The "Allemansrätt"

The "Allemansrätt"

Welcome to the land of the free!
Sweden is the country where you can do exactly as you like. No, not in all respects, mind you, but where the right of common access is concerned, we're unique in the world.

Sweden is in the fortunate position of having a law encouraging free access to the countryside, the right of common access. The Swedish word "allemansrätt", a very convenient one at that, means exactly that: the legal right of access to private land in open country.

It gives you the right to move around freely everywhere in the countryside and you may enter anybody's land for a swim or to pick berries and mushrooms. You may spend one night in your tent where you wish.

This right in turn obliges the people enjoying it to respect nature and protect plant and animal life from destructive human intervention. Particular attention is paid to the environment when sporting competitions are held or when people exercise themselves or with friends.

Hike as you like

The BASE region provides excellent opportunities to enjoy outdoor life. The differentiated landscape, with mountains and plains and deep forests (the region is in fact the most densely forested area in Sweden) will satisfy all your needs of a wildlife experience.

Walk The Gästrike trail, an organised hiking trail which strectches 35 kilometres through the scenic landscape, or enjoy the countless small rivers and lakes from a canoe or a sailing boat. The fishing fan will find all kinds of freshwater fish as well as adventurous salmon fishing on the Baltic coast.

Outdoor life is a round-the-year occupation. The light summer nights will invite you to stay up until morning and the glittering snow will give you a thrilling experience on a cold, moon-lit winter night.

Animal life

The region's animal life mirrors Sweden's reputation as one of the last wildernesses in Europe. You may enjoy the sight of a stately elk, the king of the Swedish forest as you move along. And although the occasional bear, wolf or lynx does in fact appear now and then in populated areas you shouldn't worry, they are far more afraid of people than we are of them and will go to great lengths to avoid us!

Information partly based on material distributed by the Swedish Institute