Free Camping
 

Hi there, my girlfriend and I are planning a trip from the UK through Europe and we're planning to free camp as much as possible.
The countries which we intend to travel around are The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro and Albania.
When researching whether free camping was allowed is these countries I've noticed some conflicting views on which countries do or do not allow free camping. I've also noticed that in The Netherlands there are designated free camping spots where one can set up for a max of 3 days - check out this link

http://www.poi.nu/show_album.php?alb...llow_cookies=1

I was wondering if any or you HUBBers could let me know of any similar sites you have come across in your travels or if you know of any good spots in any of those countries I've listed above? Thanks in advance!

hi,
first of all, this link is not working.
secondly, Slovenia is OK with wild camping. be only aware of natural parks where is not allowed. sometimes farmers are not happy with it so its better to ask if you are near village.
lastly, in Croatia wild camping is not allowed. in summer in turist areas there is big amount of inspectors cheking for wild campers to give them fine.

I wild camped all the way to Mongolia and back. It's a great way to travel: it's cheap and you can find some beautiful spots. I like camping near lakes and rivers so I can have a swim when its hot. Stop off at a shop before you look for a camp so you have some nice nosebag when you pitch up.

If you're new to vagabonding my advice is take at least 2 turns off the highway. Just hang about a bit before setting up, if it's too noisy, exposed or just doesn't feel right move along to somewhere else. I would suggest finding somewhere early and then if its not right or if you're found and asked to move on then you still have plenty of time to find another spot.

Out of site is out of mind, try to find somewhere discreet and cover your bike if necessary to prevent your shiny bits attracting passers by. Try not to camp near towns or villages as you're probably more likey to be seen by undesirables. If someone stumbles upon you, ramblers and or farmers for example, they'll most likely not give a dam, they'll probably chat for a bit and be on their way.

Discreet also means no loud music or engine revving and no raging camp fires unless there's a designated spot for it. Some areas prohibit fires anyway. It should go without saying but if you are found by the owner be polite and reassuring and they'll probably give you permission to stay anyway.

I like to be off early but either way leave the site as you found it, take your rubbish with you, and or burn/bury waste. Most importantly, drop the fear and paranoia as early as you can, nobody is out to get you. When you do this you'll start to enjoy it much sooner and much more. It'll soon be no become second nature and you won't think twice. Some wild camps will be better than others. Don't be afraid of people, sometimes it'll lead to great things.

You can use a tent, a hammock, a bivvy bag or just lie on the ground next to your bike, either way wild camping is simple - it' not a big deal. You don't have to be rambo and have camouflage gear, just use your common sense. If you or you're people are worried use a spot device and send an 'okay' message when you set up camp to let folks know you've stopped and found a spot to camp for the night.

Have fun and bon voyage.

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...a/IMG_1739.jpg
A swim is a great way to revitalise and freshen up.., somewhere in north east austria

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...n/DSCF0307.jpg
A late arrival meant putting up with the noisy train every 30 mins as it was too late to find somewhere else... champagne region, france

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...n/DSCF0309.jpg
But I was treated to a beautiful sunrise.

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...a/IMG_1032.jpg
I met a woman at a petrol statio who told me of a bike festival on the beach, how could i refuse. adriatic, croatia

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...y/DSCF0338.jpg
I don't know if they call it the black forest coz it's dark but it was eery, although the soft pine forest floor was comfy.

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...a/DSCF0955.jpg
When there's no trees a dry river bed with a view will have to do... mongolia

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...a/DSCF0846.jpg
I live camping storms, i love the rain beating a retreat on the tent... Mongolia

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_1789.jpg
sometimes a battlefield is great too... ginkel heath arnhem

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...d/DSCF0325.jpg
alpine riverside camp switerland

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...a/DSCF0803.jpg
Semi-wild campsite where people just turn up, you canlite a fire here... siberia

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...a/IMG_1204.jpg
A walter colebatch site from his POIs, not far from the road behind some big bushes... Siberia

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...a/IMG_1202.jpg
sunrise or sunset? Siberia

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...a/IMG_1301.jpg
my siberian dell, no pixies or fairies but a decent place not far from the road but good enough for some rest after a long hard day in the saddle

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...a/DSCF0739.jpg
Found by a siberian shepherd, gave him a fag and some whiskey and a big smile and he was cool with me pitching on his patch.

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...a/IMG_1268.jpg
another siberian forest

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...a/IMG_1265.jpg
Remember our bug spray and head net, the bugs can be a PITA

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...a/DSCF0735.jpg
Huge fresh water lake with a paying campsite that I blagged myself on to for free.

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...a/DSCF0733.jpg
unusual semi-wild-urban campsite in Siberia

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...a/DSCF0640.jpg
Cover up at night... it's up to you? russia

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...a/IMG_1113.jpg
no swimming in this fishing lake... russia

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...a/IMG_1115.jpg
if you meet others camp together. russia

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...a/IMG_1134.jpg
sometimes you can break the rules... russia

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/...a/DSCF0736.jpgsometimes people will find you and you'll end up drinking vodka all night... russia

Did you come across this thread?
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ping-add-48706
I know that there is comment in there about the Netherlands.

Thanks for the reply guys. Steven, thanks for the great advise and those pictures are inspirational. Walkabout- I have stumbled across that thread before and it prompted my comment about their being conflicting views on which countries did or did not allow camping. There is a comment about free camping being illegal in The Netherlands but I have found a website showing designated free camping sites. P4jk, try the link again - it works fine for me.
My main reason for starting a new thread was to try to hone in on actual places or sites where people have free camped and could share some of these locations.