Wild camping areas

Puerto de la Ragua

Public property
Suitable for:
Vehicles only
Overview:
A large open parking area at a recreational area at the top of a 2000 meter pass. Great mountain walks, but
be ready for changeable and cold weather outside of Summer.
Can be busyish with walker and picnicers during the day but no-one ever stops the night.
Great views from nearby vantage points.
Clean running spring water available
Altitude ( meters ):
2000meters
Shade:
Yes
Mobile signal:
No
Can be the odd large cow about ...... The road past the parking area can be quite fast.
Camping Spot Description
Puerto de la Ragua is a public recreation area with a restaurant/bar and cross-country ski hire in the winter,
and a visitors centre ( although they all seem to open to a completely unpredictable schedule ). There is a
huge parking area with few visitors and almost no-one seems to ever overnight here. There is a clean
spring for drinking water which runs all year on the roadside about 400 meters south of the parking area.
The hiking, the spectacular views and the general isolation are the attractions here. In winter the weather
can be pretty grim because of the height, and the road is sometimes closed to traffic without snow chains.
In summer the cool nights are a refreshing change from the Spanish plains. There is a website ( in
Spanish ) here http://www.puertodelaragua.com/index.html.
Getting There
Directions:
Simple. It is well signed. Just follow the road North from Laroles ( in the Alpujarra region ) or arrive from the
South via Calahorra
Access:
JUst off the road so no problem for large vehicles etc.

Location
37° 6' 48.4704" N, 3° 1' 47.8308" W
Camping Spot Map
El Playazo

Owned By:
Public property
Suitable for:
Vehicles only
Overview:
A beautiful seaside spot in the protected natural park of Cabo de Gata. Stunning views.
Contributor's Ratings
This beach is very quiet except for August ( and to a lesser extent July and September ). There are no
facilities.
Amazing panoramic view of the crystal clear Med.
No drinking water source available
Suitable for dogs:
Camping Spot Description
This spot is an official parking area within the Cabo de Gata Natural Park. Although overnighting is not
permitted, the Spanish police ( the Guardia ) will leave you alone as long as you park within the designated
areas ( generally surrounded by a picket fence ). If you don't you may be rudely challenged at 6:30am as
we once discovered ). In addition to the beach you can walk to Las Negras via the beautiful fort of San
Ramon. There are a couple of small shops and bar/restaurants in nearby Rodalquilar, although there are
often closed out of high season.
Getting There
Directions:
From the main road passing Rodalquilar take the signed track to "El Playazo". Just before the main parking
area as you hit the beach hand a right alongside the picket fence and then just follow the bumpy track.
Access:
The last bit of track can be very muddy after rain ( which is only occassional in Almeria ), and very rutted in
the dry. Normally shouldn't be a problem for most medium sized campers.

Location
36° 51' 28.8144" N, 2° 0' 14.5404" W
Cala de San Pedro

Essentials

Public property
Suitable for:

Tents only

Overview:

A beautiful secluded beach only accessible by foot ( 45 mins ? ) or boat in the Cabo de Gata natural park.

Inhabited by friendly hippies !

No cars, but there is a small transient population of "hippies" living in shacks and some more solid houses.

Probably busy with parties through August ?

Stunning beach, stunning views.

Camping Spot Features

Access to Drinking Water:

Clean running spring water available

Altitude ( meters ):

0meters

Camping Spot Description

This is a remote beach that can only be accessed on foot or by boat. There is a small transient population
of "free-spirits" living in shacks and tents etc. There is a fast flowing spring by the old ruined mill type
building. Plenty of space to pitch a tent, and just enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the setting.
Getting There
Directions:
In the centre of Las Negras you will find a sign for "Playa de San Pedro". Follow this sign and let the other
"San Pedro" signs guide you to the information sign at the start of the route, which you find some 800
meters further on, on the right hand side of the road.
Access:
Foot/bike or boat travellers only. The walk would probably be sweltering hot in summer.

