Number and Size of Finland´s Protected Areas Managed by Metsähallitus

The table shows the size and number of statutory nature reserves, wilderness areas, national hiking areas, recreational forests and areas reserved for conservation by Government decision. All areas are on state-owned lands and waters and managed by Metsähallitus, Parks & Wildlife Finland.

January 1, 2023

Area typeNumber of areasSize of areas (sq. km)
National parks4110,146
Strict nature reserves191,540
Mire reserves1634,876
Herb-rich forest reserves4511
Old-growth forest reserves7480
Seal reserves7188
Other state-owned nature reserves7363,984
Privately-owned nature reserves156101
Protected areas established by Metsähallitus63
STATUTORY NATURE RESERVES (total)1,24720,929
Areas reserved for protection in nature conservation programmes1,2394,645
Protected forests329548
Other protected sites1,3973,039
Wilderness areas1214,893
National hiking areas5243
Other recreational areas6914
Other areas3895
Other areas together3,02624,375
ALL AREAS4,27345,306

The statutory nature reserves comprise of 18,507 km² land (88,4 %) and 2,423 km² (11,6 %) of waters.