Let’s go over 10 wild camping tips for wild camping in Europe that I’ve gathered over the years from wild camping in Norway Sweden Finland the baltics Spain France and Italy. Wild camping in Europe has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my travels, offering a unique sense of freedom and connection to nature. Over the years, I’ve explored breathtaking spots in Norway’s fjords, Sweden’s serene forests, and Spain’s rugged coastlines. Each adventure taught me valuable lessons from understanding local camping laws to finding the perfect secluded spot. These experiences have shaped not only my appreciation for Europe’s diverse landscapes but also my approach to camping responsibly. Let me share the top 10 tips I’ve gathered to help you enjoy wild camping to the fullest.
Stealth and Visibility
1. Use a Small Tent
Tip number one is to use a very small tent. Ideally a single person tent but honestly it’s also fine if you go with a two person tent this will all you to build your tent in slightly tighter spaces maybe between a few bushes which aren’t visible from a distance and that is really good if you aren’t sure whether wild camping is allowed in this specific region.
2. Choose Neutral Tent Colors
Always use a tent in green brown or gray color and avoid tents that are made with bright colors because those are incredibly visible from a distance.
3. Pick a Hidden Campsite
When looking for a potential campsite make sure that it isn’t easily visible from the trail that you’re hiking. Also make sure that it isn’t visible from other points of interest where other hikers might come early in the morning or near Fields where the farmers might come early in the morning to grade their animals.
You should ideally set it up somewhere where it’s hidden between some trees or some bushes or you could also set it up right at the edge of the field where the tree starts because from a distance it won’t be that visible. However I would avoid setting it up under beach trees which are very common in Central Europe because they have very long and brittle branches that fall off very easily and they could fall on your tent.
Timing and Setup
4. Plan Campsite Early
When hiking start looking for a potential campsite at least 2 hours before the sunset. And when you find one do not set up your tent immediately and instead cook your dinner first and wait until the sun is starting to set. If you do this in a very remote area especially up in higher altitudes and the chances of you encountering someone except for maybe other people who are wild camping are pretty much close to zero.
5. Hiking Solo
Hiking Solo or only with your partner means that you’ll be making less noise in the evening and in the morning the times when you’re most likely to get caught that you’ll be able to select better campsites and the campsites will be more Hidden Away From a Distance. So depending on where I’m wild camping and the local laws ideally I want to Wild Camp Solo or not in a group that’s bigger than two or three people.
Safety and Local Rules
6. Avoid Making Fires
Unless you’re wild camping in Scandinavia I would avoid setting up a fire because usually in Europe they’re prohibited and also they offer a very good way of attracting unwanted attention.
7. Use a Red Light Headlamp
I would also recommend getting a headlamp with and also a red light setting. That’s because red light is much less visible from a distance. If I’m camping in an area that isn’t as remote As I want it to be in the evening when its dark I usually use the red light setting or I set the lowest setting and point the headlamp downwards so that it isn’t very visible from a distance.
8. Handle Food Safely
To avoid encountering any wild boars and foxes in Central and Western Europe and bears in Eastern and Northern Europe do not cook your food right next to the tent cook it at least 50 m away from the tent and always hang your food in a dry sock at least 50 m away from the tent in a tree. If you’re hiking in Bear Country you should also probably use a bear canister and do a much better job at hanging the food in the tree but honestly there aren’t a lot of bears in Europe so it wouldn’t be your main concern unless you’re hiking in maybe Romania or Finland.
Respect Nature
9. Follow Leave No Trace
To avoid encountering any wild boars and foxes in Central and Western Europe and bears in Eastern and Northern Europe do not cook your food right next to the tent cook it at least 50 m away from the tent and always hang your food in a dry sock at least 50 m away from the tent in a tree. If you’re hiking in Bear Country you should also probably use a bear canister and do a much better job at hanging the food in the tree but honestly there aren’t a lot of bears in Europe so it wouldn’t be your main concern unless you’re hiking in maybe Romania or Finland.
Backup Options
10. Utilize Mountain Refuges
And lastly a lot of mountains in Europe are filled with Refugios Biovac and Mountain Huts they’re usually small abandoned houses that only pretty much offer roof over your head and not much extra which are completely legal to use and anyone can use them. If you’re using a hiking app for navigating they’re usually marked on the map so you can find them that way. But keep in mind that not all of them will be in a good condition some of them will be paid Refugios and some of them might be locked so do not rely on them always and always bring a tent as a backup.
Final Thoughts
Wild camping in Europe is an exhilarating way to immerse yourself in the continent’s breathtaking landscapes while embracing freedom and solitude. However, it’s crucial to balance adventure with responsibility. By respecting local laws, following Leave No Trace principles, and preparing wisely, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Whether you’re exploring Scandinavia’s untouched wilderness or the scenic trails of Southern Europe, wild camping offers memories that last a lifetime. For more tips and insights, check out my previous blog, Wild Camping: Embrace the Untamed Adventure in 2024. If you have any other tips please share them down in the comment.