Anyone familiar with the restrictions in Zurich and other cantons?
The freedom to roam, or "everyman's right", is the general public's right to access certain public or privately owned land for recreation and exercise. It is guaranteed in Switzerland by the Swiss Civil Code that forest and pasture are accessible freely for everyone, as long as there is no excessive usage. Some cantons however have more detailed regulations concerning the rights of access of otherwise not authorised people. It is further possible for the canton to restrict the freedom to roam to protect nature (e.g. the gathering of mushrooms, berries, wood, etc. in forests).
That's interesting. Could you please supply a link? Thanks.
Not for access but for the harvest of mushrooms.
IIRC the first ten days of each month it's forbidden to collect mushrooms in Kanton Zürich. I may be wrong but I think other Kantone use the approach of "no collecting before
Correct for Zurich. Each Canton is different - some have weight restrictions (normally 5 kg like in France).
Available in French, German and Italian only:
http://www.vapko.ch/index.php/fr/pro...-et-communales
gives restrictions per Canton. No foraging in National Parks or Reserves- and no access to private property like gardens.
For Zurich 1 kg maximum and no collection between 1st and 10th of month.
No restrictions on dates or weight in Neuchâtel - but I know some people who have been stopped and fined by French customs for returning from foraging in France with more than 5 kilos.
The basic right is Art. 699 Code Civil https://www.admin.ch/opc/ne/classifi...042/index.html
Additionally there are limitations set by the Federal Act on the Protection of Nature and Cultural Heritage.
For ex, Art. 19 https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classifi...index.html#a19
and Art 20
further there is the Federal Act on Forest
Art. 14 https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classifi...index.html#a14
Art. 15
Note: An unpaved road through a forest is generally forbidden for motorized vehicles. Even when there is no sign unless a clear destination sign permits its use. Some cantons put at virtually every forest road a corresponding sign, other cantons like Jura very seldom. If you are caught driving on a forest road closed for motorized vehicles there will be a CHF 100 fine in case there was a sign, and a fine of up to CHF 40 000 in case there was no sign!
Also, if you are not allowed to drive there you also not allowed to park there. Obvious with cars as have to drive in order to park. Less obvious but still true for motorbikes which you are allowed to push over roads which are forbidden.
Many cantonal forest laws forbid riding bicycles and horses off track.
And the Canton/Kanton of Valais/Wallis forbids cycling along the Bisses/Suonen [although this is often abused by thoughtless individuals]