Outdoor life & hunting

Outdoor life is part of Swedish lifestyle

In Sweden you are never far from the woods and lakes. Outdoor life is part of the Swedish lifestyle, in summertime as well as in snowy wintertime. Activities that people enjoy include collecting berries and mushrooms, backpacking in the mountains, hunting and fishing, bird watching, canoeing, mountain climbing, and skiing, just to mention a few.

Swedish nature is a great asset which must be handled carefully. In general, anyone familiar with European fauna will find that Sweden has many of the animal populations that are spread over Europe. For example, hare, rabbit, beaver, and seal are all part of the Swedish fauna. Many visitors from abroad get fascinated by our relatively untouched nature and all our vast forests.

The Right of Public Access gives you access to Swedish nature

The Right of Public Access (Allemansrätten) is unique and the most important basis for recreation in Sweden. The Right of Public Access provides the possibility for each and everyone to visit somebody else's land, to take a bath in and to travel by boat on somebody else's waters, and to pick those wild flowers, mushrooms, and berries that are not protected by law. 

Yet, there are things that you are prohibited to do, and others that you are obliged to keep in mind, when enjoying Swedish nature.

This applies according to Allemensrätten (information from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency)

Discover Sweden's national parks

There are 29 national parks in Sweden, ranging in character from vast mountainous areas in the North to broad-leaf forest areas in the South. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency provides more information on each park. 

Discover Sweden's national parks  

Hunting is a popular acitivity

Hunting is a popular activity in Sweden, with 270 000 registered hunters. Hunting is, and shall be a wise long-term utilization of the renewable natural resources. Hunting and wildlife management is an integral and essential part of wildlife conservation. Wildlife (mammals and birds) is essentially protected, as well as eggs and nests, and hunting can take place only in the extent and in a manner stipulated by law. Most hunted animals are moose, deer, and wild boar. 

Svenska Jägareförbundet (Swedish Association for Hunting and Wildlife Managament) provides summarized information on what applies for hunting in Sweden as a foreign guest:

Hunting in Sweden