Instructions on Exploring Tarvantovaara Wilderness Area
- Hiking, skiing and temporary camping are allowed everywhere in the wilderness area according to the Everyman's rights (environment.fi).
- You may light campfires without any permit, but you may only use fallen branches and twigs as firewood. Lighting campfires is not recommended in areas with few trees. Use an old campfire site if you can find one. Lighting campfires is forbidden when there is a wildfire warning in effect.
- Making open fires is always prohibited at both marked campfire sites and when fires are permitted by the land owner if a wildfire warning (ilmatieteenlaitos.fi) has been issued for the area.
- This prohibition does not apply to cooking shelters or other fireplaces with a flue.
- Pets are allowed in the area's open wilderness huts only if the others in the hut allow.
- As a rule, a permit issued by Metsähallitus is required for activities other than those included in everyman's rights, which may include research and organised events. Further information on required permits: research and access permits (metsa.fi) and permits and notifications related to events (metsa.fi).
Fishing in Tarvantovaara Wilderness Area
The use of Metsähallitus' services is subject to a fee for companies
If a travel company regularly takes its customers to destinations maintained by Metsähallitus, it is subject to a fee (metsa.fi). The fee is (1.5 € + VAT / customer / day). Fees are paid in advance via the Eräluvat.fi online store. Invoicing can be agreed with contract companies on a seasonal basis.
Snowmobiling in Enontekiö
Please keep in mind that snowmobiling is not an everyman's right. Leisure snowmobiling is only allowed on marked snowmobile routes and tracks, as well as on ice-covered waterways. In addition, there are more specific rules applying to protected areas.
You can head out along marked snowmobile tracks on your own or with a local safari service. Some of the tracks require you to purchase a permit, and some are free of charge. Please remember that it is not allowed to turn off the track without the landowner's permission!
The snowmobile tracks starting from the Hetta village are maintained by the municipality of Enontekiö. You do not need a permit to ride on them. The Victoria route, which runs along the border of Finland and Sweden from Muonio to Kilpisjärvi, is also free of charge.
For the snowmobile track leading from Palojärvi to Kilpisjärvi in the Käsivarsi Wilderness Area in Enontekiö, as well as for the Syväjärvi–Karesuvanto and Raittijärvi–Saarikoski tracks branching off the main track, you need to purchase a national off-road traffic permit from Metsähallitus (eraluvat.fi). In the Kilpisjärvi village area, snowmobile tracks are maintained by the Kilpisjärven ladut ry association, and a track maintenance fee (kilpisjarvenladut.fi) must be paid online.
Snowmobiling maps
The tracks in the Enontekiö area can be found at Excursionmap.fi (www.excursionmap.fi).
The Kilpisjärvi–Palojärvi track subject to a national Metsähallitus permit fee as well as the Syväjärvi–Karesuvanto and Raittijärvi–Saarikoski branches:
Preparations
Mobile Phone Coverage
- Although Finland has a broad network for mobile phones, there are some areas in the Tarvantovaara Wilderness Area 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.
- We recommend that you keep your mobile phone warm at all times and take along food and drink. Certain phone models do not work when the temperature falls below zero. You should therefore let someone know your planned route. To keep your mobile phone charged, bring along a spare power source, a spare battery or an old phone with a working battery.
Equipment and Safety
- When wilderness trekking in Tarvantovaara Wilderness Area you should always have a map, a compass and proper clothing, footwear and overnight gear depending on the length of your trek. Please note that weather conditions change very quickly and it can snow even in summer.
- 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.
- Make sure you pack a first-aid kit.
- Hiking in wilderness areas is more demanding than on marked trails. For this reason it is good to be an experienced hiker before attempting a wilderness trek off-trails.
- Hiking in Finland:
Peak Seasons
The most popular times to hike in the wilderness area are spring and summer. June through September is the most popular time, but the area is not so busy that it would seem crowded at any time.
