Published 01.01.2025

The right to roam has long been a cherished part of Norway’s natural and cultural heritage, granting us the freedom to explore nature with respect for our surroundings. However, today we face a biodiversity and environmental crisis that demands this right be adapted to new realities. Technological advancements, increased tourism, and changing usage patterns have, in many cases, caused the exercise of the right to roam to come at the expense of nature and wildlife. This is particularly evident in vulnerable wilderness areas such as Hardangervidda, where the conflict between human activity and the needs of nature is becoming increasingly pronounced. 

Now is the time to revise the Outdoor Recreation Act, with the goal of protecting what remains of Norway’s unique wilderness. Our political leaders must take action to ensure that nature’s voice is heard in an era where short-term interests often prevail over long-term stewardship. 

The wild reindeer, one of Norway’s most iconic species, serves as a key indicator of the state of nature. Hardangervidda, home to one of the world’s largest wild reindeer populations, has faced increasing pressure from human activity in recent years. Despite warnings from county governors and environmental authorities, activities such as kiteboarding and other disturbances have been allowed to persist during the reindeer’s most vulnerable periods. The result? Stressed animals are displaced from critical winter grazing areas, impacting both their survival and future calf production. 

The example of kiteboarding on the plateau illustrates how economic interests and legal technicalities often take precedence over considerations for nature. During the winter months, when food is scarce and the wild reindeer are at their weakest, these animals need peace and quiet to conserve energy. Skisailing and kiteboarding, with their high speeds and large moving sails, trigger panic reactions in the animals. The reindeer perceive the kite as a "giant eagle," an imminent threat that can drive herds to flee over several kilometers. This stress leads to increased energy consumption, disruption of habitual migration routes, and, in the worst cases, fatal consequences. 

This type of activity can no longer be justified. For humans, it is recreation; for the wild reindeer, it is a matter of survival. The fact that nature is forced to yield to leisure activities is a trend that cannot continue if we are serious about preserving Norway’s unique natural environment. 

Section 2 of the Outdoor Recreation Act, which states that "everyone has the right to travel on foot in uncultivated land when done considerately and with due care," was originally rooted in the hunting and gathering culture. This tradition was based on a profound understanding of and respect for nature. Today, however, we see how this right is being exploited by new user groups who do not necessarily share the same understanding. 

Technological advancements such as electric fatbikes, kites, snowmobiles, and dog sledding represent a new form of outdoor recreation that challenges the natural limits of the environment. These activities allow people to penetrate deep into vulnerable ecosystems, both in summer and winter. In the summer, heavy electric bikes damage vegetation, particularly in alpine areas where plant life takes decades to recover from harm. In the winter, fast-paced activities like kiteboarding and dog sledding stress wildlife, which is already under pressure from climate change and habitat loss. 

When human activity in nature comes at the expense of biodiversity, we must confront the current practices. The right to roam, as it is practiced today, is not sustainable. 

If nature were a legal entity, it would be easy to defend it against economic interests and technological development. But nature cannot speak for itself. Therefore, we – as a society – must be its voice. We must have the courage to question whether current practices truly serve the intention for which the Outdoor Recreation Act was written: to preserve the natural foundation for outdoor life. 

Nature should not be adjusted to meet human needs for comfort and entertainment. It should be respected and protected, and we must be willing to limit our own freedoms to ensure future generations have the opportunity to experience pristine nature. 

The right to roam is a gift, but also a responsibility. It was never meant to provide a free pass for the destruction of nature or ignorance of wildlife’s needs. If we don’t take action now, we risk the destruction of the last untouched parts of Norwegian nature, one kite, one electric bike, and one dog sled at a time. The Norwegian Environmental Protection Association believes that the revision of the Outdoor Recreation Act must happen as soon as possible. The following measures should be considered: 

Regulation of Technological Access: Limit or ban the use of technological transportation methods such as kites, electric fatbikes, and snowmobiles in vulnerable natural areas, particularly in wild reindeer habitats.

Protection of Wild Reindeer: Introduce strict access bans during critical periods such as calving and winter grazing, and ensure larger buffer zones around the reindeer’s migration routes and grazing areas.

Reduction of Infrastructure Development: Halt the construction of tourist facilities and infrastructure such as cable cars and machine-prepared tracks in wilderness areas.

Strengthening Environmental Authorities: Provide county governors and environmental agencies with the legal and financial tools necessary to enforce regulations. 

Let’s work together to ensure that the right to roam can still be a cornerstone of Norwegian outdoor life – but adapted to a time when the nature crisis demands that we prioritize biodiversity. 

• NMFs brev (PDF)