Are the Germans destroying wild camping in Spain?

Paulypaul

Paulypaul

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Not meant with any racist undertones but it seems that all the good wild camping spots down the east coast have been taken over by hoards of Germans and Dutch who set up camp, reserve their spaces by leaving chairs out etc and try to dictate what other people do, whilst doing exactly what they want without any consideration of their surrounding?

The result seems to be that the locals get pissed off and then the police and all of a sudden what used to be a really nice spot by stop for a few nights, is closed or made inaccessible.

I know the few can ruin it for the majority, but it just seems that the few are now the majority with hoards of D & NL vans this year?
 
The situation down near the Mazarron coast has got truly out of hand. The same people, again mostly Germans, arriving to their spots year after year, cars and caravans as well as motorhomes.

Mazarron ayuntamiento (town hall) have debated, and passed laws to prevent it, but as yet they've not been implemented.

The locals aren't happy, and neither are Spanish motorhomers, who can see that it might affect them also eventually.

As debated on a Spanish Facebook page.

Hardly discrete Wilding, is it?

Screenshot_20231220_084209_Photos.jpg
 
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The Wino said:
Is it just a consequence of there being many more German motorhomes in Spain than Brits (and the 90 day rule)
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I don't think so, there's many more Germans here than any other nationality not affected by 90 days.

There are a few hundred down on various parts of the Murcian coast (according to the Spanish debaters).
 
jumartoo said:
I don't think so, there's many more Germans here than any other nationality not affected by 90 days.

There are a few hundred down on various parts of the Murcian coast (according to the Spanish debaters).
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What I really meant was are there more Germans causing trouble by wild camping in relation to the number of German motorhomes in Spain or is it the same proportion of all nationalities it's just that as there are so many more Germans overall that they stand out?
 
It seems to be the same from Northern Scotland to Southern Spain. Wild camping is tolerated when the occasional motorhome stops off for a night or two without inconveniencing anyone. However as soon as a spot becomes popular and the practice draws attention to itself there is an inevitable local backlash. Wild camping is a victim of its own popularity and I think further limitations are inevitable.
 
Rather than closing down these areas it would be better if they made them official and put in strick time limits of 48 or 72 hours with no return for 7 days and enforced it.

The local community would benifit as the ones that set up camp for months probably don't spend much in the local community. Where as new arrivals tend look around the area and spend a bit of cash. So a constant turnover of Campers should help the locals.
 
Two on Tour said:
The problem is by all accounts in the OP's opening post, the Dutch and Germans are not following your ethos are they? ;)
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Let me try to assure Funster folk that there are plenty of "off-site" spots around, just as there are thousands of lovely German and Dutch motorhomers around too...

JJ :cool:

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JJ said:
Let me try to assure Funster folk that there are plenty of "off-site" spots around, just as there are thousands of lovely German and Dutch motorhomers around too...

JJ :cool:
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Thank you, it's really good to know that I have your assurance on that. (y) ;) :xsmile:
 
jumartoo said:
The situation down near the Mazarron coast has got truly out of hand. The same people, again mostly Germans, arriving to their spots year after year, cars and caravans as well as motorhomes.

Mazarron ayuntamiento (town hall) have debated, and passed laws to prevent it, but as yet they've not been implemented.

The locals aren't happy, and neither are Spanish motorhomers, who can see that it might affect them also eventually.

As debated on a Spanish Facebook page.

Hardly discrete Wilding, is it?

View attachment 846157
Click to expand...
That’s bad
 
www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Javea Take Measures To Prevent Motorhome Sea Front Parking

Yes, we have done it again. Pissed off the residents by parking on the sea front where it is not allowed. There are plenty of other places where you can equally safely, but legally park and sleep in your motorhome i and around javea. Yet, we ignore the rules and the council have to take...
www.motorhomefun.co.uk www.motorhomefun.co.uk
 
JJ there are plenty of nice Germans and Dutch, other nationalities are available, but these people by their actions aren't necessarily nice.
And how would you, a guy that lives alone in the middle of a forest, be able tell us what's going on, on the coast? Facebook? ::bigsmile:
 
Pausim said:
It seems to be the same from Northern Scotland to Southern Spain. Wild camping is tolerated when the occasional motorhome stops off for a night or two without inconveniencing anyone. However as soon as a spot becomes popular and the practice draws attention to itself there is an inevitable local backlash. Wild camping is a victim of its own popularity and I think further limitations are inevitable.
Click to expand...

