Discover Magma Geopark by foot

In Norway we have “Allemannsretten”. This is a law granting free access to the nature in Norway to the public. Allemannsretten states that everyone is allowed to travel and stay in the outskirts of Norway, and it is focusing on the fact that our nature is a joint free asset and part of our cultural heritage. It gives you the right to use and visit landmarks, regardless of who is the landowner.

Outdoor recreation is an important part of our cultural heritage in Norway. Since ancient times, we have had the right to roam freely in forests and open country, along rivers, on lakes, among skerries, and in the mountains. We are allowed to harvest nature’s bounty – which means not only saltwater fish, berries, mushrooms and wildflowers, but also our sensory impressions of the whole outdoor experience. The main principles of Allemannsretten are legally enshrined in the Outdoor Recreation Act of 1957.

With rights there are also responsibilities. When you get the right to roam freely in the Norwegian nature, we expect that you treat our nature with respect. The golden rule is to “leave nothing but footprints”; you are obliged to leave our nature the way it was when you came – or even better.

Hiking is a big part of Magma Geopark. The locals use their nature actively for recreation and for exercise. We have a variety of marked paths, and they are diverse in terrain and locations. “Toppturer” (summits) are very popular, and quite a few of our Geopark Locations are summits. Some of our locations are part of long hikes, but most of them are family friendly and highly accessible.

There are information boards at each location, but if you want the full experience and the full story you can book a guided tour with one of our specially trained geopark guides.

Here you can hike:

In the outfield

• you can walk freely summer or winter.

On the inland

• You can walk the roads and trails throughout the year if you keep your distance to the courtyard, houses and cottages;
• you can hike over frozen or snowy fields and meadows from October 15 through April 29.

When you are traveling you can stop and rest where you want in the outfield, but do not stop near houses and cottages.

You have a responsibility to pay respect to others, and to clear and pick up rubbish after you. This makes it easier for everyone to come back to the place.

Anyone traveling or staying on another man’s land or in the sea outside should:

• be considerate and careful not to cause injury or inconvenience to the owner, the user or others;
• do not harm the environment;
• do not leave the place in a condition that may seem unsightly or cause harm or inconvenience to anyone.

When enjoying nature on foot, remember to:

• do not go over cultivated land, through yard or near inhabited houses and cottages;
• be cautious when traveling in the mountains and in the woods;
• do not disturb animal and bird life, especially during breeding times;
• do not disturb livestock in pastures;
• respect other users of nature;
• take your rubbish with you.

Rules for large gatherings of people in the open air:

Organized outdoor activity is when groups of people practice outdoor activities together. For example, guided groups, tours organized by teams and associations, and various events such as open air concerts. It is not common to consider school classes and kindergartens as organized trips.

If organized traffic in the outfield where you expect it will cause harm or inconvenience to the landowner, the user, the nature or others who practice outdoor life (for example, over time in the same place), you should clarify it with the landowner. Setting up a written agreement helps prevent conflicts.
Outdoor meeting, sporting event (eg ski run or orienteering) and similar gathering which may cause significant damage or inconvenience, cannot be held without the consent of the owner or user for reasons where blocking, gathering, starting or income takes place or where people gathering otherwise, must be imputed.

A ski run, cross-country ski run or similar must be laid so as to avoid damage to forest rejuvenation and young forest and fence damage as far as possible.

You must get permission from the landowner:

• if you are going to set up a block, gather people, arrange a start or an income;
• where the confluence of people can cause significant harm or inconvenience

This applies especially to outdoor meetings, sports events and the like.
Cyclists in races and riding clubs cannot avail themselves of the right to cycle and ride on the road and built up trail in the inland when the road or trail leads to the outfield.