Hut etiquette

By following the hut etiquette, you ensure that using huts is easy and nice for everyone.

1. Heating and cooking

Most huts have stoves and firewood. Please note that it will take some time for the hut to warm up.
Please heat the hut moderately and use firewood sparingly. Discuss heating with other overnight visitors, as the presence of people also increases the temperature.
Bring your own fire-making tools and a knife to make kindlings.
Deposit ashes into the outdoor collection site after they have cooled down.
Chop some firewood and make kindlings for the next user. Don’t leave any burnable litter in the hut, such as cardboard packaging.
You can use only small amounts of clean paper or cardboard as a kindling; don’t burn any other litter. They may create undegradable waste and release toxic fumes.
If there is a gas cooker in the hut, read the instructions and remember to turn off the gas after use.
Using your own portable stove is not allowed in huts. Please use your portable stove outdoors only. Pay attention and use it according to its instructions of use.
Take care of fire safety: do not dry anything on the stove and use non-combustible coasters for candles.
Huts are equipped with smoke detectors, but we recommend that you bring a 9V battery or your own portable fire alarm.

There is no running water in the huts, and the availability of water varies. Find out where to get water beforehand or bring water with you.
Water quality is indicated in the hut folder and at the water supply point, if it is monitored. If you are unsure about water quality, purify it using tablets or boil it for 5 minutes.
Do not wash your hands or dishes in buckets intended for drinking water or at water supply points. Use biodegradable detergents and absorb washing water into the ground far away from water bodies.
Don’t fill your water bottle directly on above the drinking water bucket.
Empty water containers and turn them upside down after use.

Be prepared for the possibility that there is not enough room to sleep in the open wilderness hut. Bring along your own tent. You should set up your tent in the immediate vicinity of huts or campsites. To secure a bed, use reservable huts or rental huts.
In open wilderness huts, those who have arrived earlier must make room for newcomers. As a rule, high traffic situations at a hut can be solved by talking things out and space can be made for those who come last. This way, everyone can dry their clothes and rest.
Leave your rucksack and any extra items on the terrace to free up space.
You may not reserve open wilderness huts for yourself or your own group, for example by spreading your things everywhere or locking the doors.
In open wilderness huts and reservable huts, silent hours are from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Don’t disturb others – they might be tired after their day trip and want to relax or sleep.
Open wilderness huts are intended for one-night accommodation for individual independent hikers. Larger groups and those staying multiple nights should use tents, reservable huts or rental huts.
Open wilderness huts may not be used as overnight accommodation when conducting business.

Follow the waste and recycling instructions at the hut. Remember to bring your own garbage bag. You can deposit degradable waste in a compost or a composting toilet. Take any other waste to the nearest recycling point.
Don’t leave any extra items or food in the hut. For example, dry food might attract harmful animals to the hut.
Clean up the hut and its surroundings when leaving. Empty the water container and turn it upside down. Close all windows and doors carefully.
Smoking is prohibited inside the hut! Collect any cigarette ends in a box outdoors and deposit them into the waste container later.

Check the hut’s introductory page to find out whether you can bring pets into the hut. Bringing pets is allowed at some huts, but only if other hut users agree to it.
Guide dogs and service dogs have a legal right to go everywhere, including huts.
Animals should always be kept on a leash indoors and outside in the yard area.

Most huts have a folder containing useful practical information and instructions related to the hut in question.
Write your name, the time of your visit and your next destination in the guest book available in the hut. It is important that your record your progress in case you get lost or there is an accident.
You can also write observations about the condition and equipment of the hut in the guest book. You may also report any shortcomings using the feedback form in the Luontoon.fi service.