The right to roam

At the same time, the right to roam requires us to take care of nature and leave it as we found it, so that everyone can enjoy it. Also future generations. This useful article has been prepared by NordNorsk Reiseliv, in collaboration with lawyer Marianne Reusch.

Is it really the case that we are allowed to do what we want, wherever we want in Northern Norway? Marianne Reusch is Norway's leading lawyer in the field. She says that the tourism players have sometimes played a lot on the fact that you are allowed to go wherever you want, and toned down the responsibility that comes with it and the limitations that apply. Then we take on the challenge of trying to explain this a little more closely.

The right to roam applies in nature

Where are we allowed to move freely? We are not allowed to move freely in densely populated and urban areas, private residential plots and land used for agriculture ("inland"). Golf courses, industrial areas such as sand roofs, etc., cemeteries and other areas set aside for a special purpose also require us to comply with the safety and order rules that apply there.

The right to roam, on the other hand, applies out in nature, along the shoreline, in the forest and on bare mountains, also on private land. There is usually no human activity here, except perhaps goats, sheep and reindeer on pasture. This area, which makes up the vast majority of Northern Norway, is available to most people for recreation. Traffic in nature is regulated by the Outdoor Recreation Act of 1957, and requires respect for farmers, landowners and nature itself.

Who are the landowners?

In Nordland and Troms, the coastal areas up to the mountain peaks often belong to a large number of private landowners, usually farmers along the shoreline or in the valley floor. One fishing lake or one hiking trail can therefore affect many landowners.

In the hinterland of these two counties, Statsskog is a major landowner.

You can go on foot almost everywhere

In principle, you can go on foot wherever you want in the outback. Marked trails are always problem-free, but untouched forests, pastures, mountainous terrain and shorelines are usually also accessible. Sheep and reindeer on open pastures should of course not be disturbed. Fences in outlying areas can sometimes be annoying, but they are there because of the grazing animals and should not be destroyed. You always close a gate behind you!

You can camp in the same place for a maximum of two days

When you camp in nature and spend the night, you should leave the area as you found it. This means that you should take all your rubbish with you and leave nothing but "a thank you and nothing", as the scouts say. You can stay in a tent for up to two nights in the same place, before the camp is to be broken and cleared. It is also okay to stay up to a week in a tent deep in the mountains, if this is in very remote areas with little traffic. The camp should not be a nuisance to permanent residents, so you must camp at a good distance, at least 150 meters, from the nearest house. You cannot camp in shelters, on playgrounds, at large excursion sites and other areas that are obviously to be used by the general public.

Do not light a fire out in the field, and do not cycle in the forest

Cycling and horseback riding in uncultivated areas are fine on paths, but are not allowed outside the paths below the tree line. The mountain bikes we increasingly see in the outback must therefore stay on the paths or above the tree line, unless you get permission from the landowner. It is strictly forbidden to light fires between April 15 and September 15, due to the forest fire risk. A fire at the water's edge is still okay if it is obvious that the flames are far from flammable material.

Motorized traffic is prohibited

Here Marianne is categorical; Motorised traffic for private individuals in uncultivated areas, such as quad bikes or snowmobiles, is not permitted anywhere. The exception is when permission has been obtained from the landowner, when the municipality has given a private company permission to drive groups or on special snowmobile trails.

Do not pick rare orchids, and be careful with the cloudberry

You are allowed to pick mushrooms, berries and flowers. The big exception in the north is the cloudberries; Here there are many places private marshes where the cloudberries are a claimed source of income for the landowner. Often these are marked with signs. However, it is always good to eat straight from the cloudberry plant. Protected plant species are not allowed to be picked or brought to plant in your own garden. Special restrictions apply to protected areas, such as landscape protected areas, nature reserves and seabird sanctuaries.

Hunting and fishing are not included in the right to roam

Hunting and inland fishing are not included in the right of public access. The hunting rights belong to the landowners, and are usually difficult to get an overview of. There can be many landowners around a fishing lake, but here the problem can often be solved by asking the nearest gas station or campsite "do you know if fishing licenses are sold for this lake?". Surprisingly often, they can arrange it for you! Children under 16 can fish without a fishing license in non-salmon-bearing watercourses and lakes if they use regular fishing rods for part of the year. Fishing in saltwater is free for everyone, provided you use regular fishing rods ("hand-held gear"). However, you must take into account the minimum size of the fish, and not fish for protected species.

There is mostly free movement on water

In principle, the sea, lakes and rivers have free movement. The exception is in salmon-bearing rivers, where there is a traffic ban for parts of the summer. You must take the same considerations as on land, you cannot go ashore where it is a nuisance to the locals, and you cannot go ashore in nature reserves during the breeding season. This is often signposted, and also often appears on maps. You must also keep at least 20 meters distance from fish farms, and you can only fish at least 100 meters outside.

Is there a way, or is there not a road?

In some places in Northern Norway there are private roads. You can drive on them if the landowner allows it. As a rule, the landowner will put up a prohibitory sign if he does not do so. Sometimes you can be in doubt whether it is a road or a path, and then you sum it up like this: "If you are in doubt whether it is a road, then it is not a road". And on trails you are not allowed to drive!

Motorhome parking is valid for up to two nights

If there is no sign for parking, motorhomes can park wherever they want on exits along public roads. However, they can only be left for up to 2 nights. Motorhomes can also stop along a private road without a signposted parking ban, but they are not allowed to leave the road and drive into the terrain. Emptying toilets can never take place out in nature, it must take place at emptying stations. They can be found, for example, at campsites. Public traffic regulation of course also applies to motorhomes.

You travel in northern Norwegian nature at your own risk

With freedom comes responsibility. If you slip on a rock and break your foot, you cannot sue the landowner for poor facilitation. Marked trails are also walked at your own risk, signs that have fallen down or been turned over by rascals do not form the basis for legal action. We simply go out into nature at our own risk, and we must assess our own fitness.

Norwegian law applies – regardless of

An idea has arisen that the right to roam applies without exception, but this is not the case. Other sections of Norwegian law take precedence over the right of public access. You cannot eat mushrooms even if you have harvested them yourself, it is still a forbidden, narcotic. The right to roam also does not allow you to go ashore on a protected bird cliff during the breeding season or pick protected flowers. Local signage is also above the right of public access. The right to roam does not exempt from following Norwegian law.

Copyright text: NordNorsk Reiseliv AS