With all those gun toutting cowboys would anyone really want to risk camping on private land in Texas, if nothing but for the fear of being shot.

Same goes for asking for help, you're better of not going onto private land unless you have a bullet-proof vest or a death wish.

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TurboCharger + Francois (our BMW R1200gs) '07
www.riding2up.net, blog.riding2up.net

Hungary: Wild camping is allowed. Easiest thing is to ask locals to pitch in their gardens.. most of them are really helpful. Sometimes you will be offered a spare bed too, especially when it's cold outside or raining.

We just did a three week trip around Europe with a landcruiser and roof tent. Tried to freecamp as much as poss-harder than it sounds!
France- easy to freecamp at the Aires on the toll motorways - we did this twice, no probs.
Switzerland- freecamped near Feischalp, there are houses everywhere, hard to get away.

Italy - free camped in a car park with some Mohos, and another time in a quarry or something beside a dam (hidden from the road on a Forest road), oh and another time in the dolomites in this huge carpark up a side valley - we put our tent up during the day to dry it and no-one battered an eyelid, so we stayed the night.

Slovenia-not as easy as we thought it would be - there are quite a few signs etc. We camped high up the side of a valley above Bovec, amazing view!! There was even a Porto-a-loo. Didn't try anywhere else.

We are heading down through Middle east and then east coast of Africa next year so def keen to hear about free camping on the way, particularly gps co-ords!!

Great thread, thanks!!

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Ness | two turkeys and a rope | www.greenturkey.co.nz

India Have camped in the great thar desert and other national parks (make sure they're not tiger sanctuarys )
Don't know if its allowed, even if it was, you would probably still get fined (baksheesh )

Anyone knows about freecamping in Portugal and Spain?
And how about Andorra?

Niklas

Spain is a no go free camping thing

The Netherlands is definately a no go for free camping. Police will sure find you and fine you.........

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My kingdome for a bike

Lots of places to "Camp Free in BC" (in fact a book by that "title") ...Terrific twisties too !

Just to clarify, wild camping in Scotland has been legal since 2003 (and was generally tolerated before that).

From the Scottish Outdoor Access Code

Unfortunately I can also confirm it is illegal in the rest of the United Kingdom. As mentioned before it is generally accepted in upland and mountain regions but this usually means well away from the beaten track (not helpfull if on a bike).

In England and Wales there are a number of unsurfaced roads, shown on Ordnance Survey Maps and known as Byways, or more correctly Byways Open to All Traffic (usually abreviated to BOAT) as well as Unclassified County Roads (Usually marked on OS Maps as ORPA - Other Route with Public Access) these do open up the potential for camping away from civilisation but at the "road side", so quite legal to arrive by motor vehicle.

These routes can be found on TrailWise - The National Catalogue of Rights of Way with additional access information.

As mentioned this is not legal but if you stick to a policy of "arrive late, leave early" and avoid camping near properties you are usually OK. Just don't tell anyone I told you it was OK

It's a policy I have used several times sleeping in my Land Rover (OK a lot more "covert" than pitching a tent) but it is an option.

Hope that helps.

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Mad Cow

Oh yes I forgot to mention the standard "excuse"

"i'm sorry I had to pitch my tent here but I broke down yesterday and it got too dark to fix the bike"

Then fiddle with the electrics under the seat (or bonnet/hood) for a couple of minutes and then pronouce the problem solved, pack up and get on your way.

It does work... honest!

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Mad Cow

Anyone know about Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Croatia?

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Cheers Dan
gettinglostagain.com

IRELAND:

Most land is privately or government owned -what else is there?

Camping on private land is not allowed, but if you ask permission you will probably get it -if you can find the owner.

Camping on public land/forests is not usually allowed but the chances of being caught are small as long as you are only staying a night (or two).

In less popular areas you will be OK, but generally if there are tents, you're OK, if there aren't use your judgement.

As a foreigner, pleading ignorance should work!

Maybe this should be a new thread..

n48.43740 w001.32.16

This is an excellent free campsite, along the A84 TOWARDS Caen.

I have started to list some of my spots, but as i know where they are it did not seem necessary..

the rule, be innocuous and remove all your litter to the bins.

would be nice to have a list of campsites and their approximate positions.

Malaysia is easy places everywhere to camp and no hassles, Northern Thailand was easy but suggest the border areas you ask at the Army checkpoints as they have toilet facilities and they enjoy the company very hospitable and friendly guys ..... they must be bored to death just sitting all the time.

Can't speak about The Netherlands but Spain is definitely OK for free camping - despite considerble differences of opinion - already in evidence on this great thread!

Free camping is essentailly legal in Spain, as long as it's for one night, i.e. you pitch in the evening and you move on in the morning - it should really be in the sense or spirit of 'bivouac' as mentioned earlier. But this is subject to numerous local restrictions, which is one reason for the controversy I guess.

Another reason is that the various police forces do check up on people free camping for various reason, mainly security of rural properties and in the case of the Basque Country and Navarre where security is tight due to the (ongoing) ETA terrost issue. Nobody likes to be woken up at the end of a Guardia Civil gun barrel, like we used to hear about during the Franco period (1939-75 - a bit before my time, but only a little bit!), but I can't imagine that happening now.

I've long wondered that part of the misunderstanding is if the police use the term "mañana por la mañana" as mañana means both 'tomorrow' and 'morning', so people who don't speak more than rudementary Spanish will misinterpret the strength of the emphasis.

The issue is complicated - so much so that I've devoted a specific page to it on my Spain blog/guide!

Can't speak for Andorra though, it's never occured to me before, but I'll find out next time I'm there - I live about 70k away - aren't I lucky!

Enjoy

Simon

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The Spanish Biker - the invaluable guide to motorcycling in Spain.

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POLAND: you can camp wherewer you want (but polish people never do that, they will think you are little odd) except private grounds, like farmer's field. Any marked parking site by the road you can use as campsite if you want (i'm from poland and personally i don't think it's a very safe option to camp wild in remote places)
And remember: it's not allowed to drive in the forests, except the marked road to the village or town. generally dont drive forest roads - you will pay fine.