Survey supports freedom to roam in nature

The right of public access to the wilderness has long been a contentious issue in the Faroes.

Although an old law contains strict rules regarding walking in the mountains, there has for many decades been a tradition of free roaming in nature.

However, the recent boom in tourism has prompted some landowners and tenant farmers to resort to the old law, which states that special permission is required for walking anywhere in nature beyond the beaten path.

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Using a law that does not reflect the general views of the people is unfortunate, says Visit Faroe Islands, which recently carried out a survey on this topic.

An unspecified number of Faroese residents were asked about the need to revise the existing law on roaming in nature. Eight out of ten respondents said the law should be revised.

ferðafólk, ferðavinna, gongd í haga

They were also asked whether landowners and tenant farmers should be allowed to charge fees from people who walk on their land. A majority of respondents replied ‘no’ (no numbers were mentioned in the video clip).

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There appears to be strong support for Visit Faroe Islands’ proposal to introduce a nature conservation fee for all tourists travelling to the country.

A clear majority of the respondents said that the law should grant the public freedom to roam in nature.

Visit Faroe Islands thus concludes that if this survey is representative of the general will of the people, some legislative changes ought to be made.

Read the Faroese version of this article here.

Translated by prosa.fo.

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