Tide turning against wild camping

[Burgo]

In December-ish I mentioned in the "are Germans destroying wild camping in Spain" thread the increasing numbers along the protected natural park area if the 340 near us.
I just saw this in Sur (see https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga...oliferation-motorhomes-20240130184014-nt.html)

"Diario Sur - Diario de Málaga. Noticias de Malaga

Motorhomes and caravans in the Maro Cerro-Gordo area.

Environmental group demands action over proliferation of motorhomes on Costa del Sol ‘Nomad Land’

Signs prohibiting overnight stays have been vandalised and people staying in the area are “dumping of all kinds of rubbish: leftover food, wipes, toilet paper, excrement, urine, and other items", according to GENA-Ecologistas en Acción
An environmental campaign group based in the Axarquía, on the eastern stretch of the Costa del Sol, has for the third year running denounced what it describes as a proliferation of motorhomes in the coastal village of Maro. The group has also complained of squatters using abandoned buildings in the area.

Gabinete de Estudios de la Naturaleza de la Axarquía (GENA-Ecologistas en Acción) said in a press statement on Monday 29 January, “This year, throughout the month of January, we have been observing the gradual arrival of motorhomes that give the impression of being coordinated, colonising the protected area as if it were a winter 'Nomad Land', in some cases coming from other places, such as the Alpujarras [Granada province]. The number of motorhomes is estimated at around fifty.”

According to the spokesman for the environmental group, biologist Rafael Yus, "some campers have settled” under the pine trees in the Alberquillas area of the village, where he claims they stay “for very long periods of time". Similarly, according to GENA, "there is a community of squatters who have settled in an abandoned house also located in the Alberquillas area".

Yus went on to say, "In all these cases it is not a one-off or one-day visit, but they stay for an indefinite period of time, some for several weeks, so they are in breach of the rule of not staying overnight in the natural area". He argued that “In addition to breaching the general rule that prohibits free camping and even less so in a protected natural area, other problems are occurring".

Consequences for local wildlife

GENA claimed that signs prohibiting overnight stays have been vandalised and that people staying in the area are “dumping of all kinds of rubbish: leftover food, wipes, toilet paper, excrement, urine, and other items, including highly polluting items such as bottles of motor oil, some of which have been opened and dumped on the ground".

The environmental group also claimed that vegetation has been trampled on which has damaging consequences to local wildlife, there have been bonfires which add to the risk of wildfires, fishing which they highlight affects sea life and as the noise caused by music and parties, which the group says also has an impact on local wildlife.

GENA has called on the Junta de Andalucía to take action and has urged the regional government to “establish an agreement with the Guardia Civil and the police, to make regular visits to the site to remove all squatters; to put back signs prohibiting overnight stays and place them in both El Cañuelo and Alberquillas; ask Nerja’s Local Police to make regular visits to the site and fine users “so that foreigners pay the fines” as well as build a barrier at the entrance to prevent access, thereby limiting an important part of the problem. "This is already being done in the Cabo de Gata natural park in Almeria," the group added.

Imagen principal - Motorhomes in the area; vandalised signs; oil containers dumped on the ground.

Imagen secundaria 1 - Motorhomes in the area; vandalised signs; oil containers dumped on the ground.

Imagen secundaria 2 - Motorhomes in the area; vandalised signs; oil containers dumped on the ground.

Motorhomes in the area; vandalised signs; oil containers dumped on the ground.

The Junta de Andalucía's representation in Malaga has replied that "the appropriate inspections and sanctions are being carried out" and added, "It would be desirable to coordinate with other administrations, including the town hall, to find a definitive solution for the defence and protection of this natural area". SUR tried unsuccessfully to get a statement from Nerja town hall about the situation."

I'm a bit upset with all this, to be honest. As a local I don't want to be turned into some kind of pariah due to the actions of, mostly, foreign motorhomers. But if this carries on it will be" pay on an aire / site" or "bu66er off" time very soon.

 

[Toady]

I am currently staying near Competa after spending a week in Nerja off grid. I carry a spare cassette and litter pick wherever I stop.
I must say I was shocked by how many German hippy vans, without facilities, are parked along this stretch of coast. They are literally leaving their cr*p everywhere.

The area is crying out for some good aires.

 

[jumartoo]

It's mostly German vans on the Murcian coast as well. From hippy vans up to top of the range Morelo's and Concords.

I've seen, uncorroborated, reviews on P4N of the police beginning to take action. I'm waiting for official reports.

Something has to be done, there are just too many in the same places year after year and setting up for the duration of their winter stay.

