The right of public access in the mountains

Walking and skiing

You may walk and ski almost everywhere, as long as you do not disturb or damage the ground and vegetation. The exception is gardens and the area closest to someone's home, where the people who live there should be able to feel undisturbed. There is no fixed minimum distance: what matters is the risk of disturbing.

In winter, walkers should choose another route than the groomed ski tracks. On the ice you are largely free to get around, but show consideration for the people living nearby.

Camping

The right of public access includes camping with a few tents, such as two or three, for the odd night. One or two nights is a good rule of thumb. In the mountains the agency says you should not stay longer than the odd night in the same place.

• Choose hard-wearing ground and keep your distance from trails, cabins and watercourses.
• A large group with many tents needs the landowner's permission.
• In national parks and nature reserves camping can be banned or only allowed in certain places. The signs in the area show the rules.

Fires

The right of public access does not give you an automatic right to make a fire. Use a permanent fireplace, or gravel or sand as a base, and put it out completely before you leave. In the mountains a camping stove is the first choice.

You may use sticks, branches and cones lying on the ground. You may not cut down trees or take bark and branches from living trees. When it is dry the county administrative board or the municipality can ban fires, and it is your responsibility to find out what applies.

Your dog

Between 1 March and 20 August your dog must not run loose, which in practice means a lead. In all national parks dogs must always be on a lead, and the same goes for reindeer grazing land.

Reindeer

Reindeer herding is a Sámi livelihood protected by the Swedish constitution, and it is forbidden to frighten, disturb or drive reindeer away. Give them plenty of room: if the herd moves away, you have come too close. Take extra care from April to June, when the reindeer have calves.

Berries, mushrooms and litter

You may pick wild berries, mushrooms and flowers that are not protected. Take all your litter with you down from the mountain. A good rule of thumb: leave the place as you would like to find it.