Possibility to tent on the trail?

[BeatriceKarjalainen]

Is it possible at all to tent along the Camino? I love the freedom I get using my tent here in Sweden but If I have to find and check in to camp sites I guess I could just go for the pilgrim lodging all the time.

Was thinking of bringing the tent and use it if I want to stop between villages.

 

[Hittheroadjack]

Hello again!

Yes. Many pilgrims do and on my first Camino Frances (which I completed on St. James' day and therefore was at a peak time of the season) I bought a tent with a few other pilgrims in Leon. We didn't like the rush of other pilgrims to queue outside albergues from 10-11am (having started at 3-4am)!

Recently I believe I read that there is a law in Spain saying you can't camp within 1km ( perhaps 2k) from a camp sight. Other than that you're fine for 1 night apparently.

I think a tent could be a fine addition to your kit but only if you use it! Just be carful. Forest fires devastate Spain every year.

 

[whariwharangi]

Apparently Camino Norte and Via de la Plata are more amenable to tenting than the Camino Frances.

Its possible ... but the possibilities are limited. Many sites suitable for a tent don't have water and are full of trash.

 

[blaneymarine]

Last fall, (Sept. Oct. 2012) I camped all along the Norte alternating between alberges, hotels and rough camping (No Fires!). It gave me a wonderfull flexability.
Dave From Rhode Island

 

[Anniesantiago]

I often carry a screen rent and sleep out if the Albergue is too perfumed. I pay the fee so I can use the shower and kitchen. Sometimes they insist on not collecting but for me it is more for my comfort than my pocketbook. I've never been turned down when I've asked to camp in the Albergue yard.

You also might enjoy reading lovingkindness's gorgeous thread. She camped much of the way, on and off. The photos and descriptions are spectacular b

 

[Corwen]

Plenty of places to camp, we walked fro home (Dorset) via Weymouth/St Malo ferry, camped all the way until Dax and then used some refugios until Estella. Used all refugios from there and sent tent home, but bought a new one in Sarria as it was so crowded. Used the tent then for last week to Finisterre. If I was doing camino again I would take the lightest tent I could find (1 kilo or less) so I'd always have backup accommodation/peace and quiet, though you must get the weight of everything else right down, don't carry more than the magic 6 kilos if you can avoid it.

 

[BeatriceKarjalainen]

Thanks for all your replies. I have jsut decided to not bring my tent. 1.5 kg, instead I'll use that weight for my camera and som other stuff

I guess I'll miss my tent when I wake up in the middle of the night and hear people snore all over the place.

But I still have 6 weeks to change my mind again.

 

[Jochen-Schmidtke]

Re: Possibility to tent on the trail? Yes!

Hello.
Here you can download a list of camping places along the Camino.
But I warn you of wild camping! It is forbidden. And also dangerous.
In the open filds are some feral dogs! And mind you: There may be hunters shooting in the fields. Quite a few of them are not very experienced in shooting!
Buen Camino
Jochen

 

[Alyssa]

Thanks for all your replies. I have jsut decided to not bring my tent. 1.5 kg, instead I'll use that weight for my camera and som other stuff

I guess I'll miss my tent when I wake up in the middle of the night and hear people snore all over the place.

But I still have 6 weeks to change my mind again.

Hi, Did you end up taking the tent? If not, did you wish that you had? I am noise and perfume-sensitive and am thinking having a tent to sleep in the yard at alburgues (per AnnieSantiago's experience) might be a good idea. ~Alyssa