The right of public access provides unique opportunities for us to be out and enjoy nature. It is based on the basic rule "do not disturb, do not destroy". The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has a brochure about the Right of Public Access. You can order or download it here:
See the wild without disturbing
Keep away from the animals you meet. The canoe goes quietly and it is easy to get too close to nesting birds on islands and along beaches.
- Take extra care during spring and summer when the birds are on eggs or have babies. If the parents are intimidated from the nest or their family is split up, the chicks may find it difficult to cope. If birds or other animals occur nervously, you are too close. Throated divers that often nest on islands are particularly susceptible to disturbances. If it swims around outside the beach, it probably has a nearby location. Avoid walking or camping near the nesting sites of birds. The osprey often has the nest at the top of a pine tree by the beach or on any islet. If the bird "hangs" high in the air above the nest, you are too close. Beware birds in front of the canoe, stop and let them escape. If you are many in a group, it is best to gather and pass the birds as quickly as possible.
- To prevent the spread of crayfish plague, it is important that canoe and other equipment dry thoroughly before moving from one water to another.
Protected areas
Some places with particularly sensitive bird life are protected as bird conservation areas. It is forbidden to go ashore and to stay nearby. In other places, the right of public access may be restricted by special rules, for example in the area of beach protection or in National parks and nature reserves. In such areas it may, for example, be forbidden to make a fire or a tent.
Going ashore and camping
- Stay in the first place at arranged camp sites where there is a fireplace, garbage bin and dry toilet. Otherwise, choose a place to avoid disturbing those who live nearby.
- If you want to stay for several days at a place it is advisable to ask the landowner. Larger groups and commercial groups should always ask for permission.
- Leave the campsite without a trace. Bring all the rubbish. Do not place garbage bags beside overcrowded garbage. Then the animals can injure themselves or spread around the debris.
- Use the toilets of the campsite. Otherwise dig a pit and cover thoroughly. Therefore, take a small shovel in the canoe. Animals like badgers and magpies can pull around toilet paper, then the campsite can look disastrous even if it was nice when you left it.
Fire and safety
The campfire gives an extra dimension to outdoor recreation, but they also create concerns among landowners and is a serious risk factor. Forest for large values burns down every year due to carelessness with campfires. Keep in mind:
- During the summer, there is often a ban on fires. Then the risk of a forest fire is great, and you must not make up fire even in the fireplaces of camp sites. The tourist office and the canoe rental company will tell you if there is a ban on fires. There may be a risk of fire even otherwise. Bring a small camping stove, this is always allowed to be used.
- If you want to make a fire, choose a good place with rocky or gravelly land with no vegetation next to it. Make sure you have water to extinguish with. Watch out with wind that can bring sparks across the forest. Let the fire burn out and extinguish the glow thoroughly with water.
- Do not fire directly on the mountain, it bursts apart!
- Do not put tinfoil or other incombustible in the fire, it will remain like rubbish.
- Leave no traces of fire in the form of a fireplace or similar.
- Branches, twigs and pinecones on the ground, you get to pick as fuel. But you must not take the bark or otherwise damage the growing tree.
Current information about fire hazards and fires
The MSB (Swedish Civil Contingencies agency) has made App "Brandrisk ute". There you can find information about the situation right now and also general advice on fires. Download it here
The same page also publishes 6-day forecasts for fire risk. These forecasts can, for natural reasons, change quickly, for example in rain, and can therefore be read together with the weather forecast when you want to see what can be expected forward.
What to consider when you are on land
- If you have to carry or pull the canoe between streams, do not pass over the plot or fields.
- If you pass through gates, remember to close them after you.
- Should you use individual roads to drive down the canoe to the water so watch if there are signs that forbid car riding.
- If you want to set up your car or caravan overnight on an individual road, you need to ask the landowner.
- In national parks, nature reserves, Natura 2000 area or other protected areas, special rules apply. Sometimes the right to roam is limited, sometimes extended. Information is available at entrances to parks etc.