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.

December 31, 2023

Area typeNumber of areasSize of areas (sq. km)
National parks4110,176
Strict nature reserves191,540
Mire reserves1624,921
Herb-rich forest reserves4511
Old-growth forest reserves7377
Seal reserves7188
Other state-owned nature reserves7374,027
Privately-owned nature reserves176102
Protected areas established by Metsähallitus63
STATUTORY NATURE RESERVES (total)1,26621,044
Areas reserved for protection in nature conservation programmes1,3604,883
Protected forests316533
Other protected sites1,5503,065
Wilderness areas1214,893
National hiking areas5243
Other recreational areas7914
Other areas3694
Other areas together3,28624,625
ALL AREAS4,55245,669

The statutory nature reserves comprise of 18,620 km² land (88,5 %) and 2,425 km² (11,5 %) of waters.

Ca. 15 per cent of Finland´s area is protected by the Nature Conservation Act or the Wilderness Act.

More information

Statistics Finland: Protected and wilderness areas 1 January 2024 (also including privately-owned nature reserves and nature reserves on Åland (tilastokeskus.fi)