Wild Camping

By Adventure Crazy

The perfect outdoor activity for a healthy mind and body.

 

Venture into the unknown and enjoy natural surroundings on an incredible wild camping adventure.

 

Take in new experiences to satisfy your physical and spiritual self, and enjoy the relative freedom to choose a camping location that suits your needs.

 

"Wild Camping" will take you on a step-by-step journey to acquaint you with all aspects of this thrilling pursuit.

 

You will learn how to plan, pack the things you will need, locate the ideal campsite, stay healthy, safety and security. Erect your tent, prepare a fire and cooking, and leave your surroundings just how you found them. And so much more.

 

We include advice for backpackers, cycle tourists, campervan travellers, and those who want a more stealthy experience.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Adventure Crazy
• Release date: Jan 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393232636

Book preview

1

Introduction

Wild camping is a thrilling pursuit. It appeals to those adventurers who are always on the lookout for an eco-friendly expedition into the beauty of the natural world. Although the planning may seem rather detailed to start with, wild camping is quite simple. Furthermore, the experience will encourage you to travel further into the wilderness; the peace and loveliness of nature inspires most of us to explore the unknown.

Several laws govern wild camping. You need the landowner’s permission to be able to set up your campsite. You don’t want to set up camp in a place where you may be inadvertently trespassing onto another individual’s property. Legal complexities mostly stem from the differences in legal constraints in geographically dispersed regions.

Wild camping is also known as freedom camping, dry camping, or free camping. The term wild camping may mean different things to different people. For some, it may mean staying in a recreational vehicle and enjoying a relaxed stay off the beaten track. For others, it can be much more of an adventure, hiking, cycling, or travelling in other ways to a remote location and setting up a hammock, bivvy bag, or tent, and experiencing the essences of nature. The qualities you require to be a wild camper are self-reliance, safety, and environmental responsibility. Individuals planning on wild camping must understand the risks. They must organise soundly and make preparations for the journey and the campsite.

Throughout this book, we will regularly remind you of the many essential aspects of wild camping. This way, you’ll get the best from a wild camping adventure and return home safely. You will be wild camping in the safest and most enjoyable ways before you know it.

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Overview of places to camp

An important concept to understand is the right to access. This refers to setting up your tent anywhere in an uncultivated place. Sometimes, you don’t have a choice but to go to a campsite designated for the purpose. At other times, you may choose to camp on, or along, a roadside if the country permits this. Here are some examples:

Europe

European rules and regulations on wild camping can vary. France allows wild camping on private land and requires the consent of the owner. Sweden allows wild camping for a couple of days. In England and Wales, the land is mostly privately owned, and landowners are mainly responsible for allowing earnest campers. Dartmoor National Park usually allows wild camping, but on occasion enforces temporary bans, as is the case in many areas throughout the UK. Scotland permits wild camping for a few days. Technically, even though wild camping in Scotland is not outright banned, it is still essential to check up to date rules and regulations. It is a good idea to check the latest mandates for any country where you plan to camp. In Norway, wild camping is allowed in all places that have the right to roam and access. Romania also allows wild camping. But permission must still be granted by the landowner. Wild camping is legal in Turkey, and Slovakia allows it only in certain areas.

In Ireland, Spain, France, and Portugal, the rules are similar to Wales and England. It is not a good idea to camp on private land without the permission of the local landowner. You cannot camp in regional and national natural parks; this is for the protection of wildlife. Wild camping is also not tolerated in Germany and Italy.

USA and Canada

In Canada and the USA, national, local, and state governments oversee the management of land. It is essential to perform research about the landowner before settling for a place to wild camp. You need to make sure you are not trespassing on anyone’s land. In BLM (Bureau of Land Management) or Forest Service areas, wild camping is known as dispersed camping.

New Zealand and Australia

In New Zealand and Australia, you could receive a fine if you set up your camp in the wrong place. Australia has different rules for each of its states. Finding land without restrictions is difficult. Only those areas designated as rest areas may be utilised for camping. That being said, camping is still very much a national pastime in these countries.

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Legal implications of wild camping

The Land Reform Act of 2003 allows non-motorised public access in Scotland. Camping on unenclosed land is permitted legally. A few restrictions exist on overnight camping. You are likely to receive the most information from the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. There is no wild camping law about being able to set up your camp on the property of another individual in the UK. The current legislation in the UK rules pertains mostly to what gipsies, migratory groups, and travellers are supposed to do concerning parking on land along with caravans and vehicles. Any attempts to trespass on a specific area of land would fall under a civil offence.

Wales, England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland have very different rules and regulations related to the practice. Most land in England and Wales is owned by either a company, an individual, or am organisation. Pitching a tent, bivvy bag, or hammock without the owner’s permission is regarded as trespassing.

