Bothnian Sea National Park was established to protect underwater nature, preserve natural and cultural heritage, promote citizens’ nature activities, facilitate education and research and monitor environmental changes.
The objectives also included ensuring the continued viability of professional fishing in the area.
Bothnian Sea National Park comprises offshore areas, archipelagos, islets, bays and coastal wetlands. It is important to study matters dealing with the national park in advance and prepare yourself properly for your trip by reading the instructions.
Respect Nature
The outdoor activities in the Bothnian Sea National Park are guided with the rules and regulations. When getting around in nature, let’s show respect for it. Take a look at the Outdoor Etiquette.
Please don’t share any such contents on the Internet that break the rules of the national park.
Letting pets running at large is forbidden. Dogs and other pets are welcome in the national park but only on a leash.
Getting Around in National Park
In the Bothnian Sea National Park, you may freely walk, ski, row and canoe and travelling by boat also swimming and diving are allowed.
Mountain biking is allowed according to everyman's rights. Always stay on clearly visible tracks and pay attention to other hikers
Many Bothnian Sea islands are important for nesting birds, which is why it is important to avoid going on islets with nesting birds and to stay on marked trails during the nesting season between 1 May and 15 July.
In addition, access to certain areas in the Bothnian Sea archipelago can be restricted (finlex.fi, in finnish).
Camping
Camping for a short period of time.
Lighting Campfires
Lighting a fire is allowed 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.
The use of a portable camping stove is allowed in areas where hiking is allowed. During the wildfire warning, the use of hobo stoves is not allowed, as sparks may be created.
Lighting any campfires is strictly forhibited if the wildfire warning is in effect. Always check the current warnings (ilmatieteenlaitos.fi). This prohibition does not apply to cooking shelters or other fireplaces with a flue.
Litter-free Hiking
There are no waste-bins or recycling points in the park. Measures should be taken in advance to avoid taking unnecessary waste into the area. Take away everything you brought along.
You can put leftovers and other biowaste in a dry toilet at rest spots.
Small amounts of clean paper and cardboard may be used as kindling at a campfire site or a fireplace at a 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.
Read more about Hiking without littering.
Fishing
Hook and line fishing, ice fishing and fishing with a simple herring rig are permitted under everyman's rights.
Persons aged 18-69 years must pay the fisheries management fee (eraluvat.fi). Fishing permits are available from Metsähallitus' online shop (eraluvat.fi). Please note that fishing in Myllypuro brook and other fluvial waters is prohibited.
Fishers need to check the restrictions on fishing sites at kalastusrajoitus.fi (In Finnish).
If you are fishing in the City of Rauma’s water areas, you must observe the fishing regulations of the City of Rauma (rauma.fi, in finnish). Fishing permit fees charged by the City of Rauma (rauma.fi, in finnish).
Hunting
Waterfowl can be hunted in the autumn on the islands of Harmaaletto in Uusikaupunki, Bokreivit in Rauma, Räyhät in Pori and Kasalabodan in Merikarvia with a hunting licence from Metsähallitus (eraluvat.fi). Grey seal hunting is permitted without a licence in the park's public waters but an agreement with the landowner is needed for hunting in other areas.
Picking Berries, Mushrooms and Wild Herbs
Picking berries and edible mushrooms is allowed, except in restricted areas.
Taking or damaging trees, bushes, other plants or their parts, or mushrooms other than edible ones is forbidden. Picking wild herbs and flowering plants is prohibited.
Other Rules and Instructions
As a rule, a permit issued by Metsähallitus is required for activities other than those included in everyman's rights, which may include research, organised events and the shooting of films or advertisements in the terrain. Further information on required permits: research and access permits (metsa.fi) and permits and notifications related to events (metsa.fi).
The use of the trails and structures of the Bothnian Sea National Park for business activities is always subject to a fee, and for frequent business use, a contract with Metsähallitus (metsa.fi) is required. The right of use fees for specific days are paid at the Eräluvat webshop (eraluvat.fi).
In Bothnian Bay National Park, you may not
- Disturb other people
- Pick or damage trees, bushes or other plants or their parts, except edible mushrooms
- Damaging soil or rock, and extraction of earth material or minerals
- Operate motor vehicles, except on roads designated for them
- Catching or collecting invertebrates
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Capture, kill or chase wild animals (vertebrates) or destroy their nests, excluding hunting subject to a licence
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Leaving waste in the area, or damaging construction
Management plan for Bothnian Sea National Park
Management plan for Bothnian Sea National Park (pdf 9,5 Mt in finnish, julkaisut.metsa.fi).
Safety
It is important that you get as much information as possible about your hiking destination in advance and prepare for your trip thoroughly. 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 care when walking on the shores as the stones and rocks may be unexpectedly slippery.
- We do not recommend going onto the ice unless you know the local ice conditions well.
- Dress for hiking in colorful clothes and according to the weather. Drinking water is good to have along.
- At the sea it is always important to be prepared for quickly changing weather conditions. Especially important is to make sure that the boat is in good condition. Boaters should have the appropriate sea chart of the area merikortti (traficom.fi). Series E covers the Bothnian Sea area.
- With clothing and other equipment, it is good to note, that the area is quite windy and that ticks (Ixodes ricinus) live there, and some of them carry viruses and bacteria which cause diseases. It is wise to pack tick pliers and check daily for ticks.
- Snakes are common in the archipelago, so it is advisable to watch out when walking.
- 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. More information on how to act in an emergency.
- Mobile telephones work quite well in Nuuksio National Park, except in some areas in the park where cliffs or forest block signals. Read more about mobile phone coverage (112.fi).
- Hiking in Finland
- Before your trip see also page What is New.
