When getting around in nature, let’s show respect for it.

Letting pets run free is forbidden. The dogs that are used for hunting and reindeer husbandry do not need be kept on a leash during those activities.

Please don’t share any such contents on the Internet that break the rules of the national park.

In the Salla National Park, you may freely walk, ski, row and canoe except in the border zone.

• The national park is delimited by the state border in the east. This means that part of the park is located in the border zone, and a border zone permit (raja.fi) is needed to access it.

Camping in recommended in the vicinity of rest- and campfire sites and day trip huts, where there are also firewood shelters and dry toilets available.

In the recreational zone lighting a fire is allowed only at the maintained campfire sites that have been marked on the map and in the terrain. You are only allowed to use the firewood that has been reserved for the purpose. The person who lights the campfire is always responsible for the fire.

• Outside the recreational zone, fires may for the time being be lit under Metsähallitus’ general permission. By decision of Metsähallitus, lighting campfires in the forest is generally permitted on state-owned land in Lapland, North Ostrobothnia, Kainuu and North Karelia. You can use fallen branches, twigs and small root stocks to build a fire. A serviced campfire site must be used if one can be found within a half-kilometre radius. In protected areas with a valid management plan or regulations, the contents of these plans and regulations must be observed when lighting fires.
• The use of a portable camping stove is allowed in areas where hiking is allowed, except inside the huts.

Always check if there is a wildfire warning in effect in the area before lighting a fire.

• During wildfire warning lighting campfires is forbidden.

• During wildfire warning, the use of hobo stoves is not allowed, as sparks may be created.

There are no waste bins in the Salla National Park. Hikers must look after their own waste and carry it out of the forest with them for sorting.

• In the Salla National Park, there are two types of toilets: dry toilets and suction toilets. You can put small amounts of leftovers and other biowaste in a dry toilet, but not into a suction toilet.
• Small amounts of clean paper and cardboard may be used as kindling at a campfire site or a fireplace at a wilderness hut.
• Other waste, such as packages that contain aluminium foil or plastic, may not be burned in a fireplace, as they may form non-biodegradable waste and toxic gases.

Angling and ice fishing is allowed in the national parks lakes and ponds. Lure fishing with one rod is allowed in some water areas with a fisheries management fee (eraluvat.fi) or with a separate permit from Metsähallitus. Before you go fishing, you need to check for any fishing restrictions at kalastusrajoitus.fi (kalastusrajoitus.fi).

Picking berries and edible mushrooms is allowed.

• Snowmobiling is permitted on snowmobile tracks, for which a permit issued by Metsähallitus is required. Metsähallitus' tracks are unofficial routes subject to a charge. In order to use these tracks, a snowmobile user can apply to Metsähallitus for an individual or shared family track permit. With this permit, they may use their snowmobile on all tracks found on Metsähallitus’ track map. Read more about tracks and track permits. To use a snowmobile anywhere else, you need an off-road permit issued by the landowner.
• Almost the entire area of Salla National Park belongs to the ADIZ border zone, which means that all drone operators must submit a drone flight plan to AIS Finland prior to flying. Flight plan preparation instructions and submission forms can be found on Fintraffic ANS's aviation information service(fintraffic.fi).
• The national park is delimited by the state border in the east. This means that part of the park is located in the border zone, and a border zone permit (raja.fi) is needed to access it.
• Research activities, organising events or, for example, filming of films or advertisements on location always require a permit from Metsähallitus. Further information on required permits: research and photography permits (metsa.fi) and permits and notifications related to events (metsa.fi).
• Using routes and structures of Salla National Park in business activities is always subject to a fee, and repeated business requires a co-operation agreement with Metsähallitus (metsa.fi).

• Operating motor vehicles, except on roads designated for them.
• Capturing, killing, and disturbing animals, and taking or damaging their nests or burrows.
• Allowing pets to run freely.
• Making stone piles.
• Littering and damaging the structures.
• Accessing the border zone without border zone permit.

Safety

To fully enjoy your experience in nature, you should plan your excursion carefully and find out about the local conditions. The most important equipment when hiking are a knife, matches, a map and compass. They should be taken along even on the shortest day trips in addition to food and drink.

• You can practise hiking on day trips. When you wish to try hiking outside marked trails, going out with someone more experienced is a good idea.
• The area has a dense trail network. While the trails are marked in the forest, you should get a suitable map to avoid confusing the different trail options.
• You should not head out on long excursions without navigation and hiking skills. You should also note that many trails in this area have significant height differences, which makes them more demanding.
• Late winter is a popular time for excursions, but you will also need appropriate gear during this season. You should not leave the managed track network if you do not have special skis designed for this purpose!
• Winter excursions are demanding. You need to prepare for harsh weather and short day length, as the temperature may drop below -40 degrees, and you only get a few hours of daylight during the polar night. The wind chill factor will make sub-zero temperatures considerably more difficult to sustain. You will also need more energy in very cold temperatures.
• You should be careful when following snowmobile tracks. They do not necessarily lead to where you are going. Getting lost is always dangerous in winter.
• In ravines, you may run the risk of an avalanche.
• You should avoid going out alone. In an emergency, the help of a fellow hiker is invaluable.
• Forest roads are not maintained in winter, which is why you should select one of the National Park's official parking areas as the starting point of your excursion: Salla Wilderness Park, the Ski Resort or the Northern slopes.
• Remember to always carry a first-aid kit. If you face an emergency on your hike, e.g. get lost, get injured or observe wildfire, call 112 and report an emergency. Read more about 112 Suomi mobile application (112.fi).
• Mobile phone coverage varies in Salla National Park. You can check your own mobile operator’s coverage map before your trip.

Seasons

It is important to familiarise yourself with the destination in advance and prepare carefully for your excursion. Staying on the trail and keeping an eye on weather forecasts make for a successful trip. You should get hold of Sallatunturi outdoor map before heading out.

• Summer usually only begins around mid-June once the frozen ground has thawed out and warmed up. The mosquitoes hatch around Midsummer.
• Autumn colours in Salla usually emerge in mid-September and go on until early October, after which time the first sub-zero temperatures cause the leaves to fall off trees. An autumn storm can sometimes pull the leaves off earlier.
• The first snow in winter usually falls around mid-October, and the snow accumulation in an average winter is 85 cm. The winter in Koillismaa is harsh due to very low temperatures and the heavy snow cover. We only recommend winter excursions for the most experienced outdoor enthusiasts. The lowest temperatures measured in Naruska, Salla have reached below -50 degrees C. You should remember that the wind chill factor will make sub-zero temperatures considerably more difficult to sustain. You also need more energy in cold weather, and you should account for this when packing your food supplies. You should note that on winter hikes, you will travel considerably more slowly than in the snow-free season, on average 1.5 km/h. You should also check carefully the length of daylight hours (moisio.fi) before heading out. The day length is at its shortest around the winter solstice (21 December), at which time there is 1 hour and 47 minutes of daylight in Salla. The sun rises at 11:10 and sets at 12:57.
• Spring usually comes to Koillismaa in the last week of April as the days grow longer. Spring floods usually start in mid-May, and the flood waters will normally have receded by early June.

Peak seasons

The peak times for excursions in the National Park are the skiing season from Christmas till March and the hiking season in summer and autumn.