Responsibility, peace and pure nature

Rautavaara, located on the eastern edge of North Savo, is renowned for Tiilikkajärvi National Park, its hiking destinations, and its wide variety of nature-based tourism activities. The municipality embraces responsibility as part of its statutory and strategic mission. In practice, this means protecting the environment, safeguarding biodiversity, cherishing cultural heritage, promoting social equality, and taking action to reduce climate impacts.

This was exactly what we were looking for – perfect peace and quiet in the heart of nature.

Nature at the heart of travel

Rautavaara is best known for its unspoilt nature, which offers countless opportunities for wellbeing tourism. The crown jewel is Tiilikkajärvi National Park – extended in summer 2023 – with 27 km of marked trails, sandy natural beaches, and the impressive rock formation known as Pumpulikirkko (“Cotton Church”).

The Kipari recreational area offers spectacular views from its lookout tower and is a versatile destination year-round: hiking, canoeing, and cycling in summer; cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice-fishing in winter. Visitors also enjoy natural sandy beaches such as Rouskunhiekka, the trails of Kaivannonkierto, and well-maintained ski trails and snowmobile routes.

Rautavaara also provides excellent opportunities to enjoy Finland’s Everyman’s Rights – berry and mushroom picking, fishing, and exploring freely in nature. Spending time outdoors is proven to boost wellbeing: lowering stress, lifting the mood, and strengthening the body.

The views from Kipari were stunning! Tiilikkajärvi National Park was beautiful – we’ll definitely return in summer!

Responsible local tourism in practice

The following examples highlight companies and organisations in Rautavaara that provide services for travellers and have verified their responsibility through certifications, projects, or other recognitions. Many other local businesses also contribute to sustainability in different ways, even if not officially certified.

Kestitupa Wanha Roinila– Operates using geothermal heating and domestically produced, locally sourced energy and food ingredients. Water is drawn from its own spring. Washing takes place in the lakeside saunas of the wilderness huts without burdening nature. All public and accommodation facilities are equipped with ecological composting toilets. We do not illuminate the yard unnecessarily during the dark season; instead, the lighting is motion-activated.

The Nilsiä Route Nature Conservation Association– Works to restore water bodies within the catchment area of the route (approx. 5,400 km²) and carries out supplementary stocking of juvenile fish. The area extends from the vicinity of Talvivaara in Sotkamo and Kajaani all the way to Lake Kallavesi in Kuopio. The most wilderness-like waters are found in Rautavaara or its immediate surroundings, and are therefore of particular interest to us. These include, for example, the waters of Tiilikkajärvi National Park and its adjacent areas, where there are a number of significant problems caused by human activity, such as peatland and forest drainage. Such interventions alter the natural water balance, accelerating, for instance, flood discharges and the influx of acidic water from peatlands into rivers during the spring thaw. We seek to find solutions to these problems so that the water would not be too acidic for species such as trout, which is a sensitive indicator of water quality, to thrive in the area.

Metsäkartano –Awarded the Green Key certificate, the Sustainable Travel Finland label, and recognised as a Social Enterprise. Its restaurant participates in the “Steps to Organic” programme (level 4) and has earned two organic stars. Efforts include energy efficiency, renewable energy use, youth environmental education, food waste reduction, and recycling.
Oivallusvaara Oy– Follows the principles of sustainable tourism and Green Care Finland’s ethical guidelines. Its Forest Reception® service has a quality label, and the company emphasises equality, accessibility, and inclusivity. Oivallusvaara has declared itself a discrimination-free zone.

Vaarojen Majat – Offers Tentsile accommodation without permanent structures, invests in sustainable and energy-saving equipment, favours local products, and minimises waste. The company has completed the Sustainable Travel Finland programme and has developed a plan to further its responsible practices. Vaarojen Majat is part of the We Speak Gay community, promoting LGBTQ+ inclusive tourism. The company cooperates with Metsähallitus, the Municipality of Rautavaara, and other local stakeholders. Vaarojen Majat has declared itself a discrimination-free zone.

Authentic visitor experiences

All nature-related quotes on this page are genuine entries from the Savoste guestbook of a rental cabin in Rautavaara.

Peace and silence:

This place was just what we were searching for – perfect tranquillity. Our visit made us dream of moving to the countryside.”

We came looking for peace and found it. Beautiful scenery, pure white snow, and no fireworks. The boldest of us even camped outside in a tent.

On a clear night, the stars sparkled above – Sirius shining brightest. We had missed a sky like this.

Nature experiences and activities:

We had sunny weather for hiking and covered every trail in Tiilikkajärvi within two days.

A mini winter holiday in Rautavaara! Excellent conditions for skiing, hiking, and snowshoeing. The views from Kipari were fantastic… and the national park was simply stunning. We’ll return in summer!

Acts of responsibility

A biomass power plant produces renewable energy locally, reducing the use of fossil fuels.
An electric car charging point at the municipal hall supports low-emission transport.
Ryhäsensuo bog restoration helps restore wetland nature and strengthen biodiversity.
The “We Speak Through Actions” campaign promotes equality and non-discrimination.
The Nature’s Best and Shared Appeal projects develop tourism services and marketing with sustainability in mind.

How you can contribute

As a traveller, even small choices can leave behind a positive footprint – for yourself, the community, and nature. Many visitors say they find here the silence and purity they’ve been searching for. You can help preserve this by:

Staying on marked trails and using official campfire sites.
Taking your rubbish with you and recycling where possible.
Letting the sounds of nature prevail and respecting wildlife.
Choosing local services and products to support the region.
Favouring low-emission transport or public travel options.

As a business, you can strengthen the area’s appeal and sustainability in many ways. Tourism in Rautavaara grows through cooperation, and responsible actions are widely recognised. You can:

Join the Visit Rautavaara responsibility listing by verifying your sustainability work (certificate, action plan, project participation, or other documented practices).
Become part of the Rautavaara tourism network (open to local businesses and service providers for visitors).
Provide eco-friendly options and communicate openly about your responsibility efforts.
Develop services together with other local actors.
Ensure accessibility, equality, and the preservation of local culture.

Peaceful nature, clean air, and responsibly delivered services create experiences that last long after your visit.
Welcome to Rautavaara!