Sarria to Santiago early July?

[Lynbanana]

Hello, I am only in Europe for 5 weeks from New Zealand visiting our first grandchild and am drawn to the Sarria to Santiago leg of the French Way (like so many others!) I was planning on starting 01 July but am worried about the heat - is it unbearable? I am also aware it is incredibly busy. How bad is it? Any advice truly appreciatedI would be on my own (hubby not interested at all)

 

[Turga]

Hello, I am only in Europe for 5 weeks from New Zealand visiting our first grandchild and am drawn to the Sarria to Santiago leg of the French Way (like so many others!) I was planning on starting 01 July but am worried about the heat - is it unbearable? I am also aware it is incredibly busy. How bad is it? Any advice truly appreciatedI would be on my own (hubby not interested at all)

It could be quite hot, perhaps around 30 C. Unbearable? Depends on who you are. I usually walk in August/September when it is very hot, but it doesn’t bother me. On that particular section of the Camino there is generally good opportunities of finding some shadow to take a rest and cool off a bit.

Yes, it is the more busy part and you may run into larger groups of walkers, but whether you will find it annoying or not is also a personal matter, the positive side is that you won’t feel alone/isolated.

Anyway, Buen Camino

 

[DoughnutANZ]

July certainly can be hot but what the temperatures on the days that you walk will, of course, depend on the weather at that time. It may be hot, maybe not.

You should plan on it being hot and wearing appropriate clothes and carrying water and the lightest pack possible.

Your experience will be formed based on what you are used to. 40 degrees are common in July and we don't often get that in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Start and finish walking early to escape the worst heat.

Don't worry too much about crowds, along that stretch there is more than enough infrastructure to handle July numbers because August is the busy month on that stretch.

Go with the intention of enjoying yourself and be adaptable.

 

[RJM]

July will definitely be warmer but that actually reduces pilgrim numbers. Also Sarria to Santiago is only a week's walk at the most. It's over before you know it.

 

[Joyoncnrse]

It could be quite hot, perhaps around 30 C. Unbearable? Depends on who you are. I usually walk in August/September when it is very hot, but it doesn’t bother me. On that particular section of the Camino there is generally good opportunities of finding some shadow to take a rest and cool off a bit.

Yes, it is the more busy part and you may run into larger groups of walkers, but whether you will find it annoying or not is also a personal matter, the positive side is that you won’t feel alone/isolated.

Anyway, Buen Camino

I will be walking Sarria in Santiago first of September. Will I find it to be as hot as it is in summer ?

 

[Turga]

I will be walking Sarria in Santiago first of September. Will I find it to be as hot as it is in summer ?

Short answer, yes! September is still summer in Spain - but I think you will also find it a nice walk

Buen Camino.

 

[Joyoncnrse]

Short answer, yes! September is still summer in Spain - but I think you will also find it a nice walk

Buen Camino.

Thank you!!

 

[Anamiri]

Hello, I am only in Europe for 5 weeks from New Zealand visiting our first grandchild and am drawn to the Sarria to Santiago leg of the French Way (like so many others!) I was planning on starting 01 July but am worried about the heat - is it unbearable? I am also aware it is incredibly busy. How bad is it? Any advice truly appreciatedI would be on my own (hubby not interested at all)

It was hot, I walked late May until the beginning of July in 2017. That year we had a heatwave, and it was over 40 degrees when we reached Santiago.
I had somewhat acclimatized, as it was hot in May in NZ that year, and had been walking for a month by the time we reached Santiago. It was coolish in the mornings, but heated up a lot.
It was also extremely busy from Sarria, the only walk we have that busy is the Tongariro Crossing. where you can often see a conga line. Im not a fan of walking in such numbers, others dont mind it.
Its sort of like the beginning of a half marathon race, extremely congested at the beginning, and slowly spreads out.
If you haven't walked the rest of the Camino, you wouldn't know any different., I think its a shock when you've been walking in quiet country side for weeks on end, and then you hit the crowds.

 

[Anamiri]

I will be walking Sarria in Santiago first of September. Will I find it to be as hot as it is in summer ?

It's only a day between the end of August and September. I found it extremely hot in 2016, but missed the heatwave in 2019 and it was quite pleasant.

 

[Lynbanana]

Thank you

 

[Lynbanana]

It could be quite hot, perhaps around 30 C. Unbearable? Depends on who you are. I usually walk in August/September when it is very hot, but it doesn’t bother me. On that particular section of the Camino there is generally good opportunities of finding some shadow to take a rest and cool off a bit.

Yes, it is the more busy part and you may run into larger groups of walkers, but whether you will find it annoying or not is also a personal matter, the positive side is that you won’t feel alone/isolated.

Anyway, Buen Camino

Thank you

 

[Lynbanana]

It was hot, I walked late May until the beginning of July in 2017. That year we had a heatwave, and it was over 40 degrees when we reached Santiago.
I had somewhat acclimatized, as it was hot in May in NZ that year, and had been walking for a month by the time we reached Santiago. It was coolish in the mornings, but heated up a lot.
It was also extremely busy from Sarria, the only walk we have that busy is the Tongariro Crossing. where you can often see a conga line. Im not a fan of walking in such numbers, others dont mind it.
Its sort of like the beginning of a half marathon race, extremely congested at the beginning, and slowly spreads out.
If you haven't walked the rest of the Camino, you wouldn't know any different., I think its a shock when you've been walking in quiet country side for weeks on end, and then you hit the crowds.

Thank you

 

[geraldkelly]

If you're walking the last 100km in summer I would be careful not to start from Sarria at the weekend. That's when most people start. If you leave Sarria on a Wednesday the Camino will be fairly quiet (I've done this several times in the last few years). Also, stay a way from the big towns, stay in smaller places, accommodation shouldn't be a problem if you follow the "Wednesday rule".

Buen Camino!
Gerald

 

[Lynbanana]

That’s so helpful Gerald - thank you! How far do you have to walk to get back in the track? Would love suggestions re towns to stay - thanks again

 

[geraldkelly]

That’s so helpful Gerald - thank you! How far do you have to walk to get back in the track? Would love suggestions re towns to stay - thanks again

There are lots of places to stay on the last 100km without leaving the Camino. I recommend staying in small villages rather than towns. I don't want to get into recommending where because it's better that you decide that yourself (based on the distances you want to walk every day). Get a guide and look at what the options are. Gerald

 

[Newkarrob]

Hello, I am only in Europe for 5 weeks from New Zealand visiting our first grandchild and am drawn to the Sarria to Santiago leg of the French Way (like so many others!) I was planning on starting 01 July but am worried about the heat - is it unbearable? I am also aware it is incredibly busy. How bad is it? Any advice truly appreciatedI would be on my own (hubby not interested at all)

Hi, yes it will be very hot at that time of year. May would be a more comfortable time to walk.