Outdoor etiquette
Protect the environment while you are in the wilderness
Respect nature – leave no trace in it.
Observe animals and their young from a sufficient distance. Don’t step on plants. Make sure that the GPS trails and social media content you share comply with the rules of the protected area. For example, don’t stack rocks on the fells of Lapland, so that you don’t damage the natural landscape. Keep your pets on a leash so that they don’t cause damage to or disturb wild animals.
Stay on marked trails.
Large numbers of visitors cause wear and tear in nature. Many hiking areas have access restrictions, for example during the nesting season of birds; take them into consideration. Only use permitted methods of moving about. For example, biking is not allowed everywhere.
Only pitch your tent on sites where camping is allowed.
Do not wash dishes or yourself in natural waters and soak any washing water into the ground far enough from natural waters. Use a dry or a vacuum toilet if you can find one. If not, relieve yourself far away from trails and waterways and hide the paper under a rock, for example.
Take your rubbish away with you.
Small amounts of organic waste can be put into the composter or the dry toilet of the campsite. However, wet wipes, for example, are made out of plastic and must be taken away with you from the wilderness.
Only make fires where it is permitted.
Camping stoves should be the first preference for cooking. They are allowed even when a wildfire warning has been issued. Do not pull bark off of trees and use firewood sparingly. Don’t burden nature by using disposable grills. A campfire must be extinguished carefully, as a forest fire may ignite from the embers in the ashes.
Favour local areas.
Walk, cycle, use public transport or carpool.
Source: Luontoon.fi
Remember that one spark is enough to start a wildfire!
Lighting an open fire
- You are not allowed to light an open fire when the Finnish Meteorological Institute has issued a wildfire warning or if conditions due to drought, wind or other reasons are such that there is a clear risk of wildfire or other fire.
- An open fire refers to a campfire or a similar type of fire where it’s possible for the fire to get out of control, either by spreading along the ground or by sparks flying from it.
- It is not allowed to light an open fire one another person’s land without the landowner’s permission.
No open fires are permitted while a wildfire warning has been issued – not even on Midsummer!
The map image from the Finnish Meteorological Institute shows current warnings.
Finnish Meteorological Institute – Warnings
