Instructions and Rules in Leivonmäki National Park

Instructions on Exploring Leivonmäki

In the National Park, the following are

allowed:

• Walking, skiing, row boating and canoeing, except in the restricted area
• Mountain biking according to everyman's rights except in the restricted areas. Always stay on clearly visible tracks and pay attention to other hikers.
• Picking berries and edible mushrooms
• Fishing:
  • Hook and line fishing and ice fishing are allowed under everyman's rights, except where specific restrictions apply.
  • Lure fishing with a single rod is permitted, except in the restricted areas. Persons aged 18-64 years must pay the fisheries management fee (eräluvat.fi). Fishing permits are available from Metsähallitus' online shop (eraluvat.fi).
  • The water areas of Rutajärvi Lake are not part of the national park. More information about fishing on Lake Rutajärvi is available from Leivonmäki fishing collective (kalapaikka.net, in Finnish).
  • Fishers need to check the restrictions on fishing sites at kalastusrajoitus.fi (In Finnish).

restricted:

• Campfire is only allowed at sites marked for this purpose. Please note that when the forest fire warning or the grass fire warning is in effect, fire lighting is allowed only in the campfire site of Harjujärvi cooking shelter, that has a flue. Check the current warnings (en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi).
• Camping out temporarily is allowed in the camping areas and in the lean-to shelters and in the vicinity of campfire sites and shelters.
• Riding is allowed only on the roads.
• 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).

forbidden:

• Moving about in Haapasuo Mire restricted area 15.4. - 15.7., to protect nesting birds
• Lighting campfires if the forest fire warning or the grass fire warning is in effect. Check the current warnings (en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi). This prohibition does not apply to the campfire site of Harjujärvi cooking shelter, that has a flue.
• Pets running at large
• Taking or damaging trees, bushes, other plants or their parts, or mushrooms other than edible ones
• Damaging soil or rock, and extraction of earth material or minerals
• Killing, catching or disturbing wild animals, or damaging their nests
• Driving motor vehicles, except on roads designated for motor vehicles
• Leaving waste in the area, or damaging constructions

Preparations

Mobile Phone Coverage

• Although Finland has a broad network for mobile phones, there are some areas in the park 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.
  • Background information on how to act in case of an emergency.

Equipment and Safety

• Drinking water and food need to be carried, as there are no cafés or shops with regular opening hours in the area. There are no places to get drinking water in the forest either. The nearest shops are in the village of Rutalahti (about 9 km) and in the centre of the municipality of Leivonmäki (about 12 km).
• Please note that there is no paper in the toilets.
• The terrain is not difficult in the National Park, so the trails are suitable for family day trips. The trails mostly go into dry pine forests, and the mire sections have duckboards.
• 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
  • What to Take  
  • Safety