The Swedish Right of Public Access
Sweden's so-called Allemansrätt (Right of Public Access) allows anyone to freely pick mushrooms and berries in nature — even on private forest land, as long as you treat nature and property with respect. Around Ullevi, that means the forest right outside the door isn't just scenery — it's literally there to be used.
What the forest near Totebo offers
Småland's forests are dominated by pine, spruce and birch — ideal conditions for classic Scandinavian mushroom varieties like chanterelles and porcini, mainly in late summer and early autumn depending on the year and weather. Blueberries and lingonberries often grow right beside the paths and are already ripe by midsummer.
Foraging without prior knowledge — is that possible?
If you're not experienced with mushrooms, only eat what you can identify with certainty — a mushroom app or a comparison with a local field guide can help if in doubt. Berries are more straightforward: blueberries and lingonberries are hard to mistake for anything else in Småland and are a safe choice for children and beginners.
From the forest straight to the kitchen
Ullevi's kitchen is built for exactly these kinds of days — plenty of cookware and an extra, oversized fridge in the basement keep a day's haul from feeling cramped in everyday life. A pan of freshly picked chanterelles in cream, with lingonberries for dessert — a simple but very Swedish dinner straight from your own forest.
- Allowed: foraging thanks to the Allemansrätt, even on private forest land
- Best time: blueberries/lingonberries in summer, mushrooms in late summer/early autumn
- Tip: when in doubt about a mushroom, leave it rather than guess