The Swedish Right of Public Access
Thanks to the Right of Public Access, we can spend time outdoors almost anywhere in the Swedish countryside. It is one of Europe’s most extensive and deeply rooted traditions of public access to nature, but that freedom comes with responsibilities. Its guiding principle is “Do not disturb – do not destroy.”
What does the Right of Public Access mean?
The Right of Public Access in Sweden gives us the freedom to roam and enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, paddling, camping, and picking wild berries and mushrooms, provided that we respect nature and do not disturb wildlife, landowners, or other people.
The Right of Public Access is not a law in itself. It is recognised in Sweden’s constitution and framed by laws and regulations that set limits on what is permitted. Everyone who spends time in Swedish nature shares responsibility for respecting both the freedoms it provides and the obligations that come with them.
Right of Public Access principles:
What you can do
The Right of Public Access allows you to:
- Hike, cycle, paddle, and ski across most uncultivated land, including land owned by someone else.
- Pick wild berries, mushrooms, and flowers, provided that the species are not protected.
- Camp with a small number of tents for a night or two, provided that you stay well away from homes and do not cause damage or disturbance.
- Swim, paddle, and temporarily moor a boat away from homes and private gardens.
Fishing is governed by separate rules and is not included in the Right of Public Access. A fishing licence or other permission may be required.
What you cannot do
The Right of Public Access does not allow you to:
- Enter the private area immediately surrounding someone’s home or holiday home.
- Walk, cycle, or ski across cultivated land if doing so could damage crops.
- Camp close to a home, camp in the same place for an extended period, or camp in a large group without the landowner’s permission.
- Disturb or harm wildlife, damage trees, crops, or other vegetation, or pick protected plant species.
- Moor a boat or go ashore within the private area surrounding a home.
Where access may be restricted
The Right of Public Access applies throughout much of Sweden, but access may be restricted in certain places:
- Around homes: The private area surrounding a home or holiday home is not covered by the Right of Public Access, whether or not it is fenced.
- On cultivated land: You must not enter fields or other cultivated areas if you risk damaging crops.
- In protected areas: National parks, nature reserves, and other protected areas may have specific rules governing activities such as camping, lighting fires, cycling, or bringing dogs.
- On golf courses and other managed facilities: Access may be restricted, particularly on greens, tees, and areas where play or other activities are in progress.
- In prohibited or hazardous areas: Access may be forbidden at military sites, mines, industrial facilities, construction sites, and other areas closed for safety or security reasons.
Always follow local signs and regulations.
Protected areas
National parks, nature reserves, and other protected areas have specific rules designed to protect their natural and cultural heritage. These rules vary from place to place and may apply to landowners as well as visitors. Details are usually displayed on information boards at or near the entrance and can also be found on the relevant County Administrative Board or municipality website.
Read more: the Right of Public Access in protected areas
The Right of Public Access – Guidelines for different activities
Hiking and running
You can walk and run almost anywhere in nature, provided that you show care and consideration.
- Keep a respectful distance from homes and do not enter private gardens or the private area immediately surrounding a home.
- Avoid fields with growing crops, plant nurseries, and newly planted forests, where plants and young trees may be easily damaged.
- You may generally cross a golf course when play is not in progress, but keep to paths and rough areas, avoid greens and tees, and follow any signs or barriers.
Cycling
You can both cycle off road and on private roads but be aware of the following.
- You are not allowed to cycle over someone else’s property, or planted areas.
- Avoid cycling on paths with soft surfaces in spring and autumn, when the ground is wet.
- Avoid cycling over rock surfaces, forest floors with ground lichen and other fragile areas such as meadows.
Paddling, swimming and boating
The Right of Public Access on land and in water.
- A shoreline protection code applies to coastal areas, all lakes and waterways in Sweden.
- You can disembark, swim, cast anchor and moor temporarily by shores that are not part of someone’s garden or are bird protected areas.
- The landowner give permission to moor for a longer period.
Picking flowers, berries and mushrooms
You are welcome to pick wild flowers, berries and mushrooms, but not if they are protected species.
- You must not cut down or damage in any other way growing trees or larger bushes.
- Certain plant species are protected and you are not allowed to pick them at all. Check what applies for each respective plant.
Wild camping
You are allowed to wild camp for a few nights, but make sure you don’t disturb the landowner or cause any damage to the surroundings.
- You are not allowed to wild camp near dwellings or on pastures in use.
- Certain municipalities have specific regulations about camping in parks, sports grounds and recreation areas. It is your responsibility to check what applies.
Lighting fires
Lighting campfires is a cosy activity if it’s done in the correct way.
- Choose a place for the fire where there is no risk of it spreading or damaging the ground. You are not allowed to light fires directly on bare rocks.
- The lighting of fires can be prohibited during dry weather. Keep an eye on the Länsstyrelsen Västra Götaland (County Administrative Board) or Räddningstjänsten Väst (Fire Service) websites.
Dogs outdoors
Bear this in mind when you are outdoors with your dog.
- Supervise your dog all year round to make sure it does not chase wild or farm animals.
- From 1 March to 20 August you must keep your dog on a lead to protect breeding mammals and birds.
- Dogs must be kept on leads at all times in Sweden’s National Parks.
Fishing
Fishing isn’t covered by the Right of Public Access (neither is hunting).
- You can fish freely with a rod along the sea coast, but in most lakes you will need to buy a fishing licence from the person with fishing rights. You are responsible for finding out what applies.
- Recreational fishers are not allowed to sell their catch.
Horse riding
Horse riders need to show extra consideration when riding on others’ land.
- You are not allowed to ride through people’s gardens or in areas where the ground is at risk of being damaged.
- You are allowed to ride on private roads as long as the road does not become damaged.
- Horse riding may be prohibited on some marked exercise tracks and skiing tracks.
Skiing
More or less the same rules as hiking apply to skiing, with some additions.
- You are allowed to walk or ski over fields that are frozen hard or covered with snow.
- Golf courses can also suffer damage during winter so cordoned off areas must be respected.
- Charges for skiing can be applicable in some places.
Climbing
Some parts of the climb require you to show extra consideration towards animals and the environment.
- Many outdoor rock climbing spots are home to vulnerable and rare animal and plant species. Make sure you know the best way to protect the environment.
- Avoid ledges and crevices where birds nest in the spring.
You can read more about the Right of Public Access on the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency’s website.