So, you have decided to go for it and have a hobby holiday where you do a lot of walking and hiking. Where do you start with the planning?
Campsites for walkers & cyclists
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Sites et Paysages le Panoramic is a medium-sized, traditional site, situated on quite a steep, ten-acre hillside with fine views. The 170 pitches are arranged on flat, shaded terraces, in small groups with hedges and flowering shrubs, and 20 pitches have services for motorhomes. Divided into two parts, the main upper site is where most of the facilities are located, with the swimming pool, its terrace and a playground located with the lower pitches across the road.
This former municipal site is a recent addition to the Huttopia group of campsites and is located close to the pretty village of Vallouise, deep in the Hautes-Alpes. The site extends over 6.5 hectares and enjoys some magnificent views of the surrounding mountain scenery. There are 134 touring pitches here, bordered by two glacier streams. Most have 10A electricity. Several fully equipped safari-style tents and chalets are available to rent.
Well located for visits to Mont St. Michel, The Vieux Chêne campsite has two swimming pools and 1 paddling pool for children.
Set in the grounds of a château, Castel Camping le Château de Lez Eaux lies in a rural situation just off the main route south, under two hours from Cherbourg. Of the 122 touring pitches, all with electricity (10A, Europlug) and 87 with water and drainage. Most of the pitches are good-sized, partly separated by trees and shrubs on flat or slightly sloping, grassy ground overlooking Normandy farmland and a small fishing lake.
Huttopia De Veluwe is an exceptional site lost in the heart of nature in the province of Gelderland, a stone's throw from the De Hoge Veluwe and Veluwezoom national parks and just an hour from Amsterdam and Rotterdam. There are 200 touring pitches in this wooded location, most with electric hook up available. Here you will enjoy spending your holiday in the heart of nature. The site offers a restaurant that has a terrace where you can enjoy a homemade pizza or a glass of wine after a long day of exploring the surrounding area. The site also offers kids many sporting activities, including ping pong tables, a football pitch, badminton and a multisports court. Every morning during high season ( 6 days out of 7), Huttopia De Veluwe offers activities for 5 - 12 years, which involve building dens, treasure hints, and creative crafts. During the evenings in July and August every night, there are cinema evenings, live music and shows.
De Roos is a family run site in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, truly a nature lovers’ campsite, immersed in an atmosphere of tranquillity. It is situated in Overijssel’s Vecht Valley, a unique region set in a river dune landscape on the River Vecht. The river and its tributary wind their way unhurriedly around and through this spacious campsite. It is a natural setting that the owners of De Roos have carefully preserved. The 275 pitches and necessary amenities have been blended into the landscape with great care. Pitches, most with electricity hook-up (6A Europlug), are naturally sited, some behind blackthorn thickets, in the shadow of an old oak or in a clearing scattered with wild flowers.
Situated across the yacht harbour from the Canet-Plage resort, Yelloh! Village Le Brasilia is an impressive, well-managed family site directly beside the beach. There's much to praise here, from the state-of-the-art reception to the sensational water park, excellent spa and park-like grounds. Although large, it is attractive and well kept with a remarkable range of facilities – with good reason, it's always a popular choice.
This attractive five hectare site is a member of the Huttopia group. It can be found close to the popular seaside resort of Saint Trojan-les-Bains on the south side of the island. There are 163 pitches (56 for touring), which vary in size, most of which have electrical connections (10A French type). Huttopia Oléron Les Pins is situated in a lightly wooded setting on undulating, sandy terrain, just 1 km. from the nearest sandy beach. A number of specially designed wood and canvas safari-style tents are available for hire; the latest range are equipped with a shower, WC and sink. Large units should telephone ahead to ensure suitable pitch availability.
Yelloh! Village le Sérignan-Plage is a lively and vibrant Mediterranean site with direct access to a superb 600-metre sandy beach (including a naturist section). When you arrive at this site, the reception is very modern and efficient, and a map is printed to show you and direct you to your pitch. This is one of the largest sites I have visited, but as it is spread over such a large area, it does not feel like you are on a large commercial site. Touring pitches, number 293, are separated from an even larger area of mobile homes for rental. Pitches are generous and divided by low hedging and have direct access to the beach. There are approximately 571 mobile homes and chalets for rental, plus some privately owned units and a good number of tour operator pitches.
Huttopia Beaulieu sur Dordogne is an enjoyable and well-equipped site on a beautiful small island in the River Dordogne, only two minutes from the centre of the medieval town of Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, with its ancient streets, old churches, and many shops and restaurants. This seven-hectare site has 185 shady grass pitches and 144 available for touring, all with 10A electricity. These are spread across the site over mowed lawns and under tall trees, providing shade during the hot summer weather.
