How to build the perfect bivouac

Where, with what and how to survive a night under the stars - with comfort and respect for nature

Bivouac. A word that carries adventure, romance, but also dew drops on a sleeping bag, rolling on a slope and sometimes even a drop of fear from what rustles in the bushes. And yet – or precisely because of that – a night under the stars remains one of the most authentic experiences you can have in nature .

A night under the stars that isn't about survival

In this article, we will show you how to build a bivouac so that it is:

• safe,
• comfortable,
• inconspicuous,
• and respecting the rules of nature and law.
  

Where to set up a bivouac (and where not to)

Choosing a location is absolutely essential. It can make the difference between a good night's sleep or a night filled with cold, water, or unpleasant terrain.

Ideal place:

• Flat, dry, slightly elevated (due to rain)
• Windy , but not in the valley where the cold lingers
• A short distance from the water , but not directly on the shore (dew, cold, insects, animals)
• Far enough away from roads and huts
• Under trees with strong branches (shade, protection from dew)
  

Avoid places:

• In saddles and passes (draft)
• Directly under rocks or loose stones (risk of falling)
• In stream beds (even when they are dry)
• In places with fresh animal tracks
• In strictly protected areas (see below)

Legal and ethical aspects of bivouac

In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, camping in nature is restricted , but bivouacing for one night (without building a tent, discreetly and without leaving any traces) is tolerated - if:

• you respect protected areas (e.g. NP, PLA – various conditions),
• you don't start a fire,
• you don't leave any trash behind,
• you do not disturb the surroundings with noise or light.

The golden rule of bivouac: "Stay unseen, unknown, and don't forget to clean up more than you brought."

Bivouac equipment – ​​what you need to sleep well

A quality bivouac doesn't require a tent costing ten thousand. It's more about a combination of simple equipment and common sense.

Basic equipment:

How to build a bivouac – several options

Option 1: Minimalist bivy

• For: dry weather, summer, more experienced user
• How: sleeping bag + sleeping pad + bivy bag
• Pros: speed, light weight
• Cons: no rain cover

Option 2: Tarp + bivy

• For: changeable weather, multi-day expeditions
• How: tarp shelter (type A, diamond, lean-to) + sleeping bag in a bivouac
• Advantage: protects against rain and wind
• Tip: use trekking poles or branches as a structure

Option 3: Hammock + tarp

• For: forest terrain, easy uphill
• How: a hammock with a mosquito net hung between trees, a tarp above it
• Pros: comfortable sleep without uneven terrain
• Disadvantage: requires trees + insulation from below

Practical tricks and tips from the field

• Always look up. A dry tree can fall. A loose branch can fall too.
• Place aluminum foil under your sleeping bag. It insulates well and protects against moisture.
• Dry the sleeping bag in the morning. The dew will also penetrate the bivouac - shake it out and dry it in the sun.
• Use things as ballast. A backpack on the corners of the sail, rocks on the leeward side.
• Sleep with your head elevated. Minimizes reflux, improves airflow.
• Less light, more peace. Don't use strong LEDs at night - red light is enough.

How to pack a bivouac setup – efficiently and UL

The bivouac style is ideal for an ultralight approach . All you need is:

A combination that fits into a 10l bag and still keeps you dry and warm.

Where to go bivouac in our country or in Slovakia?

Add suitable routes from our application

The magic of bivouac: why it's worth it

• You fall asleep under the stars. With no obstacle between you and the sky.
• You hear the forest – birds, wind, rustling.
• In the morning you wake up in the fog, into silence, into a world without borders.
  

A bivouac is not just an emergency overnight stay. It is an experience that connects you with nature. It teaches you to appreciate simple things – warmth, shade, dryness, light. And most importantly: it teaches you to trust yourself .

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