Off-road traffic
Where the road ends, the wilderness experience begins! For lands owned by the Finnish state, permits for off-road traffic are granted by Metsähallitus.
As a term, off-road traffic denotes the use of motor-driven vehicles in the terrain. Terrain is defined here as areas of land that do not have official snowmobile routes or roads intended for motor vehicles. Off-road traffic always requires the premission of the landowner. The off-road traffic permit for state-owned lands in one's municipality of residence is free of charge (Act on Metsähallitus 234/2016, Section 24, Clause 2).
Metsähallitus maintains snowmobile tracks for snowmobile drivers on state-owned lands. These tracks are unofficial routes and their use is subject to charge. To drive on these tracks, you will need either a personal or a family snow mobile track permit issued by Metsähallitus. This permit allows you to drive your snowmobile on all the tracks you can find on the Metsähallitus track charts.
Driving a snowmobile outside of the tracks or driving other motor vehicles on state-owned wilderness areas is generally prohibited. There are exceptions for which you can apply for a separate off-road traffic permit from Metsähallitus. These permit applications are always handled on an individual basis.
Freeride, i.e. snowmobiling in deep snow, is allowed in specific state-owned areas. Information about freeride possibilites is available in metsa.fi (unfortunately only in Finnish).
Off-road traffic news
Eräluvat.fi will be updated in November - save your permits and re-register
The Eräluvat.fi website and the Eräluvat webshop will be merged and renewed on November 19th. As a result of the update, old customer accounts will no longer be available, and you will not be able to view previously purchased permits. Paid permits continue to be valid, but it is best to take special care to save them. After the update, you need to create a new customer account.
Changes in the Eräluvat online store: permits and huts must be paid for immediately
Starting from October 4th, it will no longer be possible to reserve permits or huts in the Eräluvat online store; orders must be paid for immediately. This change is due to the renewal of the Eräluvat service. We are already preparing for the introduction of the new system.
Metsähallitus will start serving its customers online and by telephone in Ivalo
In the future, Metsähallitus will serve its customers in Ivalo by telephone and digital service channels. The Ivalo office’s customer service point will be open for the last time on Friday 18 October.
Maintenance break in the Excursionmap.fi map service 7 Novemebr
Maintenance will be done in the Excursionmap.fi on Tuesday morning 7th of November 2023 from 07:00 to 10:00. During this period, there may be service interruptions in the Excursionmap.fi.
Off-road terrain or road?
Roads constructed by Metsähallitus can be used by vehicles, but driving cross-country is prohibited without a special off-road traffic licence. It is for the driver to recognise the difference between a built road and a cross-country track.
Read more about differences between off-road terrain and road.