The right of public access is a unique Scandinavian concept that gives everyone the right to freely enjoy nature. Hiking, cycling, camping, swimming and wild picking. Everything is possible! The right of public access is valid in Finland, Norway and Sweden, and contributes to the strong connection between people and nature. Of course, there are a few rules to adhere to. In this blog I therefore explain what exactly the right to all rights is and which rules apply.
What does the right of public access mean and what rules apply?
The right of public access, also known as allemansrätten (Sweden), allemannsretten (Norway) and jokamiehenoikeus (Finland), is a Scandinavian right to freely enjoy nature. The right gives people the freedom to hike, ski, cycle, swim, boat, horse ride, hunt forage and camp with a tent. The condition is that no damage is caused to nature and that people and animals are taken into account. The right of public access applies in Finland, Norway and Sweden, and is for everyone. It symbolizes freedom and contributes to the strong connection between people and nature.
But although the right of public access offers a large degree of freedom, it also goes hand in hand with responsibilities. Think of respecting nature, but also adhering to the rules of the right of public access. Because due to the increasing popularity of Scandinavia as a holiday region, there is more and more nuisance. From people who do not clean up their waste and people who get too close to wild animals to wild camping with a camper. The right of public access is a great asset and it would be a shame if it disappears because we do not adhere to the rules and therefore cause nuisance.
Below I therefore explain the rules of the right of public access for various outdoor activities. Basically, you are not allowed to damage nature, you are not allowed to disturb animals and residents and you are not allowed to carry out activities on cultivated land, nature reserves and national parks, or only to a limited extent. Apart from that, there are a number of loose rules or guidelines to take into account for each activity. It is also good to know that this can differ slightly per country and season, although many rules are similar. Therefore, always read carefully in advance and stick to the rules, even if someone else does not.
Hiking, skiing and cross-country skiing
You have the greatest freedom within the right of public access if you simply go for a walk/hike (or ski/cross-country skiing in the winter). In principle, you can walk anywhere in nature, just not on the grounds of a house, which might disturb the residents, and on cultivated land such as meadows, gardens, etc.
Cycling
You’re allowed to cycle in nature and on private roads or paths. However, you are not allowed to cycle on the grounds of a house. This in connection with disturbing residents and possibly destroying the site. The same applies to cultivated lands such as meadows, gardens and other similar areas. You are allowed to cycle on walking paths, although these are intended for people on foot. So you must cycle carefully and always give priority to joggers and walkers. Furthermore, be careful when cycling off-road. Especially with a more active cycling style and tires with a coarse profile such as mountain biking, the ground can easily be damaged. Therefore, do not cycle over sensitive ground such as moss, rocks, meadows, swamps and fens. It’s important to mention that this part of the right of public access does not apply to an electric bicycle. This is considered a motorized vehicle and falls outside the right of public access.
Camping with a tent
Within legal rights you are allowed to set up two to three tents in nature for a night or two. For larger groups you need permission from the landowner. Furthermore, it’s important to pitch your tent in a place that is far away from houses (often a minimum of 150 meters is used as a guideline) and not on cultivated land. Camping is not allowed in certain recreational areas and national parks.
Wild camping with a camper in Finland, Norway and Sweden
I would also like to mention wild camping with a camper. Because although people often think that it’s allowed, the right of public access does not apply to motorized vehicles. So the rules for wild camping do not apply to a car, camper or even an electric bicycle. In fact, wild camping and off-road driving with a motorized vehicle are prohibited. So with regard to camping, the right of public access only applies to camping with a tent.
You can read more about the rules for wild camping with a camper in Scandinavia here.
Swimming, boating and ice skating
The right of public access applies to both land and water. So in principle you can swim, sail and ice skate anywhere, although the same rules apply: do not disturb and do not destroy anything. You are therefore not allowed to swim, sail, moor or ice skate near a house where your can disturb residents. These activities are also not permitted or are permitted to a limited extent in bird reserves, nature reserves and national parks. Furthermore, you must of course adhere to local sailing rules such as speed limits and have the correct papers if necessary (such as a boating license).
Horse riding
Horse riding is mainly done by locals, but it’s still good to mention this outdoor activity because it does fall under the right of public access. The big risk with horse riding is damaging the ground. You are therefore not allowed to ride horses on grounds where there is a risk of damage to the ground. Think of gentle paths often used for walking, but also marked/groomed ski slopes, the grounds of a home and cultivated land such as meadows, gardens and young plantings.
Wild picking
Within the right of public access, it is permitted to pick game. This concerns, for example, berries, mushrooms and flowers. Please keep in mind that you are not allowed to simply pick from the wild on someone’s property (you are not allowed to disturb that person or damage the place) and that there may also be restrictions regarding wild picking in national parks. Wild picking of protected species is prohibited in any case. Please note that some berries and mushrooms can be poisonous. So be sure that you now what you are doing or go out with an experienced guide.
Hunting and fishing
It is good to know that activities such as hunting and fishing fall outside the right of public access. You often need a permit for this. Free fishing is allowed for saltwater fish (in Norway) and at the five large lakes in Sweden: Vänern, Vättern, Mälaren, Hjälmaren and Sjorsjön.
Dogs
Are you taking your dog with you? Then the Scandinavian countries like to see that you always have it on a leash. But if you prefer to let your dog run free, then make sure you have good control of your dog. Because if your dog does chase wild animals or shows tendencies to bite livestock, depending on the country, the rules and the incident, it runs the risk of being shot. The mandatory leashing of dogs applies in any case in national parks (in some national parks dogs are not allowed at all), many nature reserves and areas where reindeer are kept or moved, and in the period between March 1 and August 20 (Sweden) or spring and summer (Norway). This is because many animals then have young and are therefore extra vulnerable.
Making a fire
Do you want to make a campfire or cook over the fire? Then know that there is a ban on open fire in Norway from April 15 to September 15. In Finland and Sweden there appear to be no clear dates for a fire ban, but different rules apply. For example, in Finland you are only allowed to light fires in designated fireplaces and in all countries a strict fire ban applies if warnings are issued, for example in the event of prolonged drought and therefore the increased risk of forest fires. In any case, only build a fire when the conditions are safe. This is the case if it has rained for a long time or you are not in or near a wooded area. Also never build a fire on vegetation such as moss, peatlands or humus-rich forest soils. Fire can not only spread more quickly in these places, but it can also smolder unnoticed in the ground and flare up again later. Making a fire on gravel or sandy soil is therefore best. Or better yet, on special fire pits (which is mandatory in Finland) or with a safe fire stove such as this Solo Stove. You may use loose branches and twigs on the ground to start the fire. It’s not allowed to break branches, cut off bark or use fallen trees to start a fire. Please note that during a fire ban or stringent fire bans, there is a strict ban on burning due to a high risk of forest fires. In any case, never leave the fire unattended, make sure that there is always water or a fire extinguisher nearby so that you can intervene quickly if necessary and always wait a while after extinguishing the fire to ensure that it has really gone out.
- In Norway there is a ban on open fire between April 15 and September 15, although it is sometimes allowed in places where the risk of fire is less, such as by the sea or approved places where you can make a campfire
- In Finland you may only make a fire in designated fire places
- Check local warnings about fire bans due to risk of forest fires:
Finland: https://www.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/varoitukset
Norway: https://www.yr.no/en
Sweden: https://www.krisinformation.se/detta-kan-handa/gras–och-skogsbrand/eldningsforbud
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