Wilderness areas in Northern Lapland offer the ideal
environment for experienced hikers, who want to enjoy the peace and quiet of
nature and hike through wild terrain without meeting other people.
Hiking in these
areas is challenging and hikers should have good orienteering and survival
skills. You will also need proper equipment so that you will be able withstand
all weather conditions. Only a few wilderness areas have open wilderness huts or
a marked trail.
Wilderness areas are
vast unsettled spaces. Traditionally they have been hunting and fishing areas,
and renewable resources have been found in them. The wilderness areas in
Enontekiö, Inari and Utsjoki are in Sámi homelands. The Sámi practice commercial
reindeer husbandry and natural livelihoods in these areas and these days run
tourist services as well.
The
forests in wilderness areas are conserved in their natural state and trees are
only felled to ensure the forests stay healthy. No permanent roads have been
built in the areas.
There are 12 wilderness areas in Finland, which together cover 15,000 sq. km
of land area. Wilderness areas are managed by Metsähallitus.
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