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Fifty Sense: Common Sense Ideas for Thriving after 50
Fifty Sense: Common Sense Ideas for Thriving after 50

Hiking: Hiking in Sweden

Everyman's Right in Sweden (Allemansrätt)

Sweden has a national policy of Everyman's right which means that everybody has the right to tread almost everywhere in the Swedish countryside. The main rule of Everyman's right is that one should be considerate of nature and show respect to people and animals. One may walk freely, cycle or ride a horse in the forest and fields.

One may walk, jog, cycle, ride a horse, or ski on other people's property as long as you don't harm the crops or disturb the animals.

One may cross over the fenced-in fields, but remember to close the gates so the animals don't get loose.

One may not tread on private gardens or property close to private homes even though the area is not fenced-in. Once in a while Everyman's Right is misunderstood by people who may go into private gardens and pluck flowers in the flowerbeds, and that is considered trespassing!

One may not ride a horse on the hiking trails, exercise trails or on sensitive fields.

If one cycles beyond the paths, one should be careful not to harm the plants or crops.

One may camp overnight in the forest or on the fields which others own

One may camp with one tent for one night in the forest or on un-cultivated ground before heading off the next day. There should be a considerable distance to the nearest house. In densely populated areas you should always ask the property owner for permission. If one has a trailer or motorhome, one should pay extra consideration.

One may light a campfire if there is no risk for forest fires.

One may gather small twigs and light a campfire, but never if there is a risk for forest fires. One should put out the fire completely before leaving the area. If there is dry weather and it hasn't rained in a while it is often forbidden to start a fire. One may not light a fire directly on boulders or cliffs. For more information contact the local campgrounds or tourist bureaus.

One may pluck wild berries, mushrooms or flowers which are not protected or endangered.

The protected species varies from county to county, but as a rule all orchids are protected.

One may not cut down trees, take branches, twigs, bark, acorns, beechnuts, nuts or resin from living trees.

One may sail on the ocean, lakes or rivers and bank almost everywhere.

One may go on land, tie your boat temporarily and bath almost everywhere which is not private property or a protected area for birds and seals.

One may tie your boat on other's docks if one does not disturb the owner, and if there is not a special rule forbidding it. If one uses a motorboat, one should pay extra consideration.

One can only use water-scooters in areas which that County has deemed allowable. Contact the County office bureau for more information.

Garbage may not be left behind in nature.

One may not throw garbage in nature. Having stayed in a tent or eaten lunch in nature, one should always take the garbage with them. It is not allowed to bury it.

One may not set a garbage bag beside a full garbage can. Glass, cans and plastic can be very harmful for wild animals which are searching for food.

One may not drive a car, motorcycle or scooter on any ground other than roads or paths. Fishing and hunting is allowed only with a permit.

One may fish freely along the coast of southern Sweden, yet there may exist local rules. -One may only fish in lakes and waterways if one has permission in the form of a fishing permit. Contact the local tourist bureau for more information on fishing permits. -One may not hurt or move eggs, or save, catch or kill animals. According to the law, all wild animals, mammals, snakes and amphibians are protected.

There is controlled hunting of animal species. Hunting is not included in Everyman's right.

From October until December there is Moose hunting season in Sk�ne and Sm�land in southern Sweden. One should be careful when one walks through the forest at this time. Every year there are around 100,000 moose killed in Sweden- that's about a quarter of the moose population.

There are special rules for passing through and staying in national parks and nature reserves. The rules vary from area to area.

Translated from Danish into English from the site: http://www.sydsverige.dk/?pageID=338

For more information in English: http://www2.allemansratten.se/templates/firstPage.asp?id=2058

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