Ideal Time of Year for Camino de Norte

[Michael Mattalo]

I plan to walk the Camino de Norte in 2020 and would appreciate any insights regarding the best time of year for this route. My wife and walked the St. James route beginning late April 2017 and enjoyed the spring like walk. I initially thought the same timing for the Camino Norte, but wonder if it would be colder and if it would be advisable to start a bit later. Any experience of fellow peligrinos would be appracited.

My wife and I leave in 5 weeks to walk the Camino Portuguese from Lisbon and then continue to Finisterre after Santiago . . . we can't wait.

Thanks everyone. Michael

 

[Dan T]

I'm also looking to walk the Norte sometime in April - May 2020, would love to hear some feedback. I'm not fussed if it's a little cooler or wetter.

 

[Rick M]

Not colder than the Frances.......warmer. The Norte rarely ventures above 500 m in altitude until you start getting close to Santiago. Most nights are spent at sea level.......next to the ocean. By contrast, on the Frances, you are bedding down at 800 m most nights. As a result, the Norte will be several degrees warmer than the Frances on the same day. It can also be wetter, since its right next to the ocean and backed by mountains. I went in April, and the weather was very nice except for the odd raindrop. My April trips on the Frances all had one or two mornings with frost on the meseta. Most mornings on the Norte that same time of year were 8-10 C.

Buen Camino

 

[Richard P]

I arrived Irun on the 15th of June and left on the 17th. Warm and sunny when I left but within a couple of hours it began to rain and did so on and off for the next two weeks! But it was warm. I had left Geneva at the end of April and chose the Norte as I recconned there would always be a wind coming off the ocean and it would be cooler than trying to walk the Frances especially at that time of the year.
One day in early July I met a fellow peregrino who had a friend walking the Frances and that friend phoned to ask about the weather as it was in the high 30's where he was and where we were it was in the low 20's.
Soooo... I don't really know what the best time of the year would be but I do know I would like to return and walk at least as far as Bilbao once more just to see what I missed during all the rain.
buen camino

 

[André Walker]

Of course weather conditions will vary from year to year, but in general the Camino del Norte has a oceanic and mountain climate. The Frances has a continental climate (until you reach Galicia, which also has a oceanic and mountain climate.

This means that on the Frances winters are colder and summers are warmer than on the Camino del Norte. The Del Norte is also wetter. This is of course genereally speaking. Weather conditions can vary from year to year. When I walked the Del Norte in 2016 in May, I had nice temperatures and almost no rain, while on the Frances it rained each day for two weeks.

The weather is unpredictable. There are no guarantees. Once in a Spanish bar early one morning I asked the man behind the bar what the weather would be like. He bowed his head a bit, looked outside the window and replied: "Something like this".

 

[nickpellatt]

I walked it this year, 50 days starting on May 1st. I'd say it was an ideal time. Weather was generally favourable and not too hot .... I did have rain of course, perhaps 5 days ... on those days I just walked less. Pre-Summer (and maybe post-summer) isnt the busiest time for pilgrims, but is busy enough for the majority of albergues to be open ... some are seasonal.

 

[intrepidtraveler]

I walked in 2017 from mid-May to end of June. The weather was generally quite good -only 4-5 days with rain but not a huge amount. Temperatures pleasant.

It was also before the "in-season" at the coast so finding accommodation was not an issue and higher summer rates were not in effect.

Buen Camino whatever you decide.

 

[Walking Lover]

I plan to walk the Camino de Norte in 2020 and would appreciate any insights regarding the best time of year for this route. My wife and walked the St. James route beginning late April 2017 and enjoyed the spring like walk. I initially thought the same timing for the Camino Norte, but wonder if it would be colder and if it would be advisable to start a bit later. Any experience of fellow peligrinos would be appracited.

My wife and I leave in 5 weeks to walk the Camino Portuguese from Lisbon and then continue to Finisterre after Santiago . . . we can't wait.

Thanks everyone. Michael

My

I walked in 2017 from mid-May to end of June. The weather was generally quite good -only 4-5 days with rain but not a huge amount. Temperatures pleasant.

