Frederiksen’s right-to-roam proposal divides opinion

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s proposal to allow people to camp throughout Denmark’s countryside has drawn support from a nature guide and opposition from a forest owner, DR reports.

In her speech at the opening of the Danish parliament, Frederiksen suggested introducing a right to roam modelled on Sweden and Norway. Camping is generally not allowed in privately owned forests in Denmark.

Karin Winther, a nature guide with Vesthimmerlands Municipality, visited Voldsted Plantage, a privately owned forest, to explain the rules for camping in the Danish countryside. She said the proposal may be linked to plans to create more and wilder nature in Denmark, and hopes it will encourage more people to spend time outdoors.

Winther said she was not worried that tents and poor behaviour would overwhelm nature. With public information and education, she believes litter and disturbances could be avoided.

Anders Ahrenfeldt, a forest owner and chair of Nordlige Jyllands Skovkreds, a branch of the Danish Forest Association, wants the current rules to remain. People may walk and cycle on suitable roads and paths in private forests from 6 a.m. until sunset, he said.

Ahrenfeldt said forest owners should retain control of their private property. He also noted that some already provide shelters and toilets on the edges of forests for overnight stays, and warned that allowing tents everywhere could lead to more rubbish and toilet paper being left behind.