Le Champ Neuf is located in Saint Quentin-en-Tourmont on the Bay of the Somme. It is a quiet site, 900 m. from the ornithological reserve of Marquenterre, the favourite stop for thousands of migratory birds; birdwatchers will appreciate the dawn chorus and varied species. This eight-hectare site has 197 pitches, 79 for touring, on level grass with 6/10A electricity.
In the region that the Kings of France chose to build their most beautiful residences, this pleasant, shaded site has been developed in the surroundings of an old 800-hectare forest, just 1 km. from the banks of the Loire river. For those seeking a relaxing holiday, it provides 169 pitches, including 111 for touring units, all with 10A electricity (119 Europlugs) and 58 with full services. The friendly family owners continue to develop the site with a multisports court and an attractive swimming pool complex. During July and August, they organise a programme of trips including canoeing and riding excursions, as well as twice weekly concerts and shows.
Le Paradis is an excellent, well-maintained riverside site, halfway between Les Eyzies and Montignac in the Valley of the Vézère. The site is landscaped with a variety of mature shrubs and trees. The gardens are beautiful, which gives a wonderful sense of tranquillity. It is very easy to relax on this ecologically friendly site. Systems of reed filters enhance the efficient natural drainage.
Sportcamp Woferlgut, a family-run site, is one of the best in Austria. It lies in the village of Bruck at the northern end of the Großglocknerstrasse mountain road in the Hohe Tauern National Park, near the Zeller See. The level grass pitches are marked out by shrubs, and each has 16A metered electricity, water, drainage, cable TV socket and a gas point.
Camping Détente et Clapotis is in the Rhône-Alpes, on the banks of the Lac de Paladru. The site has 212 grass pitches, of which 140 are for touring units and have a 6/10-amp hook-up point, and there are 32 chalets are available for hire. At the front of the campsite, the touring pitches are located. These are quite open, and most are in the sun, but the large open lawns mean you have great views of the lake and direct access to the water.
Yelloh! Village Camping Les Mouettes is a sheltered site on the edge of an attractive bay, with access to the sea at the front of the site. In a wooded setting with many attractive trees and shrubs, the 457 pitches include 63 for touring units, all with electricity, water, drainage, and private sanitary facilities.. The remainder are taken by tour operators and by 406 mobile homes and chalets to rent.
One hour from Paris, on the banks of the Seine and overlooked by the impressive remains of Château Gaillard (Richard Coeur de Lion), this attractive and spacious ten-hectare site will appeal to couples and young families. The site offers mobile units to rent and touring pitches in separate areas. These are either riverside or in a large central triangle, all very close to the Seine; all pitches are divided by low hedging, and some offer a degree of shade.
The enthusiasm of the owners here comes across instantly in the warm welcome received by their guests. Bordering the Layon river, around 100 good sized grass pitches (73 for tourers) are reasonably level and fully serviced (10A electricity, water tap and drain) but have little shade. Five pitches have a hardstanding for cars.
On the edge of a pine forest and just a short walk across the dunes from a fine sandy beach, this could be an ideal spot for a seaside holiday. Les Cyprès is a very French campsite with good basic facilities and a pleasant modern pool complex. The 300 pitches are in an arc curving out towards the sea in both directions from reception; the 141 touring pitches of varying shapes and sizes occupy the southern end of the arc. All have access to electricity (10A) and water, though long leads are required in places and some are more suitable for tents because of the trees.
A large site situated in the Pyrenees near the Ordesa National Park, Peña Montañesa is easily accessible from Ainsa or from France via the Bielsa Tunnel (steep sections on the French side). The site is essentially divided into three sections opening progressively throughout the season and all have shade. The 330 pitches on fairly level grass are of about 75 sq.m. and 6/10A electricity is available on virtually all (no charge is made for upgrade). Grouped near the entrance are the facilities that make the site so attractive, including an outdoor pool and a heated (out of season), glass covered indoor pool with jacuzzi and sauna. Here too is an attractive bar/restaurant with an open fire and a terrace; a supermarket and takeaway are opposite.
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Campsites for walkers & cyclists
Walking and cycling are among the most popular activities when camping, and it’s no surprise when so many campsites are set in beautiful countryside locations.
The campsites in this listing offer visitors access to scenic walking and cycling routes, some of which are accessible directly from the campsite’s gates. Several are located on official way-marked paths or trails, meaning you’re sure to find yourself in some spectacular surroundings.
Whether you prefer wheels or feet, there’s something satisfying about adventuring into the great outdoors to discover the local area. Browse through the list of campsites for walkers and cyclists below. It covers sites and parks all over Europe and you can filter your search by country for more refined results.
