Page 25 iGap Travel Guide 2022
P. 25
iGap Travel Guide | Europe
25
What do the words
Allemansrätten Allemannsrett
,
and
Jokamiehenoikeus
have in common other
than being Scandinavian and semi-unpronounceable? They’re Swedish, Norwegian, and Finnish
for “Every Man’s Right” – a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages, which, since the Outdoor
Recreation Act of 1957, allows visitors the legal right to roam and camp whenever and wherever
they please. In budget travellers’ terms, this essentially means free accommodation in three of
Europe’s most naturally beautiful countries for its world-class architecture and fairy-tale castles.
Oslo consistently ranks amongst the priciest cities in the world. A hostel in Stockholm will set you back
around twice the price of a dorm bed in Florence or Madrid. Why not cut the costs and camp nearby and
commute? Fall asleep to the howling of wolves and wake up to rustling trees, for a quick stand-up wash
in a sparkling blue fjord.
The rules may vary slightly from country to country, but wild camping offers a taste of adventure that
organised campsites can’t seem to compete with – and a lightness on the wallet you’ll seldom see
elsewhere in Scandinavia. If you’re travelling around the region on a tight budget,
Allemansrätten
will
become your new best friend.
OSLO CONSISTENTLY
RANKS AMONGST
THE PRICIEST CITIES
IN THE WORLD.
THE GROUND RULES
The essence of
Allemansrätten
can be summed up in
one simple phrase: “Do not disturb, do not destroy”.
In other words, you can pretty much do as you
please, so long as you wipe clean the traces of your
stay, and don’t take liberties with your newfound
freedom. So, a few tents pitched by a lake for one
night and a cheeky spot of swimming and picnicking
is perfectly fine, but wild campers having a week-
long rave and littering on a local farmer’s land is a
no-go. Common sense is the key here.
The standard rule is to camp at least 100 metres
away from any roads, and out of sight of any
property. If you have a feeling you might be
trespassing on someone else’s land, ask around
nearby, find the owner and plead for their
permission. Typically, the Swedes, Norwegians and
Finns want us all to be at one with nature – even
more than William Wordsworth did, so it’s highly
unlikely they’ll turn you down.
If you and your fellow travellers are winding your
way around Norway by car or motorhome, parking
in laybys is allowed for 24 hours, or until the next
weekday on weekends and public holidays. The
same goes for Sweden and Finland, but you should
never drive off-road, and you should always camp
away from your vehicle.
Skiing, cycling and ice skating (on frozen lakes in
winter) are all allowed in Sweden. As is fishing, on
large lakes like Hjälmaren, Mälaren and Storsjön, but
dip your rod in a small pond and you could be in big
trouble with the Swedish police. Similarly, lighting
a camp fire in Finland is an absolute no-no, but do
it safely in Sweden and you’ll receive nothing but
warm smiles from native passers-by.
A breakdown of each countries individual rules
and regulations can easily be found online, but the
basic principles are always the same: don’t litter,
don’t outstay your welcome, ask permission if
you’re unsure, and don’t camp in sight of roads or
buildings. Tourist offices dotted around the region’s
roads and nature trails offer a wealth of last-minute
advice for weary travellers.
25
What do the words
Allemansrätten Allemannsrett
,
and
Jokamiehenoikeus
have in common other
than being Scandinavian and semi-unpronounceable? They’re Swedish, Norwegian, and Finnish
for “Every Man’s Right” – a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages, which, since the Outdoor
Recreation Act of 1957, allows visitors the legal right to roam and camp whenever and wherever
they please. In budget travellers’ terms, this essentially means free accommodation in three of
Europe’s most naturally beautiful countries for its world-class architecture and fairy-tale castles.
Oslo consistently ranks amongst the priciest cities in the world. A hostel in Stockholm will set you back
around twice the price of a dorm bed in Florence or Madrid. Why not cut the costs and camp nearby and
commute? Fall asleep to the howling of wolves and wake up to rustling trees, for a quick stand-up wash
in a sparkling blue fjord.
The rules may vary slightly from country to country, but wild camping offers a taste of adventure that
organised campsites can’t seem to compete with – and a lightness on the wallet you’ll seldom see
elsewhere in Scandinavia. If you’re travelling around the region on a tight budget,
Allemansrätten
will
become your new best friend.
OSLO CONSISTENTLY
RANKS AMONGST
THE PRICIEST CITIES
IN THE WORLD.
THE GROUND RULES
The essence of
Allemansrätten
can be summed up in
one simple phrase: “Do not disturb, do not destroy”.
In other words, you can pretty much do as you
please, so long as you wipe clean the traces of your
stay, and don’t take liberties with your newfound
freedom. So, a few tents pitched by a lake for one
night and a cheeky spot of swimming and picnicking
is perfectly fine, but wild campers having a week-
long rave and littering on a local farmer’s land is a
no-go. Common sense is the key here.
The standard rule is to camp at least 100 metres
away from any roads, and out of sight of any
property. If you have a feeling you might be
trespassing on someone else’s land, ask around
nearby, find the owner and plead for their
permission. Typically, the Swedes, Norwegians and
Finns want us all to be at one with nature – even
more than William Wordsworth did, so it’s highly
unlikely they’ll turn you down.
If you and your fellow travellers are winding your
way around Norway by car or motorhome, parking
in laybys is allowed for 24 hours, or until the next
weekday on weekends and public holidays. The
same goes for Sweden and Finland, but you should
never drive off-road, and you should always camp
away from your vehicle.
Skiing, cycling and ice skating (on frozen lakes in
winter) are all allowed in Sweden. As is fishing, on
large lakes like Hjälmaren, Mälaren and Storsjön, but
dip your rod in a small pond and you could be in big
trouble with the Swedish police. Similarly, lighting
a camp fire in Finland is an absolute no-no, but do
it safely in Sweden and you’ll receive nothing but
warm smiles from native passers-by.
A breakdown of each countries individual rules
and regulations can easily be found online, but the
basic principles are always the same: don’t litter,
don’t outstay your welcome, ask permission if
you’re unsure, and don’t camp in sight of roads or
buildings. Tourist offices dotted around the region’s
roads and nature trails offer a wealth of last-minute
advice for weary travellers.
