, too.
Nature tourism enterprises may use wilderness huts and other service structures such as campfire sites as resting places when arranging group tours or hikes, but this requires permission from Metsähallitus. Please note however that staying overnight in open wilderness huts is forbidden if on a paid tour or hike. In these cases groups should stay overnight in reservable or rentable wilderness huts or hotels or lodges. We also recommend that all larger groups even those not on paid for tours or hikes use tents or reservable wilderness huts as accommodation.
Note, that a fee is always charged for using the routes and service infrastructure for business activities. Usage fees are paid in the Eräluvat webshop (verkkokauppa.eraluvat.fi).
Reservable Wilderness Huts
Reservable huts are locked, and a fee is charged for staying. By using reservable huts, the hiker can be sure to have somewhere to stay overnight. A fee is charged for reservable huts, reservable turf huts and rental huts.
Read more about Types of Huts.
Because of the coronavirus, safe distances should be kept even in nature, and thorough hand hygiene should be followed at huts, campfire sites and after using the toilet. Check our website for the current situation: nationalparks.fi/coronavirusguidelines
Rules for Using Wilderness Huts
Important Safety Checklist
Safety Tip
There are fire alarms at wilderness huts, but we recommend to bring a 9 V battery and/or your own travel fire alarm with you.
Information for Companies and Big Groups
Do you plan to organize guided excursions to the Finnish National Parks or other protected areas? It is possible due to partnership agreement with Metsähallitus, Parks & Wildlife Finland.
- Principles of Sustainable Tourism (metsa.fi)
- Sustainable Tourism in Protected areas in Finland (storymaps.arcgis.com)
- Please, contact kirjaamo(at)metsa.fi
Overnighting
Many kinds of Huts for the Hiker. Please note, that it is not allowed for big groups or commercial groups to overnight in Open Wilderness Huts and in Day-use Huts.