Sleeping outdoors on the camino frances!

[Leanne]

Hello lovely people.
I wanted to ask anybody who has done the camino before if they have ever slept outside? Tentless and with perhaps just a sleeping bag and a bivvy bag. I dont mind sleeping outdoors and the money it could save would be great.
Just wanted to know if its a done thing at all and perhaps if there are any spots to sleep safely?
Thankyou

 

[PANO]

Hi Leanne,
it is rather rare that a tired pilgrim choses to voluntarily sleep outside, unless
(a) there is no more bed left
(b) he/she can no longer stand the snoring and farting inside the albergue
(c) the night is irresistibly warm and pleasant
To save money, you might want to inquire, if they let you do some work in exchange for a bed.
Buon Camino

 

[GreatDane]

What??? This is the first I've heard about farting in the alburgues!!

 

[PANO]

What??? This is the first I've heard about farting in the alburgues!!

....those you hear and those you smell-

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

I wouldn't. Furthermore, there are laws regarding camping, so if you do decide to sleep outdoors I would definitely wait till dusk before setting up camp. Likewise, safety could be an issue, especially near towns I would use a campsite. In any case, good luck and please tidy up afterwards. Buen Camino!

 

[Anniesantiago]

Stealth camping is certainly possible. Most of the best places are PAST each village. I've done it. Sometimes the albergue will allow you to pitch in their yard. Buen Camino.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

LOTS of people set up tents and camp along the camino. If you really need a kip, you will find one.
I slept outdoors once, but it was more from choice than necessity -- I was with friends, there was an inviting haystack, the albergue was packed with noisy knuckleheads (and bean stew was on the Menu!) and enough vino tinto had circulated that we could have slept anywhere.
The following morning three rather bemused cows greeted us, wondering what we were doing on their dinners! It was NOT a good night´s sleep, but hardly anybody died or even suffered.
I would do it again, if I had to.

 

[koilife]

LOTS of people set up tents and camp along the camino. If you really need a kip, you will find one.
I slept outdoors once, but it was more from choice than necessity -- I was with friends, there was an inviting haystack, the albergue was packed with noisy knuckleheads (and bean stew was on the Menu!) and enough vino tinto had circulated that we could have slept anywhere.
The following morning three rather bemused cows greeted us, wondering what we were doing on their dinners! It was NOT a good night´s sleep, but hardly anybody died or even suffered.
I would do it again, if I had to.

The haystack or the vino?

 

[Rebekah Scott]

the vino is a given. the haystack is only when circumstances so dictate.

 

[Metropolly]

hardly anybody died

How many, exactly? This 'haystack sleeping' may be more hazardous than I'd envisaged!

 

[obinjatoo@yahoo.com]

I camped a few nights, I like it. It is I think technically illegal to wild camp in Spain but a mile or 2 from a Camino route should not be a problem. There are 2 things I keep in mind: 1) Out of sight = out of mind. 2) Sometimes it easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.
Be stealthy and don't leave trash or poop behind.

 

[Paul W]

..I will add some 'camo' paint to my backpack!!!...regards