It is important that you get as much information as possible about your hiking destination in advance and prepare for your trip thoroughly. You should obtain a outdoor map for your trip. Knowing your route and sticking to it and knowing what the weather and warnings in effect (ilmatieteenlaitos.fi) has in store, will help make your trip a success.
Take into account the different seasons when packing equipment and food. In winter, your energy consumption is higher and you need to eat considerably more than in summer. 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 find more detailed information on equipment and hiking for example from the Outdoor Guide on Luontoon.fi website or from hiking books.
A sleeping bag is part of a hiker’s basic equipment, and a tent is also needed especially in winter.
Make use of the good, comprehensive network of huts in the national park when planning a hike. In the off-season there is usually room in the huts, but if you want to guarantee yourself a sleeping place, make a reservation for a reservable hut or turf hut or keep a tent with you.
You should also take your own fire alarm with you, just in case, because moisture and the cold weaken the functioning of the fire alarm batteries.
Especially winter campers should take their own axe and/or saw with them when they leave for their trip.
Dress for hiking in colorful clothes and according to the weather.
The hut's folder contains e.g. instructions on how to use equipment and how to behave in the hut. Mark down your name and route in the guest books. In emergencies these markings can be vital.
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.
Before setting out on a trek explain your exact route to someone reliable. If your route changes tell your contact as soon as possible. Remember to also tell them when you have returned from your trek. You can leave your route information at your place of lodging, Fell Centre Kiilopää or any of the parks Visitor Centres. Mark down your visits in the huts' and tepees' guest books. In emergencies the markings serve as aids to helpers. The area's rescue service has been organised according to statutes and it can be reached through the emergency exchange. Remember to give notice of your arrival so that the searchers are not called out unnecessarily.
The weather may change rapidly on the fells. A quickly forming fog or blizzard may cause dangerous situations.
In winter, trekking is very demanding. Harsh weather and poor light in the middle of winter cause difficulties. The temperature can drop to -40° and during the darkest part of winter there is sunlight for only a couple of hours. The cold is increased significantly by wind chill.
Orienteering skills are essential. Be prepared for emergencies such as having to camp out in the forest.
Avoid hiking alone. In emergencies a hiking partner is immeasurably valuable.
Early spring is a popular time for trekking, but even then proper gear is needed.If you have normal cross-country skis, you should stay on maintained trails.
You should be careful when following snowmobile tracks. They do not necessarily lead to where you are going. Getting lost is especially dangerous during winter. Please note there may be a risk of an avalanche in ravines.
Make sure you pack 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. The area is covered by the statutory rescue services, which can be reached through the Emergency Response Centre. More information on how to act in an emergency.
Mobile phone coverage in Urho Kekkonen National Park is fair, but there are many areas with a weak signal. Download the 112 Finland application (112.fi) to your phone. When an emergency call is made through the 112 Finland application, the emergency centre attendant is automatically informed of the caller's location.

The gas stove has been removed from the Hammaskota Campfire Shelter in Urho Kekkonen National Park