Location
36° 54' 6.4548" N, 1° 58' 56.7516" W

Mirador de la Piscina

Roadside

Public property

Suitable for:
Vehicles only

Overview:

A large parking area next to a municipal swimming pool. The pool is closed for most of the year. Great views.

Below a country road so there is some passing traffic. When the pool is open in July, Aug, and Sept I wouldn't

recommend this spot unless you like the sound of screaming children !

Panoramic mountain views, and on a clear day you can see the sea in the distance.

No drinking water source available

1000meters
There is a road passing the spot and there are ibex ( wild mountain goats ) on the surrounding hillsides.
Camping Spot Description
The Alpujarras is a beautiful region of Andalucia on the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
This spot is a large flat, parking area carved into the mountainside by a municipal swimming pool. The pool
is closed except in July, Aug and Sept. Whilst the pool is closed there are no facilities. When open there is a
bar, and I'm sure no-one would mind if you passed the night in the parking area. Fresh spring water is
available nearby from fountains in any of the local villages.
Getting There
Directions:
The spot is equidistant from the villages Yegen and Mecina Bombaron. Approach from either and you can't
miss the swimming pool.
Access:
No problems for any vehicle type.

Location
36° 58' 45.9876" N, 3° 8' 36.042" W
Isleta de Moro

Public property
Suitable for:
Vehicles only
Overview:
A beachside parking area near a tiny fishing hamlet.
V. busy in July and Aug with Spanish holidaymakers, and always some activity.
Very pretty sea and beach views.
No drinking water source available
Camping Spot Description
This a popular spot with motorhomers in the Cabo de Gata natural park. Although not the quietest place,
you are 30 seconds from the beach and a couple of minutes walk from the local amenities of the traditional
fishing village.
Getting There
Directions:
Use the Google map and you can't miss the parking area as you arrive at the village.
Access:
No problem whatsoever for any type of transport.

Location
36° 48' 59.3064" N, 2° 3' 5.4144" W

Genevoises beach

Public property
Suitable for:
Vehicles only
Overview:
A public parking area where vehicle camping is tolerated, next to a long and sandy beach with shallow
waters great for children.
Contributor's Ratings
Usually a few other vans around, although the parking area is large. Can be v. crowded in Summer.
The beach is amazing. The parking area less so.
No drinking water source available
Camping Spot Description
A great place to relax by the sandy beach. Popular with windsurfers. No facilities whatsoever but the nearby
town of San Jose has everything you could need. Great walks in the nearby mountains but as this is the
driest and hotest place in Mainland Europe make sure you carry a bottle of water and wear a hat. In
summer this parking area may not be accessible to vehicles as they close the track and bus people in from
San Jose in an attempt to reduce the environmental impact of vehicles. Outside of Summer no problem.
Getting There
Directions:
Head for San Jose and follow the signs for the beaches ( playas in Spanish ) of Monsul and Genevoises.
Access:
up a 3 KM bumpy track but no problem.

Location
36° 43' 57.0144" N, 2° 9' 7.3584" W
Negratin Lakeside

Public property
Suitable for:
Vehicles and tents
A great lakeside camping spot, with a stoney beach.
This place is occassionally visited by fishermen and the odd picnicing family in the Summer months.
Amazing views over the reservoir and a spectacular mountain backdrop.
No drinking water source available
Walking trails or routes nearby:
Camping Spot Description
Fantastic wild camping spot on the shores of a huge reservoir. Good swimming. Very tranquil. Scorchingly
hot in July and August. There is also a more traditional beach ( i.e. pedaloes and ice creams available ) just
further on from the campsite in nearby Freila.
Getting There
Directions:
Drop down all the way through Zujar and take the road along the lakeside. After passing an agricultural
greenhouse above the road the turnoff to the lake is about 1KM further. If you reach the area recreativa
( looks like an octagonal bar/restaurant ) then you've gone too far.
Access:
Bit of a tricky track down from the roadside. The first 50 metres are steep and potholed. We managed it in
our motorhome tho'

Location
37° 35' 33.1728" N, 2° 49' 15.6684" W