Everyman's right

Everyman's rights for canoers and kayakers

As any visitor in Finland, also a canoer or kayaker is granted with what is in Scandinavian countries known as everyman's right. Although everyman's right is not a law per se, it is based on Finnish legislation.

In short, everyman's right means open access to both privately owned or public land, and waterways. Anyone living in or visiting Finland is entitled to walk and cycle freely on any land. Under everyman's rights also boats may anchor or moor, and go ashore, unless it is expressly prohibited.

In the following, the details of everyman's right concerning canoers and kayakers are listed. For a more detailed description of everyman's right, you can download a pamphlet from Finnish Ministry of the Environment webpage at http://www.ymparisto.fi/default.asp?contentid=104523&lan=en&clan=en

Open access to land and waterways

• Everyman's right gives permission to walk or cycle on any land, as long as no harm is caused to property or the environment
• The right does not apply on cultivated fields, protected areas such as nature reserves and in the vicinity of private homes. For details about restricted areas in National parks and nature reserves see: www.outdoors.fi
• The right gives free access to most waterways
• Under everyman's right everyone is allowed to anchor, moor or go ashore, as long as no harm or disturbance is caused to property or the environment
• The right does not apply on certain restricted areas such as nature reserves. For details about restricted areas in National parks and nature reserves see: www.outdoors.fi
• Nesting areas of birds should be avoided during the nesting season
  

Camping out

• Everyman's right allows one to rest, have a picnic oe swim anywhere, as long as no harm is caused to property or the environment
• Also camping out for a short period of time either on public or privately owned land is allowed
• The right does not apply on cultivated fields and in the vicinity of private homes
• Camping is also restricted on public beaches, and on protected areas such as nature reserves. The latter might have designated camping grounds. For details about restricted areas in National parks and nature reserves see: www.outdoors.fi

Picking beries, mushrooms and plants

• Everyman's right allows one to pick berries, mushrooms and flowers as long they are not protected species
• The right might be restricted on protected areas such as nature reserves
• Collecting moss, lichen or fallen trees is not allowed

Fishing

• Disturbing people or private property is not allowed
• One should not harm game, reindeer, birds or other wild animals, their nests or young
• One should keep dogs, cats and other pets on leash
• One should not drop or leave litter
• Driving motor vehicles off road without the landowner's permission is prohibited
• Hunting without relevant permits is prohibited
• Fishing with nets, traps, reels and lure without relevant permits is prohibited
• Lighting an open campfire without landowner's permission is prohibited. On national parks and recreational areas fires should always be lit on designated fire places only. However, when a forest fire warning is issued, no open fire should be lit anywhere. The issued warnings for land areas can be found http://www.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/weather/warning.html