Best practice in the natural environment
Avoid entering someone’s property
Sometimes, unintentionally, when we follow applications like Google Maps or Wikiloc we may end up on routes that are not official and it’s possible to inadvertently enter someone’s property. Obtain information from official sources regarding the wide range of marked routes and itineraries to enjoy these spaces.
Problems it can cause
When we follow some unofficial routes, we might enter private property. Not all private properties permit visitor access, and it is important to respect this in order to preserve any value they may have, whether natural or economic.
Additionally, it is important to consider that, in private properties, any produce obtained belongs to the property owner, whether it’s fruits, vegetables, wood or other goods. As for forests, many have owners and the use of these spaces has been regulated by local residents for centuries. Nowadays, the increase in recreational activities is a new use in many of these natural spaces, and the influx of visitors, sometimes linked to the collection of resources like mushrooms, can conflict with the property owners.
Best practices
To avoid entering someone’s property or to do so respectfully, follow these practices:
- Always respect any signage you encounter, whether it’s a sign or a fence, etc.
- When planning your activity, inform yourself about the available marked routes and itineraries to avoid entering private property.
- Know and respect regulations for harvesting on public and private properties.
- Contact park information centres and local tourism offices to learn about about these regulations.