It was also before the "in-season" at the coast so finding accommodation was not an issue and higher summer rates were not in effect.

Buen Camino whatever you decide.

My husband began in May 22. He found it cold, wet, and muddy; however, there were some fair days.

 

[Michael Mattalo]

Thank you intrepidtraveler

 

[Michael Mattalo]

I arrived Irun on the 15th of June and left on the 17th. Warm and sunny when I left but within a couple of hours it began to rain and did so on and off for the next two weeks! But it was warm. I had left Geneva at the end of April and chose the Norte as I recconned there would always be a wind coming off the ocean and it would be cooler than trying to walk the Frances especially at that time of the year.
One day in early July I met a fellow peregrino who had a friend walking the Frances and that friend phoned to ask about the weather as it was in the high 30's where he was and where we were it was in the low 20's.
Soooo... I don't really know what the best time of the year would be but I do know I would like to return and walk at least as far as Bilbao once more just to see what I missed during all the rain.
buen camino

Very helpful. Thank you.

 

[Michael Mattalo]

My

My husband began in May 22. He found it cold, wet, and muddy; however, there were some fair days.

Thanks. Good to know.

 

[Cealli84]

I plan to walk the Camino de Norte in 2020 and would appreciate any insights regarding the best time of year for this route. My wife and walked the St. James route beginning late April 2017 and enjoyed the spring like walk. I initially thought the same timing for the Camino Norte, but wonder if it would be colder and if it would be advisable to start a bit later. Any experience of fellow peligrinos would be appracited.

My wife and I leave in 5 weeks to walk the Camino Portuguese from Lisbon and then continue to Finisterre after Santiago . . . we can't wait.

Thanks everyone. Michael

My daughter and I walked the Norte last spring from start to finish beginning on Memorial Day (end of May) and finished around July 4th. There were only a couple of days of rain. The weather was perfect. YOU. WILL. LOVE. IT!! BUEN CAMINO

 

[trecile]

I did it in July last

My daughter and I walked the Norte last spring from start to finish beginning on Memorial Day (end of May) and finished around July 4th. There were only a couple of days of rain. The weather was perfect. YOU. WILL. LOVE. IT!! BUEN CAMINO❤

I started on July 4th last year, and so did the rain. I'm not saying that it rained all the time, but apparently it was a wetter than usual July. I'm going to try my luck with September next time for the Norte.

 

[Luka]

The weather on the northern coast? Unpredictable. And changing all the time. I live in Asturias and heard a saying here: if you don't like the weather, wait for 15 minutes.

What @Rick M says is true though. The nights and mornings will (most likely) be warmer in spring on the Norte than on the Francés. Generally speaking (no guarantee whatsoever) the weather is a bit more stable and sunnier in autumn than in spring.

I did it in July last

I started on July 4th last year, and so did the rain. I'm not saying that it rained all the time, but apparently it was a wetter than usual July. I'm going to try my luck with September next time for the Norte.

That was a miserable summer month indeed. To compare: July 2018 had 123 hours of sunshine and (extremely warm and sunny) February 2019 had 203 hours of sunshine. With much less daylight. So unpredictable.

 

[Lirsy]

I would say that the best start dates could be between the end of April and the beginning of July. That means that you will arrive to Santiago between the end of May and the beginning of August. Not too hot, not too cold, a lot of day light ... In the Norte, be always prepared for some rainy days (except if you are VERY lucky you will find some rain).

 

[hielienie]

I'm also looking to walk the Norte sometime in April - May 2020, would love to hear some feedback. I'm not fussed if it's a little cooler or wetter.

Also planning Del Norte from the second week of April 2020. With my previous Camino we started a conversation here with everyone starting more or less at the same time. Maybe we can do something similar? It helped a bit with traveling to the start etc.

 

[Dan T]

Hi! My flights are booked, I arrive in Paris on April 21, then will hit the trails a couple of days later from Irun. If I don't bump into you then best of luck! I hope you're better at keeping the excitement in check than I am, it is all I can think of!

