Summer season has started at the Suomu Nature Information Hut
The Nälmänjoki rope-pulley ferry has been taken into use
Tips for hiking in the spring season
Passage and movement restrictions
Shooting training 2023
The summer season has started at Suomu Nature Information Hut
(Updated 15th of May 2023)
Suomu Nature Information Hut is open from the beginning of May to the end of September. See opening hours.
The Nälmänjoki rope-pulley ferry has been taken into use
(Updated 15th of May 2023)
The Nälmänjoki rope-pulley ferry on the trail section between Pirskanjoki and the Majaniemi camping area has been put into use.
The ferry is located in the southern part of the Patvin kierto Circle Trail (25 km), between Pirskanlampi and Majaniemi camping areas. Patvin kierto Circle Trail can be traveled as a circular route along the southern path when the ferry is in use.
When planning your hike, please take a closer look at the Patvinsuo National Park's maps and trails.
Tips for hiking in the spring season
(Updated 11th of April 2023)
- Familiarize yourself with The Outdoor Guide to Finland’s National Parks. You can find basic information, gear lists, safety tips, and destination suggestions for winter hikes. Read Outdoor Etiquette and also check the Instructions and rules in the Patvincuo National Park before heading out on your hike.
- Check the restricted areas for the shooting range and other movement limitations in Patvinsuo National Park.
- Check the weather and snow conditions (ilmatieteenlaitos.fi). Also, get to know our partner's equipment rental options.
- For spring hikers, the most important thing is to stay warm and have enough energy. Layered clothing in sufficiently loose garments is a good start. Warm food and drinks help hikers stay warm. Be prepared for the hike with enough drinking water and energy-rich snacks.
- Ensure the safety of your hike. Always check the warnings in advance (en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi). The National Park may have some areas where the phone connection can be bad. Download the 112 Finland application (112.fi) to your phone. When an emergency call is made through the 112 Finland application, the emergency center attendant is automatically informed of the caller's location.
- The snow has melted on most trais but some are still snowy of wet. High ankled hiking boots or rubber boots are best at this time of year for hiking.
- Check which parking areas are available in winter. Suomuntie is winter-maintained up to the Suomun nature center parking area and the Kurkilahden parking area. Note that there may be delays in plowing, and in the spring during the melting season, unpaved roads can be very challenging to drive and travel on. Winter and spring hikers should have good studded tires. You can also pack snow chains, a shovel, and a small bag of grit to your car, for icy or snow-covered roads.
Passage and movement restrictions in Patvinsuo
(Updated 11th of April 2023)
In the national park, you are allowed to move freely on foot, skiing, rowing, and kayaking except in restricted areas:
- Movement within the integrated monitoring area (YYS) around Hietajärvi marked on the map is prohibited from January 1 to July 10 and from August 1 to December 31.
- Movement outside the marked trails is prohibited on the restricted areas marked on the map (Patvinsuo on both sides of Teretinniemi and Surkansuo) from April 1 to July 10.
- Movement outside the marked trails is prohibited on the restricted areas marked on the map (Lahnasuo, Säästö-Maksimansaari, Iso-Maksimansaari, and Hulkkonen and its surrounding swamp areas) from February 15 to July 10.
- Also, please note the restricted access to the shooting range.
Shooting training at the Finnish Frontier Guard's restricted military area
(Updated 21th of April 2023)
The Patvinkierto trail leading from Lahnalampi parking area to Pirskanlampi camping area goes next to the Finnish Frontier Guard's restricted military area. This shooting range is marked in the terrain by red circles around tree trunks. Entering the restricted area during shooting practice is strictly forbidden, so stay at the marked trails.
During 2023 shooting practice will take place:
- 24.–28.04.2023
24.4.2023 at 12pm (noon) – 9pm
25.4.2023 at 8am – 8pm
26.4.2023 at 8am – 8pm
27.4.2023 at 8am – 8pm
28.4.2023 at 8am – 4pm
- 01.–03.05.2023
2.5.2023 at 9am – 12am (midnight)
3.5.2023 at 6am – 8pm
- 22.–24.05.2023
23.5.2023 at 9am – 12am (midnight)
24.5.2023 at 6am – 8pm
- 04.–08.09.2023
- 02.–06.10.2023
- 09.–13.10.2023
- 23.–27.10.2023
There are signs in the areas vicinity and along trails leading to the area with information about shooting practice times.
Waste management is being developed in Patvinsuo National Park
(Updated 1st of December 2022)
We are developing waste management in Patvinsuo National Park. In the future, the toilets in Surkansuo and Surkanpuro will be changed to suction-emptied ones, which will simplify both the waste management and the post-treatment of waste. The installation work is still a little under way at the sites, so for now the toilets in Surkansuo and Surkanpuro will still serve as dry toilets.
The toilet in the Kurkilahti parking area and the accessible toilet located near the Suomu Nature Information Hut are suction-emptied. Please note that you should not add litter or put organic waste in a toilet that is emptied by suction. Garbage among the toilet waste can cause problems in the further processing of the waste.
Suomu Nature Information Hut
(Updated 24th of September 2022)
The Suomu Nature Hut in Patvinsuo is open 1.9.-30.9. Wed-Sun at 10 am - 5 pm. More information about the services and opening hours of the Suomu Nature Hut: Read more.
When forest and grass fire 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. 
