Instructions and Rules in Repovesi National Park

Instructions on Exploring Repovesi National Park

In the National Park, the following are

allowed:

• Hiking, skiing, rowing and canoeing, except in restricted areas.
• Picking berries and mushrooms, except in restricted areas.
• Angling and ice-fishing, except in restricted areas. Other types of fishing is forbidden in state or UPM-Kymmene owned waters.
• Rock Climbing at Olhavanvuori.
  • Rock climbing is not permitted on the parks other hills, because the parks vegetation is easily damaged. Finland’s Antiquities Act also prohibits rock climbing in the vicinity of rock paintings at Olhavanvuori Rock. Drilling new bolts or anchors to the cliff-face is forbidden.

restricted:

• Entering the east and northeast part of the park, where the Pahkajärvi army shooting and practice area is. A permit is required if going into this area. The restricted area is marked and can be seen on the area’s
map.
• Travelling in the Lakes Repovesi, Kapiavesi and Tihvetjärvi by motor vehicles (such as water bus, motor boat, water scooter, etc.) if it causes undue noise or other harm.
• Camping and building campfires is allowed only in places designated for this purpose. Camping for short periods is permitted as an everyman’s right (www.environment.fi) in areas where people are permitted to be, but campfires cannot be built at these self-made campsites.

forbidden:

• Lighting campfires if the forest fire warning is in effect. During forest fire warnings, fires can only be lit in Campfire shelters (located at: Kuutinlahti, Mustalamminvuori shore and Lapinsalmi) in cooking shelters and to light a gas cooker.
• Letting pets run free.
• Picking mushrooms other than edible ones. Picking or ripping or otherwise harming trees, shrubs, and other plants.
• Causing harm to earth or rock, taking minerals or other earth or rock.
• Hunting, killing or frightening small vertebrates or destroying their dens.
• Hunting or collecting invertebrates.
• Hunting or driving game.
• Driving motor vehicle (such as car, moped, motorcycle, snowmobile, ATV, etc.) on closed off roads and off-road
• Exceptions: Rescue services, park security and maintenance personnel, cottage owners, who can travel to their properties through the park area. Also maintenance vehicles going to the Kuutinlahti concert area. Permits are not given for any other events.
• Kuismantie Road is closed off from public traffic with bar gates from Saarijärvi Parking Area to Tervajärvi Parking Area. Motor vehicles are not permitted in this area.
• Snowmobiles are not permitted in the terrain around the sounds (for example Lapinsalmi, Ruskiansalmi Sounds). The ice of the sounds cannot be reached from this terrain. Riding on private land without the owner’s permission is considered trespassing and is punishable by law.
• Travelling by motorised water transport in state or UPM-Kymmene owned waters, except in Lakes Repovesi, Kapiavesi and Tihvetjärvi.
• The local fishing collective has forbidden the use of motor vehicles on Lake Tervajärvi.
• Landing on state or UPM-Kymmene owned water with aircrafts.
• Littering and damaging or destroying structures.
• Boating and canoeing on Lake Olhavanlampi up to mid-summer. The only exception is the use of boats by rock climbers to reach the foot of the cliff.

Preparations

Mobile Phone Coverage

Although Finland has a broad network for mobile phones, there are some areas in the park without signal. There may also be some smaller spots where there is interference. If this happens try to climb to a higher place or go into an open area. It may be worth removing the SIM card from your phone and then trying again to make emergency call. Different phones also differ in their coverage.

Equipment

Sturdy shoes are needed for hiking in Repovesi National Park. Trails are rocky and have roots growing across them. Cliffs, especially the edges of cliffs can be slippery. Loose rocks may also cause hikers to slip. The areas steep hills and cliffs make hiking demanding and hikers should reserve more time than usual for their trips.
• A flashlight or head-lamp is useful on hill-side trails at twilight. Watching a sunrise or sunset from the top of a hill is a memorable experience.
• During summer a snake venom antidote pack, a first aid medication for snakebite found in Finnish pharmacies is essential, as adders (
Vipera berus) thrive on sunny hill-sides.
• Be prepared for the onslaught of mosquitoes and Elk Flies (
Lipoptena cervi). Mosquitoes start to appear in mid-June and disappear in August. Elk Flies appear in August or September.
• Weather conditions change quite quickly during autumn. So be prepared for rain and wind, even on short hikes.
• Drinking water and toilet paper are good to have along.
• Hiking without Littering

Peak Seasons

• Repovesi is a very popular outdoor recreation area. A majority of visitors go to Lapinsalmi Sound. Especially in July the Lapinsalmi Entrance is busy. Visitors may have to queue for a long time to cross the hanging bridge at Lapinsalmi.
• It is advisable to enter the middle part of the park somewhere else than at Lapinsalmi Entrance. By straying from most popular trails hikers can experience something new and be able to wander without being cramped by other hikers.
• Repovesi is suitable for hiking during all seasons. Different weather conditions and ways of travelling (by foot, ski, boat or canoe) make it a versatile destination year-round.