For a trip to the national park

Petkeljärvi National Park is a nature reserve intended as a public attraction, whose mission is to preserve the North Karelian ridge and lake nature. It is important that you familiarize yourself with the area in advance and prepare for the trip by carefully reading the area's instructions and rules. Hiking in Petkeljärvi National Park is guided by the rules. This means that we act and move in nature with respect. Please do not share content online that violates the rules of the national park.
Keeping pets free is prohibited. Pets are welcome in the national park, but only on a leash.

At the hiking destinations managed by the Finnish Forestry Board, routes, paths and bridges are maintained, as well as resting places and camping areas with toilets, parking areas and landing sites. The destinations also have guidance structures such as signs and markers. Metsähallitus Nature Services is responsible for providing free services to hikers in protected areas and historical sites. Contract entrepreneurs are responsible for paying services at nature huts and hiking centers, etc.

You can read hiking etiquette at the link    https://www.luontoon.fi/fi/lajit/retkeily-ja-ulkoilu/etiketti

You can read about everyone's rights in national parks at the link https://www.luontoon.fi/fi/lajit/retkeily-ja-ulkoilu/jokaisenoikeute

You can access the official website of Petkeljärvi National Park here https://www.luontoon.fi/fi/kohteet/petkeljarven-kansallispuisto

You can find the national park's pdf brochure here https://julkaisut.metsa.fi/julkaisu/petkeljarvi-kansallispuisto/

Events planned in Metsähallitus nature reserves or multi-use forests and large group camping must be reported to Metsähallitus.

Event reporting must be done when, for example, it concerns a cross-country competition, an outdoor event, large group camping or long-term camping in the same location. The above-mentioned and comparable events require the landowner's consent. Notification must be made well in advance, at least two months before the event, to allow sufficient time for processing the matter.

The event may not be marketed or published on online services before the event reporting has been processed. The event reporting is done using an electronic form. More information on the permit requirement for activities on Metsähallitus lands https://www.metsa.fi/luvat

Event notification form https://link.webropolsurveys.com/S/DA6276B0FBD43439

Notifying events in advance helps avoid overlaps and congestion in areas. The use of national parks is governed by rules of procedure. In other nature reserves, everyone's rights may also be restricted. The principle of litter-free hiking is followed in all areas. The event organizer is responsible for the cleanliness of the event venue and its surrounding area during the event and removes garbage and other waste from the event venue immediately after the event at their own expense.

No notice required

• for organizing a small-scale event or excursion with less than 20 participants, if it is free of charge for the participants
• day trips for educational institutions, unless the groups are particularly large
• for photography, if it does not cause harm or disturbance to fauna and flora and if a hidden booth is not used. https://www.metsa.fi/maat-ja-vedet/luvat/filmituotantoluvat/
• for short-term camping (1–2 days)in designated areas or other activities that are open to everyone.

Are you a peace-seeking hiker who comes to nature to find balance with the rest of life? Do you come to hike for the freedom that comes with every step of the journey? Or are you a long-distance hiker with your stages ready from lean-to to lean-to and want to challenge yourself?
Maybe you are the one who brings your children to explore the secrets of the forest and you want to stay a safe distance away so that if necessary it would be easy to return for a snack and perhaps a nap with the youngest hikers. What kind of hiker are you? Feel free to be yourself, find your inner hiker, wilderness survivor or be exactly who you already know you are.

However, remember to respect nature and other hikers. This way we preserve what we have now, also in the future.