How to behave in Protective Forests

About 48 percent of Austria‘s national territory is covered with forests. May anyone enter any forest whenever he wants, walk on forest paths or cross a forest?

Mushrooms, berries and other forest fruits (e.g. sweet chestnuts) are generally the property of the forest owner.

The Forest Act 1975 stipulates that anyone may enter the forest for recreational purposes. Riding a vehicle and horse-riding in forests are subject to the permission of the forest owner or forest road maintainer.

The use of forests for camping in the dark or tenting without the consent of the owner of the forest or the person responsible for maintaining the forest road is to be fined.

Tobogganing or bobsleighing in the forest (which includes forest roads or other forest paths) is considered as riding of vehicles in the forest and therefore requires the consent of the forest owner or forest road maintainer.

Any use of forests beyond entering and spending some time for recreational purposes, such as horse-riding, but also camping in the dark, tenting or riding a vehicle, is subject to permission.

Many people wonder why one needs to buy firewood even though fallen branches, other broken wood and wood residues from felling are available in forests.

Is it allowed to build a campfire in forests? Who is actually allowed to light and maintain a fire in forests and what should be taken into account?

In the area of lift facilities (e.g. cable cars) alpine skiing in forests is only permitted on marked pistes or ski routes.