Hiking structures in state-owned areas
Trails, paths and bridges as well as rest areas and camping areas, with toilets, parking areas and watercraft landings are maintained at hiking destinations managed by Metsähallitus. The destinations also have guide structures, such as signs and markers. National Parks Finland is responsible for this free service equipment for hikers in protected areas and at historical sites.
Metsähallitus offers the use of some of its own huts to visitors, such as wilderness huts and reservable huts. Local companies provide accommodation outside protected areas.
We make every effort to build long-term buildings and structures with low life-cycle costs that are suitable for the environment and landscape as a whole. These sites must be properly dimensioned and adaptable in terms of their use. Renewable energy solutions are favoured. Old buildings are renovated and used to preserve their cultural value.
Service equipment according to need
Depending on their nature, different nature reserves are developed with different levels of equipment. Minimum and maximum target levels are specified in the management plan. The purpose of the service equipment and its use is to direct visitors to parts of the protected area where the nature values are least endangered. Most mires and small nature reserves have no service equipment whatsoever.
All service structures and services are located centrally and in zones so that the areas to which people are directed do not interfere with the most valuable parts of nature in the protected area. Zones are created, on the one hand, to form sufficiently large, undisturbed areas and minimise the amount of wear and tear on them, and, on the other, to give groups of users interested in nature an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the area and have unforgettable nature experiences.
Maintenance and servicing of hiking destinations
The maintenance and servicing of hiking destinations managed by Metsähallitus is a large-scale worksite. It includes tasks ranging from renovating buildings of historical value to firewood and waste management.
The maintenance of protected areas is handled in a way that minimises its impact on nature in the area. However, firewood and waste management require moving about in the area. Waste management is based on the principles of environmentally-friendly litter-free hiking, i.e. the visitors bring their waste to sorting points themselves. We consider waste management construction and maintenance work to be cost-effective. We do not furnish all visitor sites with waste receptacles. Dry toilet and biowaste can be composted and intermediate storage points can be installed in the field.
In addition to maintenance work, Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife Finland field personnel are involved in nature management and customer service in protected areas out in the field. Their duties also include guiding and supervision.
Maintenance tasks are also performed by entrepreneurs in the sector. In Southern and Central Finland, Metsähallitus also employs inmates from open prisons.