Petkeljärvi National Park Instructions and Rules

Petkeljärvi National Park is a nature conservation area intended as a public attraction, whose task is to preserve the North Karelian ridge and lake nature. It is important to familiarise yourself with the area in advance and prepare carefully for your hike by reviewing the area's instructions and rules.

Visitor's checklist, in brief
• The National Park is a nature conservation area. Everyman's rights are not fully valid in national parks.
• Always keep pets on a leash. Dog waste should be cleaned away from the trails.
• Make fires only in permitted places.Always check the valid forest fire warning before making a fire. During a forest fire warning, fires may only be made in the hiking center's hut.
• Camp only in permitted camping spots. Camping is only permitted in the hiking center's paid camping area.
• Remember to bring a trash bag. Bring a trash bag and take your trash to a recycling point when you leave.
Hiking center waste point, Petkeljärventie 61, 82900 Ilomantsi. Combustible energy waste.
Eco-point Möhkö, Leminahontie 3, 82980 Ilomantsi. Glass and small metal.
Eco-point Kuuksenvaara, Möhköntie 75, 82900 Ilomantsi. Glass and small metal.
Rinki Eco-point, Kauppatie 9, 82900 Ilomantsi. Cardboard, paper, plastic, glass, small metal, and reusable textiles.
• Be prepared for mobile network blind spots. Remember a paper map and compass.

Respect nature

Hiking in Petkeljärvi National Park is guided by its rules and regulations. Therefore, act and move in nature with respect. Familiarise yourself with the Hiking Etiquette.

Please do not share content online that violates the national park's rules.

Keeping pets unleashed is prohibited. Pets are welcome in the national park, but only on a leash.

Movement

In the national park, you can move freely on foot, by skiing, rowing, and canoeing, except for possible restricted areas.

Motorboat use is permitted only in Petkeljärvi and Valkiajärvi.

Camping

Camping is only permitted in the campsite.

Making a fire

Petraniemi has a covered grilling shelter and a reservable campfire hut. Making fires elsewhere is prohibited.

The campsite has a camp kitchen for campers.

During a forest fire warning, the only permitted fire-making spot is the campfire hut, which is opened for everyone's use during the warning period.

Check current (ilmatieteenlaitos.fi).

Litter-free hiking

The park's waste container for combustible energy waste is located in the Petkeljärvi campsite. Small amounts of clean paper and cardboard can be used as kindling. Other waste, such as packaging containing aluminum foil or plastic, must not be burned in a campfire, as it can generate non-biodegradable waste and toxic gases.

Read more about litter-free hiking.
https://www.luontoon.fi/fi/artikkelit/roskaton-retkeily

Fishing

Angling and ice fishing are permitted under everyman's rights.

For lure fishing, those aged 18-69 must pay a fisheries management fee (eraluvat.fi).
If you fish with more than one rod, you also need Metsähallitus' Southern Finland rod permit no. 7413 (eraluvat.fi). Permits can be purchased from the wilderness permits online store (eraluvat.fi). For trap fishing, in addition to the fisheries management fee, Metsähallitus' Ilomantsi trap permit no. 7004 (eraluvat.fi) is required. Permits can be purchased from service number 020 69 2424. However, all kinds of fishing are prohibited in Kuikkalampi, Pieni Kuikkalampi, Savulampi, and Mustalampi.

Fishermen must check fishing restrictions at kalastusrajoitus.fi!

Berry picking, mushroom foraging, and plant gathering

Picking berries and edible mushrooms is permitted.
Taking and damaging plants other than edible mushrooms, as well as trees, bushes, or other plants and their parts, is prohibited. Gathering wild herbs is therefore prohibited.

Cycling

Mountain biking is permitted under everyman's rights. Please stay on clearly distinguishable trails and consider other trail users.

Other Rules and Instructions

Activities other than those covered by everyman's rights generally require a permit from Metsähallitus. This may include, for example, research activities, organised events, and filming movies or advertisements in the terrain. More information on required permits: research and movement permits (metsa.fi) and event permits and notifications (metsa.fi).

The use of routes and structures in Petkeljärvi National Park for business operations is always subject to a fee, and repeated business use requires an agreement with Metsähallitus (metsa.fi). Daily user fees are paid in the Eraluvat online store (eraluvat.fi).

Drone flying

The entire Petkeljärvi National Park belongs to the ADIZ border zone, and therefore all unmanned aircraft require a flight plan to operate in the ADIZ area, meaning even hobbyists must submit a flight plan for drone flying to AIS Finland. Flight plan preparation instructions and submission forms can be found on Fintraffic ANS's air traffic services website (fintraffic.fi). More information about drone flying can be obtained from Fintraffic ANS's website (ais.fi). More information can also be obtained by calling Petkeljärvi Hiking Center (petkeljarvi.fi) or Koli Nature Centre customer service.

Drone flying that disturbs other people or animals is prohibited in Petkeljärvi National Park. Special caution must be exercised during bird nesting season.

Other prohibited activities in Petkeljärvi National Park

• Damaging the soil or bedrock and taking soil materials or mining minerals.
• Catching, killing, or disturbing wild vertebrate animals or destroying their nests.
• Catching or collecting invertebrate animals.
• Hunting.
• Driving motor vehicles, except on designated roads.
• Landing aircraft on the national park's water area without a permit from Metsähallitus.
• Littering or damaging structures.
• Excavating, covering, altering, damaging, removing, or otherwise interfering with fixed ancient monuments.
• Activities disturbing other people.

Petkeljärvi Rules and Regulations

Petkeljärvi National Park Rules and Regulations (pdf 76 kt, julkaisut.metsa.fi), approved 3.2.1978.

Seasonal periods

Petkeljärvi is a popular stopover destination, especially between Midsummer and the first week of August. Many camp schools are held in the national park in May.

Safety

Familiarise yourself with the destination in advance. Staying on the trail and following weather forecasts and warnings (ilmatieteenlaitos.fi) helps ensure a successful trip.

• It is advisable to take a first aid kit. If you encounter an emergency during your trip, for example, get lost, injured, or spot a forest fire, call 112 and make an emergency notification. Background information on emergency procedures.
• Although Finnish mobile networks are comprehensive, there may be dead zones in Petkeljärvi National Park. Read more about mobile phone coverage.
• Dress colourfully and according to the weather for your hike. Sturdy shoes are necessary in the ridge terrain of Petkeljärvi.
• Always remember to bring drinking water and toilet paper.
• Information on paddling safety and equipment: Paddling Safety (melontajasoutuliitto.fi) and Paddling Guide (melonta.wasalab.com)
• Hiking ABC ( luontoon.fi/retkeilynabc )

•  Safety
• Hiking Etiquette
• Hiker's links

• See also your destination's news page.