Camping For Walkers
Camping and walking are two hobbies that go hand in hand, and it's easy to see why. There is nothing quite as good as pitching up your tent or caravan in a beautiful location and then heading out into nature to walk, explore and experience the beautiful world around us. Not only can you get some exercise and fresh air but you can experience new places. You can find those hidden beauty spots only hikers can get to, and you can meet local people and pick up some fantastic local produce along the way. There is no better way of spending a little time living for the moment without the usual everyday stresses and worries that clutter up our minds.
There is no one way to have a walking and camping holiday; you have plenty of options and methods you can use to personalise your holiday to be exactly what you need it to be.
Book A Base To Start From Every Day
One way to have a hiking holiday is to find a place to explore and book yourself onto a campsite as a base. If you pick carefully, you can use your chosen campsite as a great base to start from and come back to each day. The apparent advantage of this type of camping holiday is that you can pitch up, unpack and make yourself a cosy home to come back to and relax in after a long day hiking. You don't need to worry about packing up daily and heading out to your next destination. You can get up and have a relaxing morning before heading out to your chosen walk for the day.
Make sure you have plenty of walking equipment with you and book yourself onto a campsite that has all the facilities you need for your stay.
Head Out On A Walking And Driving Holiday
If you want a camping holiday where you see as much of the country or area you have chosen to visit, a great option is walking and driving. Pack up your tent or hook up your caravan and plan out a driving route that takes in all the sights and places you want to see the most. Book yourself into campsites along that route, making sure you book yourself a couple of nights in each location and then start on your camping road trip.
This is perfect for anyone wanting to see as much as possible. Or for those who have somewhere to be and want to take the scenic route to get there. Every time you make your home in a new location, you can head out on walks and explore the local area before moving onto the following destination and exploring that area!
Have A Hiking Holiday
For anyone who really wants to experience a camping and walking holiday that takes them back to nature and gives you a real sense of achievement, you can have a hiking holiday where you pack up your tent and everything you need onto your back and walk from campsite to campsite.
This option isn't for the fainthearted. It isn't easy, but if you are a hardened hiker with experience and the fitness level required and love nothing more than to indulge in a good walk, then this is the holiday for you.
Choose your destination and then plan your route. You need to be aware of how much you can realistically walk in a day and how far this will take you. Once you have worked out a route and the places you will need to stop for the night, you can start planning the campsites you will be staying at and start searching and booking for suitable campsites along your route.
When planning this type of holiday, you need to take extra care to plan it out thoroughly. Make sure your campsites have all the washing and shopping facilities you may need. You won't be able to take a week or two's worth of food in one go, so you need to have plenty of snacks in your bag and have it planned where you would stop and grab some food or a hot meal while out on your walk. If you can, plan food stops into your daily walking routes. It gives you somewhere to aim for, and it ensures you get a good rest at some point during the day.
Don't be afraid of stopping for two or three nights in one location. You don't have to fill every day with walking from destination to destination. You will need some resting and recuperation time in between your long hikes between destinations.
Cycling and Camping Holidays
Cycling is a fantastic hobby. It gives you a sense of achievement; it's an excellent way to get some exercise in a fun way that gets your adrenalin going, and you get to travel to and bike through some of the most beautiful hills and scenery the world has to offer.
Like many hobbies, especially outdoor pursuits, biking can be an expensive one. With your bike, clothing and equipment, the costs can start to add up. That's before you have even thought about travelling around the country or the world to pursue your hobby. This is just one of the reasons that camping and cycling go hand in hand.
There are far more reasons to pack your tent along with your bike. While camping is generally a cheaper alternative to hotels and more expensive holiday options, it isn't all about the cost. Camping is an incredible hobby all on its own and is a fantastic way to get back to nature and explore all the hidden beauty spots that staying in hotels means you can miss out on.
Camping is a hobby and holiday lifestyle that is popular worldwide, which means you can pack up your bike and travel anywhere in the world to your chosen trails.
Mountain Biking and Camping Holidays
If you really want a mountain biking adventure, you won't forget in a hurry you could choose to go on a bike packing holiday. With the correct bags and equipment, you can plan out your routes and destinations and bike your way from destination to destination and make the most of all the best mountain biking trails in between.
Whilst you can partake in a mountain biking hobby almost anywhere in Europe and the world beyond, we have some fantastic mountain biking trails and options right here in the UK.
Wales, in particular, is a hotspot of mountain bike trails and has a strong camping and caravanning culture that makes it perfect for enjoying both of these hobbies and exploring some of this beautiful country that is right on our doorstep.