MANY would-be ramblers are still confused about where they can and cannot go under the terms of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act, according to Emily Fisher, of Strutt & Parker, Moreton property agents.

She said problems started with the name itself. "It reinforces a misapprehension among the public that they now enjoy unfettered access to all parts of the countryside and are free to wander where and when they like.

"What the act does give walkers, and it is only walkers, not cyclists or horse riders, is a right of access to open country, areas of land defined by their topography, geology and the vegetation growing there. The most common types are mountain, moor, heath and downland, together with registered common land.

She pointed out the only maps readily available to walkers, clearly showing the new open country, were Ordnance Survey latest 1:25.000 Explorer range.

"The reality is that most people re-use their old maps over and over again, so they won't have a clue what is and what isn't open country," said Ms Fisher.

But even a walker with a brand new map can still face problems. Owners of open country are still legally entitled to restrict access, even close it up, for 28 days a year, and some excepted land is not actually open at all, normally for a readily apparent reason but sometimes only after representations have been made by the landowner.

These include parkland and gardens, land within 20 metres of a dwelling and land that has been ploughed or drilled with the last 12 months.

Miss Fisher said she hoped ramblers would exercise their new access rights with care and consideration.