Campervan Life Through the Pyrenees – Our Family Summer So Far
- Life Between The Trails
- Jul 27
- 3 min read
We’re halfway through what’s shaping up to be one of our most exciting campervan adventures yet — starting in Bilbao and winding our way through the breathtaking Pyrenees. With the kids onboard and our little home-on-wheels, we've travelled mountain roads, stayed off-grid under starlit skies, and soaked up the sunshine as we explore new corners of Spain, France, and Andorra.
Our journey kicked off in Bilbao, a buzzing city full of creativity, colour, and character. From there, we hit the Pyrenees, and WOW — the views have been absolutely spectacular. Each turn seems to open up to a whole new landscape — towering peaks, tumbling waterfalls, deep valleys dotted with wild horses, and endless green.
We explored Pamplona, full of history and charm (and thankfully not during the bull run!), before heading off the beaten path to Camping Selva De Oza. This place deserves a special mention — nestled deep in the mountains, completely off-grid, and utterly peaceful. We camped next to a river, hiked with the kids along gentle trails, and cooled off in mountain streams. No phone signal. No distractions. Just us, nature, and butterflies.
From there, we crossed into France, stopping in Laruns, then over the misty Col du Pourtalet (where we were literally driving through clouds) and into Andorra. The scenery hasn’t stopped surprising us. Even the foggy drives are kind of magical.
🏕 Tips for Camping with Kids: What’s Worked for Us
We’ve definitely learned a few things along the way — some planned, some the hard way! Here are a few little tips that have made life on the road easier with kids:
Keep swim costumes easily accessible – You never know when you'll stumble upon a stream, lake, or campsite pool!
Hand gel on standby – Especially when wild camping or using public facilities.
Snacks. Always. – We pack a mix and luckily the kids are happy trying new delicacies.
Our new camper fridge = game changer – It keeps food fresher for longer and saves money too.
Wipes are essential – For spills, sticky fingers, muddy legs, and everything in between.
Kids bring their own toiletries – Now they’re older, they carry their own little bags into the showers which makes them more independent.
Slip-on sliders or flip flops – Easy to throw on for campsite showers, pool runs, or quick loo trips. Definitely our most-used footwear!
Pack a few travel games – Card gagames, Encore or Uno are great for chilled-out evenings.
Notebook or sketchpad – For drawing the views, writing about the trip, or just quiet time while we cook.
Craft files— I always pack a little folder with crafty bits in like glue dots, coloured paper, washi tape, small craft projects. They can dip into these easily.
Travel wash— for a quick laundry wash especially when little adventurers get pretty grubby.
🚐 What We’ve Learned So Far:
We packed too much. Honestly, we didn’t need half of it.
Drive-away awning? Not worth it (for us). It felt like more of a faff than a benefit. Especially when not staying in one place for long.
Simple setups work best. We’ve found we actually enjoy the ease of minimal camping. Less faffing = more exploring.
Let go of the routine. Sometimes the best days are the ones where nothing goes to plan. we came away with just our crossings booked and found places to stay along the way.
We’re not done yet — there’s still more to explore and beyond that, who knows where the road will lead? But so far, this trip has been a reminder of why we travel this way. The freedom, the flexibility, and the joy of seeing our kids thriving in nature.
If you're thinking of taking the leap into campervan travel with your family, do it. It’s not always easy, but it's always worth it.
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