Hmmm.. I am afraid I have to correct you a little bit. The swedish Allemansratten is like you say not a law as such, but if you breatch the code you are likely to be prosecuted, but then for neglect, damage to private or corporate property or theft.
Not to mention, if you breatch the code, there is going to be harser legislations and codes enforced, so please follow the code. We are quite pleased to have it and proude over that it has mediveal origns and still works. Also, even if the code says that you are aloud to do such and such, it is always epriciated by the landowner if you ask him/her if you are going to stay for long in one place or do something for a longer time in one place (I am partly speaking as one of them...)
Anyhow, the code is most easly broken down in what you are aloud to do and what you are not.
You are aloud to:
- Pass another mans land or forrest without hinderence
- Collect berries and eatable fungus on another mans land
- Collect dead wood (the criteria is that the wood shall be lying on the ground)
- Camp on another mans land or forrest for 24 hours without permission
- Swim and bade in another mans lake
- Collect water in streams
You are not aloude to:
- Pass farmers fields with crops
- Cut down trees or cause damage to another mans forrest or land
- Camp on what is discribed as "tomtmark" in swedish legilsation, which most easily is decribed as another mans back yard (the diffrenece between the two can be hard do distinguse, but a good rule is that if you can see houses in your emidate surrounding, you are likely to be on someones "tomtmark"). You are also not aloud to pass another mans "tomtmark"
- Fish in another mans lake, stream or pond
- Hunt in antoher mans forrest
There is also a couple of "please respect this":
- A fence should always be respected and if you are passing one, for instance through a gate, please close after you
- If you purcase a fishing license you are aloud to fish. This can usually be purcased at tourist offices or at local councils. Look for the sign "Fiskekort". The tourist office can also guide you to places where fishing is free. Do remeber that if you are fishing on in another mans lake, the landowner is entiteled to take you catch and prosecute you if he discovers you. Most problems relating to this is very easly solved: SPEAK to the landowner before and there should normaly be no problems, licenses or fees. Harpooning is trictly prohibited
- Hunting is only aloud by the landowner and all animals have there special season when they are aloud to be hunted. You also need a license for this, but if you are hunting with the landowner (how have to have a special license for weapons and hunting him self) you do not need one of your own. The use of snares, bowes and arrows are strictly prohibited and concidered illegal weapons and a danger to wild life and people. If caucht, you will face prison.
- You are aloud to light fires, but between may and october there isa national fire prohibition. Respect that and use already fixed fire places.
- If you are in the mountains, respect the Sami- community and large heards of reindeers. It takes several months to gather a reindeer herd, but only an hour to scatter them...
Apart from this, you can walk aroudn freely and collect in terms of plants and wood what you need. If uncertain, try to talk to the landowner, we are usualy not hard to deal with
May I also ask where you are going in sweden? I might be able to provide som info and contacts if requested.