As Langtoftlad said and it's also my firm belief that off-grid places everywhere have become popularised by personal recommendations on social media and websites and P4N and CamperContact type of apps.

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Paulypaul said:
Not meant with any racist undertones but it seems that all the good wild camping spots down the east coast have been taken over by hoards of Germans and Dutch who set up camp, reserve their spaces by leaving chairs out etc and try to dictate what other people do, whilst doing exactly what they want without any consideration of their surrounding?

The result seems to be that the locals get pissed off and then the police and all of a sudden what used to be a really nice spot by stop for a few nights, is closed or made inaccessible.

I know the few can ruin it for the majority, but it just seems that the few are now the majority with hoards of D & NL vans this year?
Click to expand...
Its the same issue raised everywhere including us Brits so why wouldn't Spain or any other country be any different
Screenshot 2023-12-20 at 10.05.10.png
Screenshot 2023-12-20 at 10.04.47.png
 
Two on Tour said:
The problem is by all accounts in the OP's opening post, the Dutch and Germans are not following your ethos are they? ;)
Click to expand...

I heard there a bit of land in Portugal where the land owner is very understanding and as many people can turn up as they want.

They can stay as long as they want as well I’m told 👍😊
 
I think there are far too many D & NL motorhomers who just disregard the rules, even on an official aire. Los Alcazares for example, Morello's, Carthago's and even PVC's, all D & NL registered, parked across parking bays rather than in them? How is that fair or considerate behaviour? Then they have the front to leave chairs in their spots when they go to empty grey and fill fresh?

Another example looking on P4N, it appears Aguilas has also fallen victim to local objection in that parking is only permitted during the day and length restrictions being applied.....obviously the D & NL vans have dispensation to this:unsure:

I do get it why spanish motorhomers are getting the ump too, cause they're being penalised just the same as the people that only want a few nights here and there, spend a bit of money locally and leave without a trace?
 
Yep, we stopped there to have a look around for a few hours in April, no overnighting now.

Such a shame the parking area is a huge area on sandy gravel would have been a great spot, when we stopped it was the weekend so fairly busy with people on the beach but the parking area was only about 15% full with cars only two other vans that didn't stop as long as us.
 
jumartoo said:
The situation down near the Mazarron coast has got truly out of hand. The same people, again mostly Germans, arriving to their spots year after year, cars and caravans as well as motorhomes.

Mazarron ayuntamiento (town hall) have debated, and passed laws to prevent it, but as yet they've not been implemented.

The locals aren't happy, and neither are Spanish motorhomers, who can see that it might affect them also eventually.

As debated on a Spanish Facebook page.

Hardly discrete Wilding, is it?

View attachment 846157
Click to expand...
This could easily be stopped as its considered camping and not parking. Camping in spots that are not designated for camping is illegal. Just fine them.

IMG-20230402-WA0000.jpg

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My view is it has got a little out of hand now. There is a huge population of Motorhomes (yes mainly D &NL) virtually full time occupying nice little 48 hr park ups, that I’m sure, 5 years ago would have been 100% ignored by locals as they were doing no harm.

Now it feels almost comically crowded in some areas where one or two vans would be ignored 20-30 can’t be! It will end in tears.

Sites on the SE and South coast of Spain are all booked up already over winter. If these Motorhomers shoot themselves in the foot and then need campsite stays, there ain’t no where for them to go in the popular locations.

Before the usual comments, I’m aware that there is always somewhere… 😉
 
Quite pleased the last couple of years we have gone in April due to other commitments and quite like it. Apart from a few days over Easter never a problem finding somewhere to stop and the weather is better so will probably keep doing it.
 
Paulypaul said:
Then they have the front to leave chairs in their spots when they go to empty grey and fill fresh?
Click to expand...
It seems to have started with package holidays and the FOMO types getting up at crack of dawn to put a towel on a poolside sunbed.
I lived with a German girl in Cologne for four years and she agreed with my observation that selfishness and being ultra-competitive was a common trait in many more German and Dutch people than Brits.
 
Lenny HB said:
Rather than closing down these areas it would be better if they made them official and put in strick time limits of 48 or 72 hours with no return for 7 days and enforced it.

The local community would benifit as the ones that set up camp for months probably don't spend much in the local community. Where as new arrivals tend look around the area and spend a bit of cash. So a constant turnover of Campers should help the locals.
Click to expand...
Looks like they've st up for good.
 
I've got less potted shrubs than that at home, and their right next the tap.
I expect the podium for the oompah band will come in phase two.
Mike.

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