This is a question that has brought strong reactions in the past, the strongest reactions from those against.
It is also illegal to camp outside campsites in Spain - but, for me, the Caminos are a special place. I have met quite a few 'stealth' campers over the years and not one has told me of encountering any problems camping.
What I find interesting is that those wild camping are always so relaxed - perhaps from their mental attitude or/and as they don't have to keep to any schedule of reaching a certain place at a certain time. They just seem to stroll along, enjoying what is presented to them, knowing that they can stop when they wish - takes the edge off doesn't it.
The unwritten rules of wild camping need to be remembered of course. Any farmer would be rather upset were he/she to find a tent on top of a growing crop, or campsite litter left behind, but I think that wild campers tend to be naturally careful of environment and take care to leave their stopping place as it was before they stopped.
Personally - and this is
only my opinion - I am all for it.
The
Camino Frances is the route along the Field of Stars, the Milky Way. In France there is the term 'Belle Etoile' - beautiful star. It is also slang for sleeping outdoors - to sleep under those stars :wink: