Summary:

The paper concerns the issues related to rural landscape. The problem of recreational development of rural areas was discussed. The range of present and future changes of spatial, social, economic and ownership structure of rural areas will influence the landscape. One of the current tasks will be to find balance between protecting the natural and cultural landscape components, maintaining property rights of farmers and preserving tourists' interest. The paper presents studies of contemporary approaches to landscape understood as a public good. In this context public access to landscape has been presented. Public access to landscape should be considered in spatial management processes of rural areas. The proposition presented in the paper relates to two landscape categories: "inner landscape" and "outer landscape". An outer landscape is understood as a landscape seen by the observer (e.g panoramas, views) while an inner landscape are places where the observer can observe the landscape. Lack of the public access to view spots, view roads and view platforms disturbs landscape accessibility for landscape users. Rural landscape possesses high value for contemporary man. It constitutes a social reality that is very rich, Public access to landscape includes spatial planning and law regulations providing the right of way to landscape components. Surveys results have indicated the need for activities that should be performed during land consolidation procedure. Landscape accessibility issues are especially important in areas with recreational potential.