Dos & dont's... ofwild camping
ARE YOU TEMPTED to try wild camping? It tends to be more popular with motorhome owners, but after a long tow it’s sometimes tempting to stop somewhere quiet for the night (and save on site fees) before moving on in the morning.
But if you do, you need to ensure you are doing so in a safe, legal way. If you are caught wild camping in an area that does not permit it you can be fined, making your ‘free’ camping trip not so free.
Here, the experts at outdoor holiday booking site Pitchup explain the laws at destinations across the UK and Europe.
United Kingdom
Wild camping is only legal in England if you have permission from the landowner. Most land in England is privately owned, with one exception.
Dartmoor National Park is the only place in England where wild camping is officially permitted, but there are still restrictions on where you can stop overnight (see dartmoor.gov.uk).
The rules in Wales are similar to England. In Scotland, the right-to-roam laws are still in place, which means that wild camping is generally legal.
You can set up camp in certain areas across Scotland, so long as you follow the
Scottish Access Code (www. outdooraccess-scotland.scot/ practical-guide-all/camping).
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It’s important to note that in places such as Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, you must buy a camping permit between March and September. The permit is around £4 a night, but in peak season popular areas sell out – try to plan about four months in advance.
Germany
Wild camping is prohibited in Germany and if you pitch in a
'Countries across Europe have different regulations covering wild camping'
German forest, you risk a fine of up to €500. If you are desperate to experience the wild forests, there are several ‘nearly wild’ sites available (pitchup.com).
Italy
Free or wild camping is not legal in Italy, unless you obtain the permission of the landowner first, and can cost you €100 to €500 if you are caught.
It is also important to note that authorities regularly patrol tourist areas and coastlines to enforce this prohibition.
Croatia
Croatia also prohibits wild camping. It is punishable by law and there is a 3000kn (around €400) fine if you are caught.
Especially in tourist areas, on the coast, and in national parks, the ban is strictly enforced.
Tourists and locals are only allowed to camp in registered campsites or on parking lots designated for caravans.
France
Although wild camping in France is legally something of a grey area, it is generally tolerated with the landowner’s permission, or if you are far away from any of the tourist sites.
In the north-east, the Morvan peaks are a popular choice, while in the south of the country, there are several wild camping spots around Saintes Maries-de-la-mer in the Camargue.
Generally, you are not advised to stay beyond 9am the next day, and it should be noted that they hate people lighting fires.
If sitting around a campfire is one of your favourite things about caravanninng, you could opt for Camping La Viotterie (campinglaviotterie.fr), a quiet, family-friendly farm site in the Mayenne countryside, and just a 20-minute drive from the lake at La Rincerie. Campfires and barbecues are allowed!
Spain
Wild camping is not allowed in Spain, and it is also important to understand the difference between parking up and camping.
It is illegal to park in any wild, non-camping place and set up the awning, table or chairs, or open the windows, which would be classed as camping.
This also applies to beaches, and camping or sleeping on the beach is forbidden – you can face very harsh fines for doing so, as much as €1000 in some municipalities. For further information about wild camping and some great ‘nearly wild’ campsite suggestions, visit pitchup.com/campsites /-/wild-camping