- CHECK LOCAL LAWS
Wild camping means pitching
up in an untamed, non-campsite
environment. In many countries
and regions, it’s a no-no. That
said, convention dictates that
people still fl agrantly do it in
some places. In the UK, Scotland
o ers endless legal wild camping
terrain, but it’s largely illegal
elsewhere. That said, if you get
permission from the landowner
and follow camper’s etiquette
(see below), there are lots of
places in the UK where you
can wild camp. - FOLLOW ETIQUETTE
Be courteous, arrive at your
destination late in the day and
leave early doors, before walkers
or farmers trip over you, leaving
nothing behind. Don’t light a
fi re unless you’re sure it’s safe/
legal (carrying a stove means you
shouldn’t need to light a camp
fi re). Always camp on high ground
and keep your site discreet. - KNOW THE LIE OF THE LAND
In exotic, wilderness areas, where
you’re miles from the nearest town,
you want to know what’s a risky
spot. When setting up camp, check
the ground for holes and crevices
where spiders or scorpions might
be lurking before laying a tarp.
Dry riverbeds may make great fl at
camping spots, but ensure fl ash
fl ooding isn’t a possibility. - TRAVEL LIGHT
You need to be self-su cient but
the whole idea of wild camping
is to get back to basics and feel
free. The very basic wild camping
essentials are: a tent or other
shelter; sleeping bag and mat;
compact stove, pot and spoon;
basic food and water bottle; torch
and compass; and a rucksack
lined with a drybag. The clothes
you hike in are enough, plus an
extra layer and hat.- TENT OR BIVVY BAG?
You don’t need a tent to stay
outdoors. From zip-up suspended
hammocks to lightweight bivvy
bags (a sleeping bag with an inbuilt
mat), there are lots of options.
However, in certain exotic camp
spots you may need a tent to
keep bugs and beasties at a safer
distance. Keep your provisions
sealed and away from sleeping
areas. Snakes, for example, aren’t
keen on human food but love to
eat reptiles and insects that are
attracted to food waste. - GRIN AND BEAR IT
If you’re camping in the US or
anywhere else that’s home to
brown, black or grizzly bears,
anything that smells makes you
a sitting duck. Most US national
parks that allow wild camping will
have a bear locker at the trailhead
to dump stu you don’t need
overnight (and this should include
highly perfumed cosmetics/
toiletries). The rest should go in
a bear canister — a tight cylinder
with a Pooh-proof lid. - GO NORTH, MY FRIEND
Wild camping in Norway and
Sweden is considered a human
right. Allemannsretten (right of
public access for all, enshrined in
law) means it’s easy to fi nd a wild
pitch throughout both countries.
Pick your season carefully to
avoid a plague of biting fl ies, and
go north for the most dramatic
destinations. Anywhere inside
the Arctic Circle comes with
the bonus of sleeping under the
midnight sun. SARAH BARRELL
FOR WOODLAND CAMPING
DD Frontline Hammock.
RRP: £52. ddhammocks.comFOR LIGHTWEIGHT PROTECTION
Hunka XL bivvy bag.
RRP: £40. alpkit.comFOR EXTRA COVER
Nordisk Voss Diamond Sl.
RRP: £90. trekitt.co.ukFOR A TENT ALTERNATIVE
Terra Nova Jupiter Bivi.
RRP: £300. terra-nova.co.ukCHECKLIST:
SLEEPING IN THE WILDGO WILD CAMPING
GLAMPING? SO LAST
DECADE. FORGET CANVAS
BELL TENTS, IN FACT
FORGET CANVAS ENTIRELY
IF YOU LIKE AND GO WILD
CAMPING TO ENJOY THE
BIG OUTDOORS IN THE
PUREST WAY POSSIBLE7 ways to
50 metres...
...from water sources.
This is the ideal loo location
(also downstream from
other camp spots). Also
dig a loo hole 20cm
deep if you can, and carry
paper out with
your rubbish.2
The number of places
where it’s legal to
wild camp in England:
the Lake District
and Dartmoor
National Park.
lakedistrict.gov.uk
dartmoor.gov.uk100 metres
The distance you need
to be from a road to wild
camp in Scotland.Zero
Wild camping is free — that
means zero pounds spent.WILD CAMPING
in numbersIMAGE: GETTY160 natgeotraveller.co.uk
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