What does the right of public access entail in Sälenfjällen?

The right of public access in the mountains gives you a freedom that is virtually unique in the world: you are free to walk, cycle, ride a horse, camp, swim and forage in the countryside, even on land you do not own. But this freedom comes with a responsibility that isn’t always obvious to those who rarely visit the mountains, and in protected areas there are also special rules that apply. This guide explains what is actually permitted around Sälen, where the boundaries lie and where you can find the correct information. If you’re planning to stay in the countryside for a week, we offer holiday cottages to let in the mountains with nature right on your doorstep.

An important clarification: this article is about what you are allowed to do. If, on the other hand, you would like to know which areas are protected and why, this is explained in our guide on how well nature is protected in Sälenfjällen. And remember that regulations change – always check the latest information with the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and the County Administrative Board in Dalarna before you set off.

Short answer: the right of public access in the mountains offers great freedom and clear responsibilities

The right of public access is often summarised in three words: do not disturb, do not damage. It is not a law but a customary right framed by several laws, and it gives you the right to spend time in the countryside as long as you do not damage the land or vegetation, do not disturb landowners or wildlife, and do not trespass on anyone’s property. Around residential properties there is a privacy zone where you are not permitted to enter – exactly how large this zone is depends on the circumstances, but the principle is that the occupants of the house should be able to live undisturbed. On cultivated land, in planted areas and on private property, the right of public access does not apply at all. In mountain environments, it is rarely privacy that is the problem, but rather wear and tear: the same path, the same campfire site and the same view are used by thousands of people every season.

Camping and spending the night in the great outdoors

You are allowed to camp in the countryside under the right of public access, but only temporarily – the guideline is one day in the same spot. If you wish to stay longer, you must ask the landowner’s permission. Your tent must be pitched on suitable ground, not near residential buildings and not on fenced-in pastureland. If you are a larger group or have several tents, the need for the landowner’s permission becomes more important, as the wear and tear involved is greater. In nature reserves and national parks, camping may be restricted to designated areas or prohibited altogether, and in some areas special regulations apply during sensitive periods. The basic rule is to leave the site exactly as you found it: no tracks, no litter, no trampled vegetation. The vegetation in the mountain heathland grows slowly, and a tent footprint can remain visible for several seasons.

Fires and barbecues – when they are allowed and when they are not

You may light a fire in the countryside provided it can be done without risk of fire, but never directly on rocky outcrops or on ground covered with peat and moss, as these can smoulder beneath the surface and cause the fire to spread long afterwards. Use designated fire pits wherever possible. Burn fallen twigs and branches – breaking branches from living trees is not permitted, and in mountain environments everything grows slowly. Most importantly of all: fire bans are introduced regularly, and they change from day to day during dry periods. A ban that wasn’t in force when you packed your bags may be in force by the time you arrive. Always check the current situation with the county administrative board and the emergency services before lighting a fire – both bans and exemptions vary between local authorities and seasons. Always extinguish the fire thoroughly with water; never use sand alone.

Pick berries, mushrooms and flowers

Wild berries, mushrooms and flowers may be picked freely on other people’s land – this is one of the clearest rights under the right of public access. Exceptions include protected plants, which must not be picked at all, and specific rules that may apply in protected areas. However, you must not take branches, bark, pine cones or acorns from living trees, nor dig up plants by their roots. In mountain environments, it is particularly important to be considerate: the vegetation on bare mountain slopes and in bogs is sensitive and takes a long time to recover. We have a separate guide on pick berries and mushrooms with information on seasons and practical advice. Protection status varies from county to county, so check the regulations for Dalarna if you are unsure about a species.

Dogs, reindeer and grazing animals

Dogs are allowed to accompany you out into the countryside, but they must be kept under control. Between 1 March and 20 August, the strictest legal requirements apply: dogs must be prevented from running loose in areas where there is game. During the rest of the year, you remain responsible for ensuring that your dog never hunts or harms animals. Within reindeer herding areas and in protected areas, stricter rules may apply all year round. If you encounter reindeer or grazing animals, you must give them a wide berth and never walk into a herd. Close gates behind you and do not enter fenced-off pastureland. You can find out more about the rules on the trail in the guide on go for a walk in the mountains with your dog.

Drones, off-road driving and waste

The right of public access does not apply to motor vehicles. Off-road driving on bare ground is generally prohibited under the Off-Road Driving Act, and snowmobiling is regulated and restricted to designated trails and permitted areas. Drones are classified as aircraft and are regulated by the Swedish Transport Agency; in addition to the general aviation regulations, flying may be prohibited in national parks and nature reserves, and even where it is permitted, consideration must be given to wildlife and the experience of other visitors. Always check the area’s regulations before flying anything. When it comes to waste, the rule is simple and absolute: take everything you bring in back out again, including food scraps, fruit peel and toilet paper. If you need to relieve yourself, do so well away from water and trails, and bury your waste.

Additional rules in nature reserves and national parks

In protected areas, the general principles of the right of public access are superseded by the area’s own regulations, which may be considerably stricter. Common restrictions relate to camping, lighting fires, walking dogs, cycling off the designated paths, drones and access during certain periods – for example, to protect nesting birds. The regulations are displayed at the entrances and published by the county administrative board, and they always take precedence over general advice. We have compiled a list of nearby protected areas in the guide on nature reserves and national parks near Sälen. If you’re unsure about the rules, a nature guide tour a convenient way to both explore the area and have the rules explained to you on the spot.

Summary – the right of public access in the mountains: leave it as you found it

Key information about the right of public access in the mountains around Sälen:

• Do no harm, do no damage – the fundamental principle from which everything else follows.
• Camping: temporary, for one day, not near residential buildings and not in breach of the area’s regulations.
• Fires: only when there is no risk of fire, never on cooking hobs or on peatland – and check for any fire bans on the day itself.
• Berries and mushrooms may be picked freely; protected plants and protected areas are exceptions.
• Keep dogs on a lead, particularly between 1 March and 20 August, and always keep them close to reindeer and grazing livestock.
• Drones and off-road driving are not covered by the right of public access and require specific permits and consideration.
• Always check the current regulations issued by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and the County Administrative Board in Dalarna.

The right of public access only works as long as enough people exercise it with care – and in the mountains, the difference between care and carelessness remains visible for years.