How to truly explore Europe?
Posted by Epic_Fastzz@reddit | overlanding | View on Reddit | 7 comments
Hi guys, pretty much what the title says but I'll add some context. I own a Prado 120 pretty much configured how we want it to go camping. Me and my girlfriend drive to campings regularly where we then stay for a couple of nights. I have done some offroading and I know this website where you can buy roadbooks which are lovely. But we are looking to roadtrip through Europe and possibly camp wherever we can. Although I have some questions about this. Wild camping is illegal as far as I know so how do I find these beautiful spots I see passing by regularly? Also how do I find the "wild" routes and forest trails? Thanks alot for any tips and the help, this might've been asked before but every time I look it up I get swarmed with adds that are pretty much useless. Btw we're based in Belgium.
SWP_NL@reddit
I've been travelling Europe by 4x4 for quite some time now, and best advice I can give: use Google maps satellite images to find spots, start using opensource maps for linking public trails and create your own gpx tracks. Use Gaia, alltrails, iOverlander and camp4night extensively.
Regarding laws and rules: its a big puzzle, some regions within a country will allow short stays, some will have very repressive laws. It pays off to read up well but mainly: be mindfull about what you are doing. In most 3 week+ trips i take, i stay in a paid campsite for maybe 3-4 nights. I dont go to touristy towns in high season, I skip them completely or take a half day detour to go there.
It's really made out to be this incredibly hard thing, but realistically, if you are mindfull about your surroundings, a lot is possible.
Striking-Meet-5137@reddit
Spot on about the apps - iOverlander is clutch for finding those hidden gems other overlanders have already vetted. The mindfulness part can't be stressed enough though - I've seen too many people ruin good spots by leaving trash or setting up right next to busy hiking trails. Pack it in, pack it out, and try to leave before dawn if you're somewhere sketchy legally.
Offroadfahrer@reddit
Ask local farmers or other people who own property if you can camp on their property for one or more nights. This is permitted in any country on private property with the owner's permission. When it comes to navigation, try using traditional paper hiking maps. When you enter a country, the first thing you do is get a few hiking maps of the region you want to explore. Experience has shown that the maps that you buy directly on site are the most accurate.
Offroadfahrer@reddit
Frage ortsansässige Bauern oder andere Leute mit Grundstückseigentum ob du auf ihren Grundstücken eine oder mehrere Nächte campen darfst. Auf Privatgrundstücken mit der Erlaubnis des Eigentümers ist das in jedem Land erlaubt. Was die Navigation betrifft, versuche es mal mit herkömmlichen Wanderkarten aus Papier. Wenn du in ein Land einreist besorgst du die als erstes ein paar Wanderkarten aus der Region welche du erkunden willst. Die Karten welche man direkt vor Ort kauft sind erfahrungsgemäß am genauesten.
ramesesmmx@reddit
You can join local off-roading communities, veterans there share detailed roadbooks with hidden forest trails and viewpoints that beat the crowded tourist spots.
Galax8811@reddit
The law varies greatly from country to country regarding wild camping. In Nordic countries, it's literally written into the law that camping is legal, whereas in France or Greece, it's theoretically forbidden everywhere. But generally, if you're in a non-touristy area, arrive in the evening and leave in the morning, aren't camping in someone's garden, don't light a fire (especially in southern countries), and don't leave any trash or damage the landscape, nobody cares. I follow this rule and camp pretty much everywhere; I've never had a visit from the police, let alone received a fine.
It's mainly a question of location. In France, for example, if you camp in a beach parking lot on the west coast in the summer, you're guaranteed a visit from the police and a fine. But in the mountains of the Massif Central, at the end of a path, it's likely that if a police officer sees you, they'll just say hello.
CalifOregonia@reddit
From what I have heard you will really need to research country by country. For example Portugal is pretty strict about wild camping, while Spain offers some opportunities to do it. Going to be hard for anyone on here to give you an all encompassing answer.
I plan on doing this someday and expect to spend a lot of time at organized campgrounds outside of small towns.