 

[Chooklotti]

My flights are booked and i plan to arrive in Irun from Paris on the train on the 11th April! Full Camino norte for me. Shall plan for rain, hail, wind and shine.!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I walked the first half of the Norte before turning on to the Primitivo in 2016 beginning April 17th. I did not find it as cold as the Frances route in April and had only a few days of soft rain for a several hours at a time...but one never knows. I've heard of lots of spring rain in other years. It's like a box of chocolates...you never know what you're going to get.

 

[trecile]

I did most of the Norte in July 2018. Historically July is the driest month of the year, but last yea July was abnormally wet. Fortunately it wasn't cold, and it was actually kind of fun to walk in the rain.

 

[hielienie]

My flights are booked and i plan to arrive in Irun from Paris on the train on the 11th April! Full Camino norte for me. Shall plan for rain, hail, wind and shine.!

I will probably see you on the way. Planning to arrive in Irun on the 11th and start my Camino on the 12th

 

[Walkerooni]

Starting from Bilbao May 14.

 

[Chooklotti]

I will probably see you on the way. Planning to arrive in Irun on the 11th and start my Camino on the 12th

Absolutely yes. I have pre-booked accom for the night of the 11th in Irun at a Pension so we'll be starting on the same day!

 

[Vaughan]

Starting from Irun on April 19th

 

[Dan T]

Starting from Irun on April 19th

4 days before me. I'd have to run to catch up, so best best of luck!

 

[Vaughan]

4 days before me. I'd have to run to catch up, so best best of luck!

Lets hope we get good weather. Buen Camino!

 

[kensadams]

Due to schedules, my son and I are walking early June into July

 

[Dan T]

Lets hope we get good weather. Buen Camino!

I don't mind the thought of a day or 2 of rain (especially in this brutal Australian summer we're in right now), but I'm not keen on weeks worth

 

[melany20]

Hello, dear pilgrims!
Tell me, please, what about is Camino del Norte in February? I mean the way from San Sebastian to Bilbao.
Thanks in advance to all!)

 

[Trailhawk]

This is my first post. I am from the Philippines and I am organizing for myself and a friend a walk on the Camino del Norte + the Camino Primitivo this 2021. Is March 15 a good time to start from Hendaia, France?

 

[Michael Mattalo]

Well, the best of plans are not working out for 2020 given the pandemic. My wife and I will be attending a wedding in Barcelona on June 19, 2021 . . . soooo . . . my revised plans are to begin on or around June 24 from Irun. I have begun to think about routes and potential best stops for rest days. The funny thing is my very first rest day might be after day 1 - LOL! After all, how can you NOT spend an extra day in San Sebastian . . . the food mecca of Spain? I may actually just start in San Sebastian!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Well, the best of plans are not working out for 2020 given the pandemic. My wife and I will be attending a wedding in Barcelona on June 19, 2021 . . . soooo . . . my revised plans are to begin on or around June 24 from Irun. I have begun to think about routes and potential best stops for rest days. The funny thing is my very first rest day might be after day 1 - LOL! After all, how can you NOT spend an extra day in San Sebastian . . . the food mecca of Spain? I may actually just start in San Sebastian!

I started in San Sabastian after spending two nights there exploring and eating...I have no regrets at missing Irun as there is so much spectacular scenery along most of the Norte.

 

[Michael Mattalo]

I started in San Sabastian after spending two nights there exploring and eating...I have no regrets at missing Irun as there is so much spectacular scenery along most of the Norte.

Thanks, that may be my best plan then. Can't wait!

 

[Rick M]

Although if you are planning on flying, San Sebastion's airport is in.......you guessed it........Irun. You can literally walk out of the airport and start your Camino. Or, you can catch a train or taxi into town, and start grazing in the old town. Everything you've heard about the food in Basque country is true.

Buen Camino

 

[Michael Mattalo]

Although if you are planning on flying, San Sebastion's airport is in.......you guessed it........Irun. You can literally walk out of the airport and start your Camino. Or, you can catch a train or taxi into town, and start grazing in the old town. Everything you've heard about the food in Basque country is true.

Buen Camino

Okay . . . did not know that Okay, might as well start in Irun