By deciding to leave for a few days with your roof on your back, you are opting for a great adventure and more freedom. Freedom yes, but not the freedom to do anything! The practice of bivouacking is regulated more or less strictly depending on the area.
In this article, we will deal with the basic rules to respect in order to practice bivouac in a legal and responsible way in the Kaysersberg valley without going into all the subtleties.
Let’s start with the basics: what is bivouac?
Bivouac is not camping! Even if we speak of a tent to designate the shelter under which we sleep, it can be practiced without by choice or by obligation according to the regulations. The nuance also lies in the fact that bivouacking means settling down for a night in the middle of nowhere and leaving early the next day without taking up residence there for several days.
By definition, with bivouac you leave your comfort zone and especially comfort. There are no toilets or kitchen, rarely any bins nearby and not necessarily any water. In fact, adaptability and respect for the environment are the fundamental concepts of bivouac.
Let’s now take a look at the regulations:
The Kaysersberg valley is located in the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park, where bivouacs are regulated in certain protected areas.
Depending on your itinerary, we invite you to consult the official website of the “Quiétude Attitude” programme where the regulations in force in each zone are detailed in order to anticipate your night stops.
Once you have checked the legislation, make sure you respect the installation hours. With shelter, you must set up at the earliest one hour before dusk and leave at the latest one hour after dawn.
Once you have checked that the area is suitable for bivouacs, this does not mean that you can set up anywhere with confidence. In the first instance, it is often advisable to stay on marked trails to avoid impact on the environment.
Take the time to identify the rational risks of the terrain before setting up (agricultural area which may lead to the arrival of mechanical equipment, landslide area, submersible terrain etc.)
- I take all my waste with me
- I do not leave my toilet paper on the spot
I leave each place as I found it when I arrived
You are now ready to try a night under the stars in the Kaysersberg valley.
Also read: Discover our section “the roaming trip” in the Kaysersberg valley for ideas for routes and practical information.