The Municipality of Rautavaara is preparing a set of projects to open up the expansion area of Tiilikkajärvi National Park to hikers, visitors and local businesses. We are currently applying for funding and invite businesses and other organisations that want to use the new trail network and develop services around it to join us.

Why the project is needed

Tiilikkajärvi National Park was expanded in 2023 to some 7,200 hectares. The expansion area has exceptional natural sites, such as the Pumpulikirkko pothole, one of Finland’s most significant geological natural sites. Even so, the area’s potential remains largely untapped.

• The Virvatulet trail connecting the old and new parts of the park is overgrown, and its boardwalks have rotted.
• The expansion area lacks camping areas, rest stops and entry points suited to groups and businesses.
• Local services are scattered, and visitors cannot buy a complete package in one place.
• International visitors account for only about five per cent of visits, and the area is hard to reach without a car.

What the projects will do

The programme consists of two complementary projects. One builds the trails and structures; the other develops services and business around them.

Trails and structures

• A continuous trail of some 20 kilometres from Metsäkartano via Pumpulikirkko to Sammakkotammi, including about 8 kilometres of boardwalks.
• Camping areas at Pankalampi and Yrttilampi, and rest stops at Yrttisuo and Sopasen kankaat.
• Entry points at Sammakkotammi and Metsäkartano.
• An accessible site at Yrttilampi with an accessible trail, cooking shelter and toilet.
• Lockable storage for entrepreneurs’ equipment.
• E-bike charging points and bike shelters in the village centre, at Metsäkartano and at Sammakkotammi.
• Signage for the entire trail network.

Services and business

• Open terms of use, equal for all, for the structures suited to business use.
• Services and multi-company packages developed together with businesses.
• New services tested in customer pilots across the seasons.
• Services made bookable online for domestic and international customers.
• Car-free access to the area and transport between the Hiidenportti, Tiilikkajärvi and Koli national parks.
• A rental model for e-bikes.
• Training for businesses, for example in product development, pricing, online sales and safety.
• A local model for maintaining the structures that creates permanent jobs in the area.

Objectives

• The national park’s visitor flow becomes local livelihoods and new jobs.
• Services and packages can be bought all year round.
• The number of international visitors doubles or triples by 2031.
• Visitors spread across the whole park, respecting the carrying capacity of nature.

Join us

We are looking for supporters and participants for the projects. We welcome, among others:

• tourism, activity, accommodation and food service businesses
• guiding, wellbeing, equipment rental, transport, craft and event entrepreneurs
• maintenance, earthworks, forestry service and property maintenance companies
• new and part-time entrepreneurs and those planning to start a business
• associations, municipalities and tourism organisations.

Joining is easy. When you let us know you are interested, we will send you a letter of intent to sign. The letter shows that there is a real need for the projects in the area and strengthens our funding application. You can also join later while the projects are running.

Project details

Implemented by: Municipality of Rautavaara
In cooperation with: Metsähallitus (Parks & Wildlife Finland)
Planned duration: 1 March 2027 – 31 December 2029
Status: funding application in preparation

Contact

Johan Halvarsson, Business Development Manager
+358 44 452 5712
johan.halvarsson@rautavaara.fi