Instructions and Rules in Pyhä-Luosto National Park

Different rules apply to different zones of Pyhä-Luosto National Park concerning hiking in nature, camping and lighting campfires: the rules are different in the hiking and nature tourism zone, remote zone and Peurakero and Isokuru restricted zones. The zones are shown in Park Regulations of the Pyhä-Luosto National Park (pdf, julkaisut.metsa.fi, in Finnish)

There are restrictions for moving in the areas of Peurakero and Isokuru restricted zones. Please get acquainted with the restricted zones of the National Park on the page Maps and on site Excursionmap.fi.

• Respect Nature
• Pets
• Getting Around
• Camping
• Lighting Campfires
• Litter-free Hiking
• Fishing
• Berry and Mushroom Picking
• Biking
• Horse Riding
• Other Rules
• Drone Flying
• Forbidden Activities
• Safety

Respect Nature

The outdoor activities in the Pyhä-Luosto National Park are guided with the rules and regulations. When getting around in nature, let’s show respect for it. Take a look at the Outdoor Etiquette.

Please don’t share any such contents on the Internet that break the rules of the national park.

Letting pets run loose is forbidden. The dogs that are used for hunting and reindeer husbandry do not need be kept on a leash during those activities.

Getting Around

In the Pyhä-Luosto National Park, you may freely walk, snowshoe, ski, row and canoe, except in the restricted areas of Pyhäkuru and Peurakero:

• It is not recommended to go into Isokuru gorge during the winter time. There is no winter trail in Isokuru due to avalanche danger.
• It is allowed to go in Isokuru gorge restricted area only on the marked summer trail. Closer map (excursionmap.fi) of Isokuru restricted area (the area is marked on red).
• In Peurakero restricted zone hiking is allowed 1.6-14.2. Closer map (excursionmap.fi) of Peurakero restricted zone (the area is marked on red).

Camping

Temporary camping is allowed outside the restricted zones. Camping is recommended in the immediate vicinity of the rest spots and campfire sites that have been marked on the map and in the terrain, very close to the huts. The wilderness huts, reservable huts, rental huts, day huts and campfire sites have been listed on Services-page. All huts, lean-to shelters and campfire sites in Pyhä-Luosto are available on the Excursionmap.fi website.

Lighting Campfires

Lighting an open fire in the Pyhä-Luosto National Park is allowed at the maintained campfire sites that have been marked on the map and in the terrain. You are only allowed to use the firewood that has been reserved for the purpose. The person who lights the campfire is always responsible for the fire.
The use of a portable camping stove is allowed in areas where hiking is allowed.

During the Forest and Grass Fire Warning:

• Lighting an open fire is forbidden everywhere, including at the marked campfire sites, when a forest fire warning (ilmatieteenlaitos.fi) is in effect.
  • The prohibition does not apply to the cookng shelters or other fireplaces with a chimney, which are: Ahvenlampi and Huttujärvi cooking shelters, Huttuloma, Isokuru, Rykimäkero and Ukko-Laavu campfire huts, and Isokuru and Karhunjuomalampi campfire huts. Please note that at Karhunjuomalampi lean-to shelter lighting a fire is prohibited.
  • The prohibition neither applies to the stoves of open wildernes huts and rental huts, which are: Yli-Luosto and Huttuloma open wilderness hut, and Huttujärvi, Kuukkeli and Yrjölä rental hut.
• During the forest and grass fire warning, the use of twig stoves is not allowed, as sparks may be created.

Litter-free Hiking

The National Park is an area of litter-free hiking. Please take away everything you brought along.

There are eco take-back points at Pyhätunturi and Luosto villages. You can get more information on recycling and waste management at Pyhä-Luosto Visitor Centre Naava or the Hiking Without Littering page.

• The eco take-back points have containers for metal, glass and carton packaging.
• A small amount of biodegradable waste can be put in the dry toilet. Please note, that the national park has also toilets that are emptied with vacuum trucks. Please do not place any waste in these toilets, that are situated in: Isokuru and Rykimäkero campfire hut, Karhunjuomalampi day hut, Huttuloma open wilderness hut, Huttujärvi rental hut, and Lampivaara lean-to shelter.

Small amounts of clean paper and cardboard may be used as kindling at a campfire site or a fireplace at a wilderness hut. Other waste, such as packages that contain aluminium foil or plastic, may not be burned in a fireplace, as they may form non-biodegradable waste and toxic gases.

Fishing

Angling is permitted, except in the restricted waters. Persons aged 18-64 years must pay the national fisheries management fee (eraluvat.fi) and depending on the area also for the angling permit of Metsähallitus (eraluvat.fi). Ice fishing is allowed.

Fishers should always check the restrictions on fishing sites at website Kalastusrajoitus.fi (kalastusrajoitus.fi, in Finnish).

Berry and Mushroom Picking

Picking berries and other fungi than those growing on trees is allowed, unless prevented by restricted access to the area.

Biking

During the snow-free season biking is allowed on almost all officially marked summer trails except for: Isokuru, Noitatunturi and Isonkurunkangas trails are not allowed for biking. It is prohibited to bike outside the official trails.

