During winter, sledging or sliding downhill has become increasingly common on hiking trails maintained by Metsähallitus. Sledding is everymans’s right, but for safety reasons, one should find a slope where there are no other hikers.
On nature reserves and other excursion destinations, using a sledge on official hiking trails is allowed for pulling a child or carrying gear.
Safety first
Sledging downhill on hiking trails with a sledge, slider, pulk or steerable sledge creates hazards for both the rider and other trail users. Everyone is responsible for their own actions and any harm caused to others.
- If the trail is narrow and surrounded by trees, it can be difficult to stay on track as the speed increases downhill, making it very hard to control the sled.
- Lower down the slope, there are often other people, and you may unintentionally collide with them causing serious injury.
- On some routes, speed can build up on compacted trails, making the sledge hard to control.
- At certain times of the year, snow cover may be thin, and branches and rocks sticking out from the icy ground on the trails can also pose a hazard.
- Sledding on the trail also makes the path slippery and makes it more difficult to move along the trail.
- In the event of an accident, it can be difficult and time-consuming for rescue personnel to reach the location in the terrain, especially in areas that are hard to access.
Responsible hiking
In national parks, the everyman’s right does not apply as such, because each national park and most other nature reserves have their own regulations.
A responsible hiker knows the Outdoor etiquette and respects others. This means moving safely, avoiding hazards and showing consideration for nature and fellow visitors.