Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
National Parks
Finland's excellent network of national parks and other protected areas is maintained by
Metsähallitus (Finnish Forest & Park Service; www.outdoors.fi ) . At last count, there were 38 na-
tional parks that made up a total area of over 8000 sq km. A similar amount of territory is
protected under other categories, while further swathes of land are designated wilderness
reserves. In total, over 30,000 sq km - some 9% of the total area - is in some way protec-
ted land.
The Metsähallitus website provides wonderful information on all these spots; the organ-
isation also publishes individual leaflets on each park.
The largest and most pristine national parks are in northern Finland, particularly Lap-
land, where vast swathes of wilderness invite trekking, cross-country skiing, fishing and
canoeing.
Many of the national parks have excellent networks of wilderness huts that provide cosy
free places to overnight on hiking routes.
 
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