Winter Hiking in Tiilikkajärvi National Park

In winter, walking trails in Tiilikkajärvi National Park are not ploughed or machine-packed. When there is plenty of snow, forest skis or sliding snowshoes are the most reliable way to get around.

However, the Uiton kierto trail may become packed enough during busy times to be walkable in boots. Please note:

• When temperatures fluctuate, packed trails can become extremely slippery.
• After heavy snowfall or drifting winds, the trail may be hard to follow.
• Warm weather softens the edges of paths, making them slushy.

We recommend taking snowshoes or skis with you in any case.

There are no dedicated snowshoeing trails in Tiilikkajärvi National Park. You can snowshoe anywhere, bearing in mind that some bogs have movement restrictions starting in April. Following summer trail markers helps you stay on track and in safe terrain.

• Snowshoeing in deep snow is strenuous, so beginners should choose short routes, such as the Haravapuron polku Trail.
• Start planning your snowshoe trip by checking winter maintenance of parking areas. Metsähallitus does not monitor or report daily ploughing, but the Sammakkotammi parking area is cleared. Metsäkartano also offers plenty of parking and services.
• The Pohjoislahti parking area is not ploughed; instead, a lay-by is cleared at the start of the forest road, about 2 km from the parking area. The Konttimäki parking area and its access roads are not ploughed.

Generally, short trails with a ploughed parking area at the start and a campfire site along the route tend to stay open and packed throughout winter.

• However, snowstorms can block trails, and warm weather can soften path edges.

• Visitors are responsible for clearing snow from campfire sites themselves.

• Information on parking areas can be found in the first paragraph of this news item. Winter maintenance details are also available by clicking the parking icon on the map or checking the “Directions” page for each site.
  Campfire sites usually easy to reach in winter:

• Sammakkotammi campfire site

• Haravapuro lean-to shelter

• Uitto campfire site, especially by ski or snowshoe.

In late winter, traditional ski tracks are groomed from Sammakkotammi parking area towards Uitto. Track maintenance and updates are handled by the municipality of Rautavaara.

Metsäkartano has its own network of ski tracks, including tracks for skating style.

• Walking or snowshoeing on ski tracks is prohibited – skiing only.
• Beware of thin ice!