Mountain rescue service sounds the alarm: wild camping in Bavaria remains taboo!

Mountain rescue service sounds the alarm: wild camping in Bavaria remains taboo!

An incident occurred at the weekend that made many outdoor lovers in Bavaria sit up and take notice. Young hikers who wanted to spend the night on the Brecherspitz accidentally alerted the mountain rescue service, which drew attention to the strict rules for camping in Bavarian nature. The Miesbach district office has now taken a clear position and warns urgently about the legal consequences of spending the night in the great outdoors. Bivouacing is generally prohibited in the region, and in protected areas this can even be considered a criminal offense, as tz.de reports.

These rules came about for a reason. Bivouacing and wild camping are clearly regulated in Bavaria. Even if the right of entry in Germany allows you to enjoy nature, staying at night is not part of it, as the Naturerlebnis Bayern makes clear. Every time you spend the night in a tent, camper or mobile home, you need the permission of the property owner - a permission that is only granted in a few cases.

Strict regulations for campers

Especially in landscape protection areas such as around the Brecherspitz, there are extensive controls by rangers and nature conservation officers. Anyone who stays overnight without a permit can face severe fines of between 50 and 2,500 euros, depending on the location and the severity of the violation. The district office has corrected the mountain rescue service's earlier statements and emphasized that overnight stays are generally not permitted without consent. The only exception is in real emergencies, such as injuries or exhaustion, in which sleeping outside is permitted.

But not all forms of camping are prohibited. Bivouacing, i.e. sleeping under a tarpaulin or in a bivouac bag, is generally permitted, except in protected and landscape protection areas. Nordbayern emphasizes that camping in parking lots may be permitted under special circumstances, but that no classic camping applications, such as rolling out an awning, are permitted.

Tips for camping close to nature

Anyone planning to camp or bivouack in nature should not only concern themselves with the legal aspects, but also act in an environmentally conscious manner. Open fires are only permitted with the permission of the property owner, as are the burning of waste or the disposal of wastewater into bodies of water. Responsible planning and taking rubbish with you are mandatory. The principle “Leave no rubbish” applies particularly in our protected areas, which need to be preserved.

To escape the temptation of wild camping and still enjoy the beauty of nature, there are some legal alternatives in Bavaria. Trekking sites and mobile pitches offer unconventional accommodation options, often close to attractive hiking routes. These places are largely geared towards the needs of nature lovers and hikers and invite you to experience the local flora and fauna up close.