Hiking trails provide you with the opportunity to easily explore natural and cultural environments in Värmland. Keep in mind that the trails mostly pass through privately owned land that the landowner has voluntarily opened up for hiking. This voluntary act makes it extra important for you, as a hiker, to follow the rules of public access rights.
- You are allowed to walk, cycle, and ride in nature – but private yards, plantations, and cultivated land are prohibited areas. Don’t forget to close gates behind you.
- You are allowed to camp for a night. To camp longer, near houses, or with multiple tents, you should ask the landowner for permission.
- You are allowed to swim at the beaches, except at private properties.
- Leave the animals’ nests and young undisturbed, especially during spring and summer when they are extra sensitive. If you have a dog, keep it leashed in nature during the period from March 1 to August 20 to protect wildlife. Even during the rest of the year, the dog must be kept under close supervision.
- You are allowed to pick wild berries, mushrooms, and flowers that are not protected. But it is forbidden to cut down trees or bushes, break branches, take bark, or otherwise damage growing trees without permission.
- Carry your trash with you! Broken glass, cans, plastic, fishing lines, and other litter can harm both humans and animals. Leave nature as clean as you want it to be when you return.
Do not take dogs into pastures with animals. Especially cows with calves can be aggressive towards dogs.
Read more at Naturvårdsverket.
Cycling and Riding
You are allowed to cycle and ride almost anywhere in nature, as long as the ground is not damaged. However, nature trails are easily damaged by horse hooves and bicycle tires. Our Hiking Värmland trails are intended for hiking. We have usage agreements with all landowners regarding hiking trails. Therefore, we recommend refraining from cycling and riding on hiking trails. There is also a certain safety risk with having horses, bicycles, runners, and hikers with dogs and children on the same trail.
In some areas, riding is allowed on Hiking Värmland trails with the landowner’s approval. This information is displayed on information boards at the starting point. In some municipalities, municipal regulations prohibit all riding on hiking trails and exercise trails.
Fires
You are welcome to make fires at prepared fire pits. Firewood is also provided there. Never make a fire if there is the slightest risk of forest fire. During dry weather, there is often a fire ban. Then all open fires are prohibited, even at prepared fire pits.
Information about fire bans is available at 054-15 50 15 (answering machine). If you have made a fire, make sure to extinguish it properly with water. You can be fined or liable for damages if the fire spreads.
In some popular outdoor areas and at all fire stations in Värmland, Fire Ban flags are hoisted when there is a fire ban. The flag began to be used in Värmland during the 1980s to alert canoeists in the lake systems to fire bans.
Nature Reserves
Keep in mind that public access rights are limited in nature reserves. It is always your responsibility to know what applies in the area you are visiting. Read the information board at the starting point. There are different regulations for different nature reserves. Information about all nature reserves is available on the County Administrative Board’s website.
Hunting
Hunting occurs for many different species. All hunting is regulated by legislation. Hunting is legal during different periods for different species. The hunting right usually belongs to the landowner.
Moose hunting is the biggest hunt. Avoid being in the forest during moose hunting. Moose hunting always starts on the second Monday in October and is most intense during the first week of hunting. In northern Värmland (Torsby municipality), it is allowed to start moose hunting in September. If hunting teams have other traditions, it is stated on the information board at the starting point.
Fishing
With 11,000 lakes and watercourses, there are excellent fishing opportunities in Värmland. To fish in lakes and watercourses, you should buy a fishing permit for the relevant area. The fishing rights belong to the landowners in the area covered by a fishing conservation area.
In Lake Vänern, fishing with hand tools is allowed. Read more at the County Administrative Board’s website.
Off-Road Driving with Motor Vehicles
All off-road driving with motor vehicles is prohibited in nature, with exceptions. It is also forbidden to drive in snow if the snow cover is so thin that there is a risk of damaging the ground underneath. The Off-Road Driving Act is intended to protect nature and therefore also applies to the landowner.
Exceptions to the Off-Road Driving Act apply to work in agriculture and forestry. In addition to this, there are exceptions for maintenance of power lines, management of outdoor areas, rescue services, and retrieval of felled moose.