Recognising access land

You can find access land on our interactive Outdoor Wales onLine Map– these are the areas marked yellow. Restrictions to access are also shown as a layer on the map. We also show other statutory area access land.

You can also see open access land on Ordnance Survey Explorer (1:25000) maps. Open access areas have yellow shading with an orangey-brown border. Forestry land that has been dedicated for public access shows as pale green, with the same orangey-brown border.

Remember to look out for the access symbol while out walking.

		Open access land - areas of mountain, moor, heath, down land and registered common land (mapped under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000) open to people to walk, run, explore, climb and watch wildlife, without having to stay on paths.
		A ‘negative’ access symbol - marks the end of area-wide access although other access rights may exist, for example public rights of way

Ordnance Survey (OS) Explorer maps also highlight key information points for CRoW access land. Important information is displayed at these places, including any restrictions that might be in place.

You should note that the OS Explorer maps don't show permissive access land or any area of CRoW access land which are smaller than 5 hectares.

Frequently Asked Questions On The Access Provisions Of The Countryside And Rights Of Way Act Download Frequently Asked Questions On The Access Provisions Of The Countryside And Rights Of Way Act.pdf (185 KB)
Includes information on the mapping review 2012. The Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act was passed in 2000. The Act gives a right of access on foot for the purpose of open-air recreation. In Wales, the right given under the Act commenced in May 2005.

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Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000-Managing Public Access to Areas of Land Download Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000-Managing Public Access to Areas of Land.pdf (386 KB)
Guidance for landowners and managers focusing on public access to areas of land including access and liability issues under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. It updates the information contained in the 2005 publication Managing Public Access.

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Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000-Countryside Access Maps Review-Have your say Download Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000-Countryside Access Maps Review-Have your say.pdf (1 MB)
This document is about the maps of open country and registered common land required by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. It explains the process CCW is going through to review these maps and how you can check what land is shown on the maps and give us your views.

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Managing access in the Countryside-A guide for farmers and landowners Download Managing access in the Countryside-A guide for farmers and landowners.pdf (69 KB)
This guide is about managing public access in the countryside. It is mainly for farmers, landowners and foresters, but will also be useful for people with sporting interests and others who manage the countryside.

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Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000-How to use restrictions Download Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000-How to use restrictions.pdf (84 KB)
Guidance for landowners and managers explaining how rights of access may be restricted on ‘access land’ that is created by the Countryside & Rights of Way Act. It gives some background information and explains the different ways of restricting the right and the procedures to follow for each case.

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Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000-Excepted Land Guidelines for Wales Download Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000-Excepted Land Guidelines for Wales.pdf (18 KB)
Guidance on excepted land - the types of land where access rights under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act do not apply.

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