 

[Peavy]

Something has to be done

Let's hope for that, I'm afraid Burgo is right and we're already in the same boat, and seen equally or classified as inconsiderate hippies without facilities.
We have a long way to go.

 

[Steve and Denise]

Your always going to get free loaders with Motorhomes some think they have the right to stay where they want and pay nothing it even happens in the UK but not in the winter

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Your always going to get free loaders with Motorhomes some think they have the right to stay where they want and pay nothing it even happens in the UK but not in the winter

They are all over here Steve.
On our walk to Albir lighthouse just outside the entrance car park is a piece of waste land. There must have been at least 10 vans on there. All looked to be tidy though .no chairs out but all on ramps due to the slope of the ground. There was a big concorde , A class and coachbuilt.
the same at the new car park between the market and Villasol in Beni .at least 14 vans on there.
I suppose if the local camp sites are full then they have a "reasonable" excuse. But once they start to make a mess and "camp" they will be moved on no doubt.

 

[cyberyacht]

I can understand that, from the description of the conduct, it might be 'hippies in transits' but I can't see Morelo/Concorde or indeed other moho owners behaving like that.

 

[EuroTrotters]

I don't like the term being used, "Wild Camping"

I don't know what you could term it.

But Wildcamping is what we did as kids and many still do as adults.

As I have said before, we got a tent, backpacks (sometimes Aire rifles). Got on our push-bikes and went off into the hills. For us it was the Peak District. We would find some common land or ask the farmer. That was knock on the door of the farmhouse and ask if we could pitch up for the night or two.

Not sitting in a warm, gas or diesel heated space with duvets, TV's and ovens. Complete with shower and toilet facilities.

 

[jumartoo]

They are all over here Steve.
On our walk to Albir lighthouse just outside the entrance car park is a piece of waste land. There must have been at least 10 vans on there. All looked to be tidy though .no chairs out but all on ramps due to the slope of the ground. There was a big concorde , A class and coachbuilt.
the same at the new car park between the market and Villasol in Beni .at least 14 vans on there.
I suppose if the local camp sites are full then they have a "reasonable" excuse. But once they start to make a mess and "camp" they will be moved on no doubt.

They're in the hundreds along the coast from Mazarron to the Almeria border past Aguilas.

 

[VXman]

I can understand that, from the description of the conduct, it might be 'hippies in transits' but I can't see Morelo/Concorde or indeed other moho owners behaving like that.

We parked up for a couple of days amongst 'hippie like' travellers in the south of Spain a couple of years ago. They were mostly surfers and hang gliders. I felt out of place in our brand new typical motorhome but they were lovely and no problem behaviour at all.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Toady]

The German motorhome owners are great and have some great vans. It’s the hippie contingent who I find hard to get my head around. Not all but many of them just don’t give a damn and will pee where they want, write on walls etc. personally witnessed on this trip.

Perhaps I am getting old

 

[Tombola]

Plenty vans and plenty space too here along the roads and side areas at Los Alcazares . From Concordes down to small transits. All seem to keep it tidy though.

 

[seasideBill]

I was surprised how many vans I saw in the Canaries this year (Lanzarote & Fuerteventura). We’ve been visiting in January for many years but I’ve never witnessed so many vans ‘wild camping’ as this year. Mostly Spanish vans with the occasional German. I’m not sure if they’re from the mainland or locals, but they seem to have created the same problems as elsewhere with litter & excrement.

 

[scotjimland]

I don't like the term being used, "Wild Camping"

I don't know what you could term it.

But Wildcamping is what we did as kids and many still do as adults.

Nor do I, living in a 5 star moho is not camping of any type, wild or otherwise

It's motor caravan .. (as said in the V5) .. so it's free parking in a motor caravan or van with windows

the only 'wild camping' is a you describe ..

tent, backpack and shank's pony, on land that it is allowed or you have permission to use

back in the day, camping was always by tent .. never in a vehicle

 

[Brains]

I don't like the term being used, "Wild Camping"

I don't know what you could term it.

But Wildcamping is what we did as kids and many still do as adults.

As I have said before, we got a tent, backpacks (sometimes Aire rifles). Got on our push-bikes and went off into the hills. For us it was the Peak District. We would find some common land or ask the farmer. That was knock on the door of the farmhouse and ask if we could pitch up for the night or two.

Not sitting in a warm, gas or diesel heated space with duvets, TV's and ovens. Complete with shower and toilet facilities.

The correct term is 'Stealth Camping'
That is; camping on or near, a road, or in an semi-urban location.
Normally trying to blend into background and it not be recognised that you are in residence.
This can apply to rough sleepers, tent campers, cars & small vans, or caravans & motorhomes.

