Sleep for free in the shelters in Germany, suitable for those who love the outdoors, sleep in a sleeping bag and go hiking in nature.
Do you think it is impossible to find a quiet place where you can stay overnight, without paying anything? You are wrong!! I want to share with you one of my latest "discoveries" regarding low-cost travel, indeed, I would say super low-cost!
My boyfriend and I love spending the days in the mountains and in the woods, where you can breathe clean air, away from the stress of everyday life. And here in Germany we met the Schutzhütten, or rather small shelters where it is possible spend the night for free. You got it right, for free, without paying a single euro.
I discovered the existence of these shelters by surfing the net, doing research to organize trips. I was also really amazed, despite being very used to traveling on the road, and I immediately wanted to try.
We have already stayed twice in two different places and I assure you we have not had no kind of problem. Obviously this is a choice for travelers who not only want to save, but who are willing to give up the usual comforts that an apartment or hotel room can offer. On the other hand, you can enjoy waking up surrounded by chirping birds or a storm.
The first shelter I slept in is on the Wilseder Berg, in a protected area that is part of the Lüneburger Heide (Lüneburg Heath, a town 60 kilometers from Hamburg). The second is located in Thuringia (Central Germany), along the Rennsteig, Germany's oldest hiking trail. Here there are so many, just a few kilometers away and offer excellent shelter even in bad weather.
If you are planning an adventure holiday in the mountains, why not take advantage of it? Unfortunately, I think it's a lot difficult to find information in Italian on the Internet, since it is not something typically Italian. The only information I have found speaks of alpine bivouacs, also free. In Germany, the huts that can be found more easily are however those found on specific paths, such as Rennsteig (central Germany) and Eifelsteig (western Germany), or those found on the so-called European paths.
I leave you with a series of practical tips, to better enjoy your experience:
- to easily find the refuge, you need the precise coordinates, since in the mountains the address is not enough and even if you don't have a navigator, smartphone is fine too
- indispensable the sleeping bag (also in summer) and the mat insulating, because floors are never super smooth
- never light fires, at most bring a few small candles or even better a pocket light
- be aware that the chosen refuge may already be occupied by other people
- in the morning, leave the shelter not too late
Now you ask yourself: isn't sleeping in the mountains, in a completely isolated place, dangerous? Everyone can have their own point of view about it, but I tell you no, because the very fact that it is an isolated place in my opinion is an advantage.
