I can’t imagine living in a place where I was denied access to the land …
Ancient traces provide evidence of the freedom to roam in many European countries, suggesting such a freedom was once a common norm. Today, the right to roam has survived in perhaps its purest form in Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Everyone in Norway enjoys the right of access to and passage through uncultivated land in the countryside. This originally traditional right has been set out in legislation since 1957. It is based on respect for the countryside, and all visitors are expected to show consideration for farmers and landowners, other users and the environment.
– The Right of Access
There is this picturesque cemetery right by the ocean not far from my house at Ogna, it’s called Varhaug Old Cemetery and dates back to the 13th century. It’s a magical place, enchanted. The large sky defines the landscape, it can make it mild and sunny (like in my pictures today), but it never stays the same for very long. And more often than not its all rather dark and heavy, windy; rough – you should really see this place in hailstorms and thunderclouds!
sub rosa 
“Right of access” reminded me of Woodie Guthrie’s song “This Land Is Your Land.”
When the sun came shining, and I was strolling,
And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling,
As the fog was lifting a voice was chanting:
This land was made for you and me.
As I went walking I saw a sign there
And on the sign it said “No Trespassing.”
But on the other side it didn’t say nothing,
That side was made for you and me.
–particularly those last two lines–
Thank you!
Yes indeed!
An interesting post; I fully agree with “The Right to Access” norwegian law which, by the way, is something called “common sense”. I know that nowadays common sense is not very common, though.
The cemetery pictures are outstanding as it is the place!
Agree; common sense – it should be obvious to all and everyone of us!
Will visit the place again in stormy weather and see if I can get some images.
Oh my, how marvelous. Needless to say the States, this “land of the free,” is sadly without such a necessary law.
Just browsing your country on Google satellite, and it seems so large and complicated that roaming would be infinite.
With a population of about 5 mill. we’re only occupying fringes of the country.
We have great tradition for hiking, with a national organization (where many of us are members) looking after paths and routs all over the country: http://english.turistforeningen.no/
http://english.turistforeningen.no/trip.php?fo_id=3987
But of course, if you prefer to make your own path, thats possible too!