The Right of Public Access
The Scandinavian rule of "Allemansrätt"/Right of Public Access provides everyone with the right of access to privately owned land (provided they abide by the rules), and thus to the pleasures of the forests and countryside from one end of Sweden to the other.
However, this is a right that also brings responsibilities. If the right of public access is to work, we all need to be responsible for our conduct when we are out in nature, and to take care not to disturb and to damage it. Therefore, do not disturb animals or other people with whom you share a given area of nature, and do not damage the environment. Do not damage bushes, cut down trees or leave garbage behind you. Remember that the right of public access lets you walk around on other people’s property, but that does not involve their back garden. Therefore, do not walk into the immediate surroundings of houses and you will be fine. For a thorough run through of the public right of access, see the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.
