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Outdoor destinations
Järven takana näkyy koivikko, jonka taustalla siintää korkea tunturi.

Nature reserves – Research and limited hiking

Nature reserves are protected areas where the aim is to keep nature as pristine as possible. While access to most nature reserves is prohibited without written permission, some have marked hiking trails for visitors’ use.

Nature reserves are protected areas where the aim is to keep nature as pristine as possible. They differ from national parks in that nature reserves are primarily used for research and conservation purposes. While access to most nature reserves is prohibited without written permission, some have marked hiking trails for visitors’ use. However, visitors must stay on the marked trails.

Everyone's rights do not apply in strict nature reserves. For example, this means that picking mushrooms and berries is not allowed.

There are 19 nature reserves in Finland, and Metsähallitus is responsible for their management.

Nature reserves with marked hiking trails (9 reserves)

See below for a list of nature reserves with hiking trails. Always check the rules and instructions specific to each nature reserve before your excursion, as the list only mentions some of them. For example, there are restrictions on camping, cycling and other forms of getting around.

Karkali Nature Reserve

  • Karkali Nature Reserve is located in Lohja in Southern Finland.
  • There is a trail of around six kilometres in Karkali. Visitors must stay on the marked trail at all times.

Kevo Nature Reserve

  • Kevo Nature Reserve is located in Utsjoki.
  • Guivi trail (83 km) may be used during the snow-free season from 1 May to 15 October. Visitors must stay on the marked trail at all times.
  • Kevon kanjonireitti trail (58 km) is open in the snow-free season between 15 June and 15 October. Visitors must stay on the marked trail at all times.
  • Skiing is permitted in Kevo ravine area between 16 October and 31 March and in the fell area between 16 October and 30 April.
  • Read more about Kevo Nature Reserve.

Koivusuo Nature Reserve

Malla Nature Reserve

  • Malla Nature Reserve is located in Käsivarsi area of Lapland, near Lake Kilpisjärvi.
  • The marked 11-kilometre summer trail leading through Malla Nature Reserve is part of the 800-kilometre Kalottireitti trail. In summer, visitors must stay on the marked trail.
  • Read more about Malla Nature Reserve.

Olvassuo Nature Reserve

Paljakka Nature Reserve

Salamanperä Nature Reserve

Sompio Nature Reserve

  • Sompio Nature Reserve is located in Sodankylä.
  • Visitors to the Nature Reserve can follow the five-kilometre Pyhä-Nattanen trail. Ruijanpolku trail passes through the Nature Reserve. In the Nature Reserve, visitors must stay on the marked trails at all times.
  • Read more about Sompio Nature Reserve.

Vaskijärvi Nature Reserve

  • Vaskijärvi Nature Reserve is located in Pöytyä in Southwest Finland.
  • Vaskijärvi trail (19 km) passes through Vaskijärvi Nature Reserve. In the Nature Reserve, visitors must stay on the marked trail at all times.
  • Additionally, a section less than 2 km in length of the medieval St. Henry’s pilgrim path goes through the Nature Reserve in Munkkionsuo. Visitors must stay on the trail. This trail section may not be used between 1 February and 31 May.
  • Read more about Vaskio Nature Reserve.