Instructions and Rules in Rokua National Park

Instructions on Exploring Rokua

In Rokua National Park it is

allowed

• Walking, skiing, row boating and canoeing, except in the possibly restricted areas
• Picking berries and mushrooms.
• Biking on marked trails

restricted

• Campfire and camping are only allowed at sites marked for this purpose.
• Fishing in Saarinen, Vaulujärvi, Ahveroinen, Jaakonjärvi. You have to buy a buy licence from Rokua Health & Spa ja Kyläkauppa Satumaa, Kylmälä. 
• 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

• Lighting campfires if the forest fire warning or the grass fire warning is in effect.
  • Making open fires is always prohibited at both marked campfire sites and when fires are permitted by the land owner if a forest fire warning has been issued for the area (ilmatieteenlaitos.fi).
• Pets running at large
• Fishing in Pitkäjärvi, Hätäjärvi, Saarijärvi. 
• 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 vertebrates or damaging their nests
• Catching or collecting invertebrates
• Driving motor vehicles, except on roads designated for motor vehicles
• Leaving waste in the area, or damaging constructions.

Preparations

• The most popular time to visit the National Park is during the schools' skiing holidays in February-March.
• In the summertime there are usually less mosquitoes in the dry forests of Rokua than in most other places in Finland, but especially in the forests around the lakes it is sensible to use insect repellent.
• The dry landscape of Rokua catches fire extremely easily. Please note that lighting campfires is also forbidden at the designated campfire places if the forest fire warning is in effect!
• In Rokua, the ground becomes easily exposed under the feet of hikers. To prevent the erosion, it is recommended that hikers stay on the marked trails.
• Read more about How to hike without leaving a trace.

Mobile Phone Coverage

• Although Finland has a broad network for mobile phones, there are some areas in the park where cliffs or forest block signals. 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.

Safety

• 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