Winter time mountain biking is allowed everywhere else but not on marked ski tracks and in Isokuru and Peurakero restricted areas.

Check the recommended biking trails in Pyhä-Luosto National Park.

Other Rules and Instructions

• Research activities, organised events and the shooting of films or advertisements in the terrain always require a permit from Metsähallitus. Additional information: permits for research and getting around in nature (metsa.fi), a well as the permits and notifications regarding events (metsa.fi).
• The use of the trails and structures of the Pyhä-Luosto National Park for business activities is always subject to a fee, and for frequent business use, a contract with Metsähallitus (metsa.fi) is required. The right of use fees for specific days are paid at the Eräluvat webshop (eraluvat.fi).
• Hunting permits are not sold to the Pyhä-Luosto National Park, but locals have the right to hunt in the national park except in the hunting prohibition zones.
• It's forbidden to fly drones in the Isokuru gorge restricted area all year round. A closer map (excursionmap.fi) of Isokuru restricted area (the area is marked on red). It is forbidden to move and to fly drones in Peurakero restricted area between 15.2.-31.5. A closer map (excursionmap.fi) of Peurakero restricted area (the area is marked on red). In the Pyhä-Luosto National Park, drone flying that disturbs other people or animals is prohibited. You must be especially cautious during the nesting period of birds.

Forbidden Activities in the Pyhä-Luosto National Park

• Moving in Isokuru gorge restricted area outside the marked trails. Closer map (excursionmap.fi) of Isokuru restricted area (the area is marked on red).
• Moving in Peurakero restricted area between 15.2.-31.5. Closer map (excursionmap.fi) of Peurakero restricted zone (the area is marked on red).
• Driving a mountain bike on the trails in Isokuru gorge, Noitatunturi and around Isonkurunkangas. It is also prohibited to drive a mountain bike outside of the marked trails.
• Swimming and allowing dogs in ponds: Pyhänkasteenlampi, other Isokuru ponds, and Karhunjuomalampi.
• Damaging soil or rock, and extracting earth material or minerals.
• Catching, killing or disturbing wild vertebrates, and destroying their nests.
• Catching or collecting invertebrates.
• Driving a motor vehicle beyond designated roads.
• Leaving waste in the area and damaging the structures.
• Taking or damaging trees, shrubs or other plants, or their parts.
• Extracting earth materials, damaging the soil and bedrock, and the drainage of forests, mires or other areas.
• Constructing buildings, structures or roads.
• Covering, changing, damaging, removing, violating or excavating in archaeological sites.
• Activities that disturb other people
• Other measures that may be disadvantageous to the natural conditions of the national park, landscape or the preservation of the animal or plant species.

Park Regulations of Pyhä-Luosto National Park

Park Regulations of Pyhä-Luosto National Park(in Finnish, pdf, 1,1 Mt, julkaisut.metsa.fi), confirmed 29.6.2017.

Seasonal Tips

In the summer and fall of 2022 there is construction and repair work affecting many hiking trails in the National Park. In Pyhä the stairs from Isokuru kota hut down to Isokuru Gorge are under construction for an estimated 2 months, starting in june 2022. The stairs are out of use but there is an easy marked detour. In Luosto there is construction work in the northern part of Ukko-Luosto Fell from July to October 2022. Some other repairs to the trails will also be done during the summer of 2022.  More information: Visitor Centre Naava, tel. +358 20 639 7302, e-mail pyhaluosto@metsa.fi and Pyhä-Luosto National Park facebook page.

Tourist Season

The majority of Pyhä-Luosto National Park's 230,000 annual visitors come during summer. The main tourist season starts in the beginning of July and lasts to the end of September. The Tunturiaapa Nature Trail, Karhunjuomalampi Trail and Summit of Ukko-Luosto Fell are the most popular trails among visitors.

Seasons

• In Pyhä-Luosto leaves change colour from mid-September to late September, when the first freezing weather causes them to fall from the trees. Permanent snow generally falls around mid-October.
• Trekking in the wintertime is demanding. Harsh weather and poor light in the early winter cause difficult conditions. The temperature may drop to -40°C and during the darkest part of winter there is sunlight for only a couple of hours.
• Early spring is a popular time for trekking, but even then proper gear is needed.If you have normal cross-country skis, you should stay on maintained trails.
• When following snowmobile tracks on ski be cautious, as there may be people such as reindeer herders riding snowmobiles along them.
• During spring time, from late April to early June, some of the trails may be impossible to access due to weather conditions.

Safety

It is important to get acquainted with your hiking destination in advance to prepare for your journey thoroughly. Planning your route well, staying on the trail and understanding the local weather conditions will help you on your way. It is also good to know if the forest fire warning is in effect. It is always a good idea to get a Pyhä-Luosto 1:50 000 outdoor map on a hike with you.

• Dress for hiking in colorful clothes and according to the weather. Find out about the weather and conditions in advance.
• Make sure you pack a first-aid kit. 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. 
• Hiking in Finland: What to Take. 
• Sign your name in the each camp site's guest book. This way it will be easier for rescuers to follow your route incase of emergency. You can also give suggestions for improvements this way.
• In the fell chain there can be large differences in altitude. Duckboards and stony trails are slippery after rain.