Basque wild/free camping - is it done??
 

Kaixo lagunak,

I'd like to know how realistic it is to travel for several days in a row only pitching a tent in the wild. I am used to responsible camping, with respect for the land as a priority.

I live in Scotland, where wild camping is legal almost everywhere if you are considerate and super careful with fire (only lighting fires on riverbanks, basically).

I am organising a solo trip to the area around Bilbao and Vitoria in April/May. I will be working my way around by helping on 2 farms, hopefully. I am trying to decide how long the gaps between farms should be! If the wild camping is very restricted I will try to get from one to the other within 2 days. Otherwise I may leave 5 or 6.

(I can't really afford many nights in proper campsites, and I don't enjoy them much.)

Would really appreciate any insights regarding the actual law, the practical opportunities, even good spots if you know them!

Many thanks and regards, Arren x

I have travelled across Spain to Portugal many many times over the last 35 years, frequently camping wild as I went. I have never encountered any problems. Spain is relatively under populated, although the region you mention probably has a greater density of people than some others. Nevertheless, you should find plenty of opportunities to stealth camp. On rare occasions when my campsite has been discovered, locals have been friendly. If you are used to wild camping and pay due respect to your surroundings you should not have any problems. As to the legal situation, I am not sure. The only word of warning I can give, is that there are many bush fires in Spain, especially in the summer and the Spanish are very sensitive about this. Lighting fires can get you in serious trouble, so best not go there.
The other piece of advice I would offer is when planning your route is to ride the small regional roads. These are often empty of traffic, by far the most fun to ride and provide the best opportunity to find great camping
Enjoy the trip.

Lightning fires it is absolutely restricted in Spain.

Interested to know
 

Hi there
I have seen a few biking video's shot in Spain with rough camping attracting little or no attention. I will be interested to hear how you get on as I am planning a similar trip and would love to camp on my own in some wonderful places across Spain

Good luck and please let us know how it goes. Ben

Some years ago I went on the little roads from St jean pied de port in France to campo.

These mostly follow the streams and small rivers flowing from the mountains. There are lots of little secluded spaces along there where you can camp beside drinking quality water. some fish also :) but do not jump in to swim, just a mile or two before, that water was snow :)

if no one sees you you wont be hassled, another reason not to light fires.

Kaixo,
Free camping in the basque country is neither legal nor usual; anyway, in case of being caught nothing wrong would happen apart from being invited to abandon the place.
I'm from Bilbao, and I know these things are not similarly seen when you are a local or an adventurer traveler; if I were the traveler, maybe I wouldn't follow my advice.
Let me know if you need any other thing.
Agur.



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Free camping in Basque Country
 

Good Morning,
Free camping is not possible in the Basque Country. In Spain free camping is prohibited. The reasons are reasons to restrict health and ensure personal and national security. This has led to that today there is a very restrictive regulations.

Although there are some exceptions. At peak times, with permission from local authorities, maybe you can achieve authorization. The criteria used to grant this permit is the activity intended to be effected, how and who. But get it is almost mission impossible. such a high level of environmental responsibility in practice is very difficult to be granted required

My advice is if you are staying a few days, learn the rules to follow in the locality where you want to camp and try to request an application for free camping. Failure to obtain it go camping. Certainly not light any fire, because in that case you might have trouble with the police. If you choose to finally free camping, better away from view to go unnoticed. I do not advise a fire.

See you

Kenedy