The Danish Protection of Nature Act is intended to protect nature, but also give people greater access to the natural world. However, what you may and may not do in the forests depend on the ownership of the forest.

Private Forests:
2 out of 3 forests are privately owned. While cycling in the private forests is permitted along designated paths and roads, access off the paths and roads is prohibited - for walkers as well. There is public of right access all year round from 6pm until sundown.

Non-surfaced roads and designated paths in open country are open to people travelling on foot or by bicycle and there are only 3 circumstances in which the landowner can prohibit access: if access would be disruptive to commercial exploitation of the property; if access is disruptive to the private life of the landowner or if the animals or plants there require particular protection.

In addition to such instances the landowner is permitted to temporarily close private roads for the purposes of shooting parties or intensive agricultural activities that might be hazardous to the public.

Finally, the Protection of Nature Act also prescribes rules for group access to private woodland. Without obtaining prior permission, groups of max. 50 people have access, but for larger groups permission must be obtained from the landowner, irrespective of the purpose of access.

The basic rule is that the landowner's instructions must be adhered to.

State Forests:
In the state forests access off the paths is also permitted, and access is likewise permitted after sundown. Riding is also permitted in the state forests, but is subject to special regulations. If you wish to ride in the state forests you should therefore contact the owner of the forest to find out what conditions apply to riding.

In the state forests, groups of people have unlimited daytime access provided that the ordinary regulations are observed. Special permission need not therefore be obtained for trips to pick mushrooms or watch birds, just as the nursery schools, primary and secondary schools, scouts and guides associations have group access to the state forests without needing to obtain prior permission.

For orienteering events, group outdoor camping, etc. permission must ALWAYS be obtained from the landowner, irrespective of whether there are 5 or 100 participants, and irrespective of whether the intended site is a state forest or privately-owned woodland.

Camping in the State Forests:
Camping at the primitive shelters in the state forests can be done without prior permission.

Also, in 40 forests dispersed over the country you now have the opportunity of getting close to nature and leaving civilization behind - provided you obey the rules laid down by the Danish Forest and Nature Agency:

• You are only allowed to stay for one night at the same location, with maximum two tents at the same location and only using tents designated for a maximum of three persons
• Tents must be out of sight from forestry and residential buildings, including eg. neighbours, camp sites and roads for vehicles
• Open fires and use of Trangia alcohol stoves are not allowed
• Use of motorised vehicles is not allowed on the forest roads
• Camping is not allowed on the beaches and dunes
• When you leave, please take your litter with you and leave the location tidy

On the site of the Danish Forest and Nature Agency you will find lists and maps of the areas in which you can find shelters and where free camping is allowed, see www.skovognatur.dk.