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National Parks
National Parks in Finnland
Finland's 37 National Parks, managed by Metsähallitus, cover a total area of 9,789 square kilometres, or 2.5% of the country's total land area. In 2007 a total of 1.7 million people visited them.
Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
The scenery in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is dominated by fells surrounded by forests and mires in their natural state. Because the area's nature is clean and beautiful and the terrain varying, the park is a wonderful place to hike, ski...
Koli National Park
Koli is the National Park of forested hills. Koli, with its art inspiring lookout points, white quartzite cliffs, wilderness-like Lake Pielinen, slash-and-burn woodlands and traditional landscapes, as well as, its excellent hiking trails, skiing...
Hiidenportti National Park
According to an old Finnish legend a demon called Hiisi fled to the peaceful and quiet setting of Hiidenportti. You can do the same: escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In Hiidenportti National Park you can find peace in the middle of...
Gulf of Finland National Park
Gulf of Finland National Park is known for its diversity of bird species, and its war history. The best way to explore the park is by boat. To Ulko-Tammio Island there is also a regular passenger boat service during the summer.
The National Park...
Isojärvi National Park
Isojärvi National Park is an ideal destination for a hiker looking for peaceful forest and lake landscapes. The National Park is suitable for hiking trips lasting for one or two days. There is also a lot to see if you choose to go by canoe, and...
Nuuksio National Park
In Nuuksio it is possible to escape the busy capital city and experience nature. With its marked trails, cooking shelters and camping sites Nuuksio is ideal for short hiking trips lasting one or two days.
Nuuksio National Park forms the western part...
Archipelago National Park
The Archipelago in the Baltic Sea was created by the Ice Age. Rugged rocky islets and forested islands, separated by open sea, are characteristic to the area. The nature trails guide you to the diversity of the natural features and the life of the...
Helvetinjärvi National Park
The deep gorges of Helvetinjärvi National Park were formed millions of years ago by faults in the bedrock running right through the area. Today this rugged scenery attracts hikers for both day trips and camping. From the Park it is possible to...
Ekenäs Archipelago National Park
Ekenäs Archipelago National Park in the Gulf of Finland is a beautiful part of Nyland archipelago. The park offers good possibilities for boating.
The National Park is located in Western Nyland near the southern coast of Finland and it includes...
Syöte National Park
The landscape of Syöte National Park, with its rugged hills, special bogs on hill tops and slopes, and old spruce forests create an attractive setting for a hiker. Syöte is the largest of the four parts of the Park, and it offers excellent...
Each National Park is a protected area of over 1,000 hectares, freely open to all. Although these parks are significant tourist attractions, having within their boundaries national landscapes and other natural sights, the primary purpose of the National Parks is to ensure the diversity of Finnish nature and to protect natural features. Finland's National Parks are of national and international importance, and in addition to providing a wonderful environment for outdoor recreation and being a valuable source of sustainable nature tourism, the parks are also used beneficially for scientific research and amateur nature studies.
Finland's National Parks are found in all parts of the country, the most northerly being Lemmenjoki National Park in Northern Lapland, the most southerly being the Ekenäs Archipelago in the Baltic Sea south-west of Helsinki, one of four National Parks located in Finland's coastal waters. This wide geographical range means that not only do visitors get to experience the wealth of differient landscapes in Finland, but they also get to experience the incredible diversity of Finnish wildlife and flora, from the snowy owls, lemmings, and wolverines of the north, to the bears and wolves of the east, and the incredible number of nesting birds in the archipelagos.
Finland's National Parks are perfect for hiking, cycling, boating, fishing, and birdwatching, and in the winter the same trails are used by skiers, and in many there are campsites in most for those who wish to stay overnight. The best place to begin an excursion is to visit one of the many visitor or nature centres which are located in or near the National Parks. At these centres you'll find exhibitions which introduce the landscape and biotopes, find detailed maps of the parks, get useful tips on how to make the most out of your trip, and meet local guides whose in-depth knowledge of the area is invaluable. Visitors will also be reminded of the rules and regulations there that ensure the impact made on the environment is negligible, and can stock up on whatever supplies they need for their excursion.
The following is a full list of all the National Parks in Finland, in alphabetical order: click on the link for a more detailed introduction to each of the 37 parks.
Archipelago
Bothnian Sea
Eastern Gulf of Finland
Ekenäs Archipelago
Helvetinjärvi
Hiidenportti
Isojärvi
Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas
Koli
Kolovesi
Kurjenrahka
Lauhanvuori
Leivonmäki
Lemmenjoki
Liesjärvi
Linnansaari
Nuuksio
Oulanka
Pallas-Yllästunturi
Patvinsuo
Perämeri
Petkeljärvi
Puurijärvi-Isosuo
Pyhä-Häkki
Pyhä-Luosto
Päijänne
Repovesi
Riisitunturi
Rokua
Salamajärvi
Seitseminen
Sipoonkorpi
Syöte
Tiilikkajärvi
Torronsuo
Urho Kekkonen National Park
Valkmusa