In Finland, owning a forest does not necessarily mean you can put up a gate and keep everyone out. The country’s Every Person’s Right, also known as Everyman’s rights, allows people to enjoy nature even when the land belongs to someone else. Walkers can generally explore forests, collect wild berries and mushrooms, swim and spend a short time camping without asking the owner or paying a fee.
The principle, known in Finnish as jokaisenoikeudet, is one of the most distinctive features of outdoor life in Finland. But it comes with an important condition: freedom of access does not mean freedom to damage property, disturb people or ignore conservation rules.
