Along the Norrboleden in Hälsingland, they have had to redirect hikers because quad bikes have broken the terrain.

- It's heavy. It is thought that it takes a few seconds to destroy and for us it takes a long time to repair. I do not think they understand how it can hurt, says Gudrun Holmberg, coordinator Norrboleden.

Reported damage throughout the county

The County Administrative Board has reported injuries from off-road driving in several of the protected nature areas around Gävleborg for which they are responsible. Off-road driving is prohibited on all bare ground in Sweden.

However, it is only the tip of the iceberg of all the damage that is found along hiking trails and bogs in the county. 

- It is probably easier to line up the areas where it has not been ridden with a quad bike and these are mainly places where it is not possible to ride. It really is a growing problem. Partly for animals and plants but also for the public who want to take part in nature, says Rie Stagegaard, County Administrative Board of Gävleborg.

Driving injuries at watercourses are extra problematic

In several places, driving injuries have been discovered in direct connection to major watercourses and this is particularly serious from an environmental point of view.

- Mercury is found in the soil naturally and methylates in wetlands and if you get tracks from wetlands to watercourses, you have a big problem, says Isabelle Bergkvist, program manager for forest management at Skogsforsk.