The thrill of whitewater rafting, the swish of skis on snow, the bite of a hefty catch on the fishing line, fields laden with ripe berries and the vigour of a faithful hunting dog smelling the woods. All of this is offered by national hiking areas meant for a wide range of recreational activities.
The hiking areas include marked hiking and skiing trails, nature trails, camping sites and lean-to shelters. Many of them also have a visitor centre or hiking centre as well as cabins and lodges that are rented out. The services have been designed to accommodate visitors with physical disabilities as much as possible.
Hiking areas are maintained with, for example, fellings. Maintenance is conducted in such a way as to not disturb recreational use.