Wild Camping

I am after a bit of advice or thoughts in general on this topic please.

We like to have a walk from time to time over a couple of days with a sleep out under the stars.

I am not sure what the rules / regulations in Spain are in this regard.

Do you have to stay on published camp sites or is it acceptable to pitch a tent on a bit of scrub land as long as you are not blatantly trespassing on private land and obviously leaving the area as found the next morning.

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

Unless you are TOTALLY happy that 'the bit of scrubland' or whatever is:

1. Not somebodies property (or somebody who THINKS its their property), the Farmers around here seem to blast first and ask questions later! i.e. mostly everywhere near here.
2. Not in a high fire risk area i.e. everywhere near here.
3. Not infested with, or likely to have, snakes / scorpions / stray dogs / spiders that nip/ wild boar/ poisonous centipedes i.e. everywhere near here.

Unfortunately, its not always safe to just 'pitch up', honestly. Also, I know the Rules and Regs may allow certain things, but not necessarily will a local take any heed of them if he /she is having a bad day!
Good news is that around here you are statistically much less likely to be a victim of crime in your tent, just a victim of nature!!!!! Enjoy!

Are we saying it's not a good idea then!

Honestly, its up to you obviously, but for me....... not a good idea! We live close to you, but out towards the 'Campo', I was just imagining what would happen if I pitched a tent out around here over night.............. (No, not the 'Duelling Banjo's' bit, the things I mentioned above!!!)
Cheers anyway!

In law wild camping in most Provincias in Spain is forbidden. We have been told that this is a hangup from the bad old days when bandits roamed the land:twisted:

In practice what you are proposing is tolerated and if the police do see you they will just ask you to ensure you are gone the next morning in the manner you suggest. This is if they decide to bother you at all.

I would assume that the nature of your walks would probably mean you were ' in the hills' rather than near a farmhouse.

Our experience with farmers has been that they can't believe we would want to do it rather than sleep in a comfy bed! Never had a problem.

The scorpions here are not too venemous nor are the snakes.If and when you see one its more of a talking point than a threat. What is a threat are Reclusive Brown Spiders which are venemous and cause necrosis around the wound.Learn about them and try and avoid them!

There are walking guides to the Castrill area and of course the Carzorla NP available at the garage in Castrill.

Many people camp in the hills as you do. I assume their pro-looking ruck sacks are full of 'gear' and not totally swally!

Enjoy

janisntony wrote:In practice what you are proposing is tolerated and if the police do see you they will just ask you to ensure you are gone the next morning in the manner you suggest. This is if they decide to bother you at all.

Would the same be true in the National Parks around here?
I have been told that in Tenerife there are police patrols specifically to stop people from camping out. Whether that is to prevent fires, prevent homelessness, reduce illegal litering or simply to force people to use hotels, I cannot say.
I agree that in these parts it is probably a different story, but Spain's version of democracy seems to be that everything is forbidden unless it's specifically allowed (compared to the UK where everything is allowed unless it's forbidden )

It is always interesting to get the differing views on things.

I had of course considered the various nasty creatures that could be on the ground or hiding away in bushes and to be fair, I have probably camped out in more dangerous environments over the years, but that's not really relevant.

It's more to do with the general attitude of the locals / law enforcement. It's fair to say that we would not be looking to camp out in somebody's back garden or field of crops, more a case of up in the hills.

I did read a report of someone walking the GR7 which goes through our area and camping out most nights along the route over several months, but this is perhaps a little more than I was thinking at the moment.

I must admit, the National Parks do interest me greatly and that would more than likely be the direction taken to begin with.

But it is always interesting to hear the various views and possibly experiences of as many people as possible.

I know to some people the thought of walking 20 miles for enjoyment seems a little crazy, without the need to take all the required gear to spend the night out in the wild.

But then so does the sound of sleeping on the roof terrace above our cave, but we do that regularly when we have a number of perfectly comfortable beds tucked away inside.

In the core areas of scientifically important Parc National like Donana and Carzorla,I would not attempt to camp as what Pete-1 has said is probably correct. However,the same is not true of the Park Natural areas.

For example,to the North East and adjoining the boundary of Carzorla is the Parc Natural area and here there are a series of Refugios built specifically for walker/campers that want to use them rather than wild camp.

In the Pyrennes you can camp above 2000m and as long as you are more than 1.5km from an organized site.

Around here there is a GR route that goes along the spine of Sierra de Orce - Santa Maria. Many sections of it are not really accessible to ordinary cars and so laying up for the night is a good option and you are most unlikely to be disturbed. Ditto the hills between Cullar-Oria-Tejola.

It's not something that's publicized much as not many people do it but,as usual,with a bit of common sense and respect, all things are possible!

All really interesting points. 'Not TOO venomous?' , those who know me will attest that I am a 'lump of a bloke', but was 'nipped' by said spider, he/she was hiding under a plastic table we were sitting at, did me for two days afterwards, swollen glands, fever etc. and that at my personal rate of dilution. Face to face with a 5 foot 'whip snake' is also on my list of nasties and there is currently a 14 stone Mastine dog running wild around here and up on the Campo, and he's an aggressive sod to boot.

Its all a personal choice, just be on your toes and armed with a first aid kit and a strong bug spray at least! Good luck!!!

Chille wrote:I did read a report of someone walking the GR7 which goes through our area and camping out most nights along the route over several months, but this is perhaps a little more than I was thinking at the moment.

Yes, I have the GR7 book (ISBN 978-1-85284-507-0 if you're interested). It does mention camping en route. Most of the walks described are less than 30km so are "hops" from one village to the next (makes sense for a trading route). It does mention camping in the Sierra de Baza and notes that "from May to November camping is allowed at the Tablas and Fuente del Pino, but is banned during the summer months ... and that you need to apply for permission"

Pete,

Thanks for that, much appreciated.

The GR7 is something I would like to take on at some point but our visits are too short and infrequent at the moment.

Camping in the summer months makes sense to be banned as its not a good idea to be lighting fires, which to be fair was not on my list of activities. Fires are a great idea for a fixed camp to keep wildlife away but not the best of plans for a quick spot of wild camping, draws far to much attention along with the many other issues.

All comments are of course taken as they are meant and everything should be weighed up in respect of ability, experience and relevant dangers together with any enjoyment that is to be had from the experience.

We do all things from time to time that have an element of risk attached, but for some reason we still do them.

I don't enjoy carrying a tent with me, but there's a number of refugios up in the sierras. Last one I stayed in had beds, pillows etc. We were quite relieved that no shepherds were also staying the night tho one rocked up at 0730 the next morning! The ones in the Sierra de Castril and Cazorla seem to be kept unlocked with open access at present.
Camping-wise, I know a number of Spanish people who camp out without problems in the Sierra Nevada natural park, but I don't know about locally.