The Right to Roam was prominent legislation that mandated large areas of land to be open to public access. In Scotland, the Scottish Outdoor Access Code is the legal framework determining land access in Scotland. The basis of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code is the Land Reform Act of Scotland and defines the right to access water and land.

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Do your research

We have mentioned just a few countries here to give you a guide to what you need to look out for in a specific country’s laws, rules, regulations. Circumstances can and do change. So no matter where you are in the world, always do your research for up-to-date information.

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Planning and preparation

Planning is an essential aspect because of unexpected weather changes. These can make paths and trails impassable, and rivers can swell unexpectedly. Perform initial feasibility analysis with the intended national park or location you plan to visit and plot your route using a map. Also, pick out potential camping spots and consider the duration of your proposed trip.

Freedom camping may mean different things, depending on your destination. It may either mean pitching in a back-to-nature campsite featuring necessary and simple facilities or choosing a spot amid large tracts of wilderness. You are at an advantage when you perform research and also seek advice from local authorities.

Being self-sufficient is an essential aspect of wild camping. You are less likely to find any shops in the vicinity to fulfil your basic needs. Therefore, it’s crucial to carry sufficient food to last an extra night or two in case of emergency. To make sure you do not forget any essential items, prepare a checklist. Include cooking fuel, waterproof tent, outdoor clothing, camp stove, utensils, and the like. Also carry matches and lighter, first-aid kit, and spare batteries. Duct tape, cable ties, and penknife are also among the essentials.

When setting out on a wild camping adventure, it’s vital to research laws in every location you want to organise your camp. You don’t want to pitch your tent if you are not allowed to do so in a specific area. Being fined by the local police will naturally lower your spirits and disincline you to continue with the pastime!

There are several preparations you need to make. These include lighting a fire, getting access to a water source, understanding dangers from animals, getting to know local laws, and acquainting yourself with the weather in specific places.

Regarding food, two of the most common preferences among campers are dehydrated food and wet food. Wet food is a good idea, as you can often eat it hot or cold, and it already contains liquids. Canned food generally has a long life, and you needn’t worry about it getting spoilt, even if you plan a long wild camping trip. A disadvantage is it can be heavy to carry. Most stores also have the ‘boil in the bag’ food that you may place in the saucepan along with water. The hot water may be consumed as a hot drink later. Another choice is dehydrated, dry food. You should rehydrate it before consuming it by just adding water. When deciding on the selection of food you want to carry along, consider that tinned and other wet foods are usually weighty. Keeping weight minimal on your camping trip is essential.

You also have other options when it comes to food. When you run out of food, stop by a restaurant, pick up what you like, and consume cold and light meals when you are at your campsite. Cook food on your stove when it is convenient to do so, as there is nothing quite like a hot meal when camping. Other options available for your wild camping adventure include fishing and foraging.

Equip yourself with a water filtration system. There are many suitable water filtration systems available on the market. Water purification systems help eliminate or neutralise bacteria and provide safe drinking water by recycling water from a water source such as a flowing river. UV light pens are a great way to save space while travelling light. They are simple to use and can help make water safe for drinking.

A gas or multi-fuel stove is a must-have. You want to make sure you carry out clean and hygienic cooking. There are many stoves available on the market that are inexpensive, windproof, and have reliable regulators. Compact gas bottles are relatively easy to come by with the more popular stoves, but multi-fuel stoves are far more versatile. They allow you to burn kerosene and some other flammable liquids.

You may also face risks due to animals and insects, so you should find out more about the wild animals in the areas you’re exploring.

To get rid of waste, pack unscented toilet paper, dog-poop bags, and a trowel. You want to get rid of food waste properly. Animals, including rodents and animals that can cause physical harm, can smell the food from great distances and cause problems. Tying food and smelly products in a bag and up in a tree a reasonable distance from the camp is a good practice.

For emergencies, you might want to also rely on either a GPS or Satellite Phone. Download or print maps beforehand, in case of low or no mobile phone signal. Make sure you keep your mobile phone fully charged and consider taking a second phone that will take the original phone’s SIM card, in case the first phone becomes damaged. Save the second one for emergencies. If you need to take photos or video, use a separate device. Even if you are out of range, your mobile phone is beneficial the moment you can detect a signal.

The tent you carry for wild camping should be light, waterproof, and easy and quick to erect. Tents can be expensive and inconvenient to pitch and dismantle, so choose wisely and don’t skimp on quality. You don’t want a bright-coloured tent. It would be best if you remained as discreet as possible, so choose dark colours or camouflage patterns.

Thin and waterproof bivvy bags are also an excellent