A cultural legacy? Icelanders see outdoor recreation as an important part of their cultural legacy, which has developed from both rural traditions of harvesting from nature and an urban culture of excursions to the countryside.
Everyone in Iceland has a wide-ranging right of access to the countryside, originally a traditional right but now set out in the legislation.
On uncultivated land, you may go anywhere you like on foot or on skis and picnic wherever you want. You may also put up a tent for the night - or sleep under the stars - but you must keep at least 150 m away from the nearest house or cabin.
If you want to stay for more than two nights in the same place, you must ask the landowner's permission, except in the mountains or very remote areas.
Attention!? The right of access does not apply if you are using a motor vehicle of any kind, then you are obliged to follow roads.