A three-year dispute over public access to a coastal path in front of Mariager Camping and Cabins has reached a conclusion.
The Environmental and Food Board of Appeal has overturned Mariagerfjord Municipality’s 2022 decision that restricted use of the path to campsite guests, ruling that the public must once again have access.
The case began in spring 2022 when campsite owners Anni and Kenneth Jensen installed a gate and sign at the entrance to the path, stating that only guests of the campsite could use it.
According to the owners, the restriction was linked to concerns that some walkers were straying into areas between the caravans. A user of the path filed a complaint with Mariagerfjord Municipality, which initially supported the restriction.
The municipality’s position was that the grassy area was being used as part of the campsite, and therefore, the public right of passage did not apply.
The Danish Society for Nature Conservation (DN) Mariagerfjord contested that ruling, arguing that public access rights to the coast had been wrongly curtailed.
“It is a crystal clear decision, and everyone has the right to walk along the coasts in Denmark. Therefore, it came as a complete surprise to us when the municipality suddenly abolished this right in front of the campsite. The board has now, as expected, come to the conclusion that you can’t do that,” Peter Toubøl from DN Mariagerfjord told Amtsavisen.
The Board of Appeal’s decision requires that both the gate and the sign be removed, confirming that the path remains open to the public.
The route leads to the Færgehagen area and provides access to the 55-meter Birgitta Bridge, a bathing jetty that is a popular attraction.
Kenneth Jensen of Mariager Camping and Cabins downplayed the dispute’s impact on the business. “There is no drama in it for us. We have never had anything against using the path, as long as you respect that there is also a campsite here,” he said.
While the ruling clarifies legal access, both the campsite owners and DN Mariagerfjord encourage visitors to use the path considerately, respecting that it runs alongside an active hospitality business.
For outdoor hospitality operators, the case highlights the importance of understanding local regulations and access rights.
Disputes over public access can extend for years, as seen in Mariager, and operators may benefit from working proactively with municipalities and community groups to balance guest privacy, business operations, and public use.
The outcome serves as a reminder that land management decisions can be subject to legal scrutiny and that engagement with stakeholders is key to maintaining positive relations.
