Experience

Saimaa is the largest lake district in Europe, a labyrinth of almost 120 blue lakes and 14,000 green islands. Animals of all shapes and sizes live in the waters and forests of Saimaa, from the majestic elk to the beautiful osprey. The most famous inhabitant of the lake district is the endangered Saimaa Ringed Seal, of which an estimated 260 individuals still remain in the wild. With a little luck visitors can catch a glimpse of these sympathetic creatures as they soak up the sun on the rocks.

Mikkeli District offers splendid natural conditions for enjoying active holidays, including hiking, cycling, swimming, boating, canoeing or even berry picking. The traditional Finnish legal concept of everyman's right allows free right of access to the land and waterways.

Everyman's right in brief

Everyone may:

- walk, ski or cycle freely in the countryside, except in gardens, in the immediate vicinity of people’s homes, and in fields and plantations which could easily be damaged
- stay or set up camp temporarily in the countryside, a reasonable distance from homes
- pick wild berries, mushrooms and flowers, as long as they are not protected species
- fish with a rod and line
- row, sail or use a motorboat on waterways, with certain restrictions;  swim or wash in inland waters and the sea
- walk, ski and fish on frozen lakes, rivers and the sea

You may not:

- disturb other people or damage property
- disturb breeding birds, or their nests or young
- disturb reindeer or game animals
- cut down or damage living trees, or collect wood, moss or lichen on other people’s property
- light open fires on other people’s property, except in an emergency
- disturb the privacy of people’s homes, by camping too near them, or making too much noise, for example
- leave litter
- drive motor vehicles off road without the landowner’s permission
- fish or hunt without the relevant permits

Experience