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T R AVEL TALK ASK THE EXPERTS
NEED ADVICE FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP? ARE YOU AFTER RECOMMENDATIONS, TIPS AND GUIDANCE? OUR EXPERTS HAVE THE ANSWERS…
THE EXPERTS
Katja Gaskell Travel writer and editor
Marlène Giacometti Director of Les Menuires Tourist Office
Laura Mason Head of Walking Product, Inghams
Catherine Cosby Founder of Mountains 4 All
With wild camping all but impossible in England and Wales, what are the rules in the Alps? Pitching your tent in the Alps and waking up to what feels like your own private sunrise is the ultimate camping dream. Unfortunately, making it a reality can be complicated. Rules around wild camping in the range vary not only by country but by region, too. In France, camping sauvage
From left: Camping along the Tour du Mont Blanc; children hiking in Zillertal, Austria; the Passo Falzarego cable-car in the Dolomites, Italy
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occupies somewhat of a legal grey area. In theory, provided you have the permission of the landowner, you’re allowed to pitch your tent outside of a designated campsite anywhere except on the coast, or at protected natural sites and classified historic monuments. However, it’s always worth checking with the
NATIONALGEOGRAPHIC.COM/TRAVEL
local town hall or tourist office first, because in recent years some destinations have placed a temporary ban on both wild camping and bivouacking (sleeping outside without a tent) owing to environmental concerns such as fire risk. To avoid uncertainty, it’s best to go with a guide. Herve le Sobre runs overnight bivouacking adventures in the Avoriaz mountain resort from €50 (£43) per person, including a simple dinner and snack for breakfast.
alpirandovtt.com Rules in Switzerland vary from
canton to canton. In general, camping above the treeline is permitted except in protected areas, nature preserves, game (wildlife) rest zones, hunting grounds or the Swiss National
Park. If overnighting on private ground, you need permission from the owner and must dismantle any pitched tents during the day. Nufenen Pass, one of the tallest mountain passes in the Swiss Alps, is a good place, as is Lauterbrunnen, south of Interlaken. Wild camping in the Italian
Dolomites is officially prohibited. It’s also largely outlawed in Austria, but the rules aren’t uniform. Some regions — including Carinthia, Tyrol and Burgenland — prohibit the practice entirely, but others have varied guidelines, allowing planned bivouacking for one night if in an unprotected forest. In short, there’s no quick-fire answer; your best bet is to check beforehand depending on where you plan to travel. KATJA GASKELL
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