"Wild Camping"
Is what you describe above.
By definition it is not within sight or sound of a road or buildings.
It could be on agricultural land, but more likely on moors, heath, forest or upland areas.
It would normally involve a tent, tarp, hammock or similar.
"Take nothing but memories leave nothing but footprints"

It annoys me as well every time I see the use of the words 'wild camping' when they mean 'stealth camping'.
It is almost impossible to 'wild camp' in a conventional 2x4 motorhome.

Perhaps Jim could update the glossary of terms

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Brains]

As I have said before, we got a tent, backpacks (
sometimes Aire rifles
). Got on our push-bikes and went off into the hills.

An Aire Rifle!

It sounds like a brilliant bit of kit!
So how does it work ? Do you wander into a French Aire, in August when it's double parked end to end and clear them all out inside five munities to get the entire Aire to yourself ?

I'm also interested in buying a Stellplatz Howitzer if anyone has got one.

 

[Jim]

The correct term is 'Stealth Camping'

That a name you can call it, but there is no correct term. If someone tells me they wildcamped all they way down to Cadiz, I know exactly what they did, they didn't use sites and there was no stealth about it.

 

[SpeedyDux]

I was surprised how many vans I saw in the Canaries this year (Lanzarote & Fuerteventura). We’ve been visiting in January for many years but I’ve never witnessed so many vans ‘wild camping’ as this year. Mostly Spanish vans with the occasional German. I’m not sure if they’re from the mainland or locals, but they seem to have created the same problems as elsewhere with litter & excrement.

They might be locals. I have been reading that there is a big problem with lack of housing for young locals in the Canaries. Many of them work in hospitality and tourism on low wages. Van life and wild camping might be their only solution.

 

[Jim]

Someone who has a van with no or few windows, trying to keep a low profile as possible, often staying in the same towns long term, they are stealth camping. As far as white box motorhomes are concerned, wild camping pretty much has come to mean not on sites.

 

[Brains]

That a name you can call it, but there is no correct term. If someone tells me they wildcamped all they way down to Cadiz, I know exactly what they did, they didn't use sites and there was no stealth about it.

Have a google, see what others think.

Stealth camping may involve a vehicle.
Wild camping does not, as by definition its not near a road.

I've wild camped down to Spain, I had a tent and pair of walking boots.
I've also stealth camped across much of Europe.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Jim]

Have a goggle, see what others think.

Stealth camping may involve a vehicle.
Wild camping does not, as by definition its not near a road.

I've wild camped down to Spain, I had a tent and pair of walking boots.
I've also stealth camped across much of Europe.

No need to google, we have one of the biggest collections of motorhome related content on earth right here. Most every time you see the term wild camping here it does not mean wilderness camping, its a term that has come to mean parking like the OP in this thread describes. It might not be strictly correct, but it is what it is. We could argue that your stealth camping isn't camping because you have no guy lines on your van. But I won't because I know what you mean, just like I know what the OP means when he says wild camping.

 

[jumartoo]

Free parking?

 

[nicholsong]

It is very difficult to be 'stealthy' with a 7m long 3m high box.

 

[Brains]

No need to google, we have one of the biggest collections of motorhome related content on earth right here. Most every time you see the term wild camping here it does not mean wilderness camping, its a term that has come to mean parking like the OP in this thread describes. It might not be strictly correct, but it is what it is. We could argue that your stealth camping isn't camping because you have no guy lines on your van. But I won't because I know what you mean, just like I know what the OP means when he says wild camping.

True, as you say we have a vast collection of motorhome related content.
But there are more tents and hikers out there than us.
'Camping in the wild' is not the same as 'camping stealthily'

Part of the remit of a forum is to educate, so perhaps there should be encouragement to use the correct terms for things rather than glossing over an error and allowing it to perpetuate.

We all know what a 'stealth van' is, I've yet to come across a 'wild van'

 

[Brains]

It is very difficult to be 'stealthy' with a 7m long 3m high box.

Even harder to do it in the wild!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Jim]

But there are more tents and hikers out there than us.

Yes I get it, but no one needs educating, we all know what wild camping means when we're in a motorhome context. Something completley different to carrying your tent into the wilderness.

 

[pjay]

I tend to call it 'off grid' parking or park up.

Pete

 

[Jim]

I tend to call it 'off grid' parking or park up.

Pete

Yes, wild parking is another term some use.

 

[AlunandFelicie]

Yes, wild parking is another term some use.

would ’tight fisted camping’do?

 

[TheBig1]

we are back to the old debate about FLTs and no, not fork lift trucks

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}