Avoiding summer crowds?

[PFarnsworth]

I've heard that during the summer many of the pilgrims from Europe start during the weekends, particularly on Saturdays. Is this correct? Could I avoid the larger crowds in late June by starting on a weekday?

 

[JabbaPapa]

I learned on my last Camino that the crowds along most of the Francès are Spring and Autumn ones -- the Summer crowds congregate mainly in the last 200K from Ponferrada, and the last 100 from Sarria moreso, as I understand things as they stand in the 2010s ...

Plus Burgos and Léon in particular.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Could I avoid the larger crowds in late June by starting on a weekday?

That would help a little bit, but an even better strategy is to stay in the smaller places rather than the guidebook end points. Crowding on the path are less a problem than the bed hunt in the evening!

 

[Tincatinker]

If you want to avoid the crowds on the Camino Frances don't walk the Camino Frances.
Starting from St Jean on a weekday might make a marginal difference over the first few days but after that who knows. Most Spaniards will start wherever they're inclined but not in France. As @falcon269 says avoiding the classic guidebook stages will ease the pressure, avoid the honey spots and there will be fewer bees, but the Frances is a honeypot along its entire length.

That said the Frances has plenty of accommodation, more bars than a respectable drinker could possibly visit and a 'buzz' of its own (nudge to the bees reference for any one who missed it). Enjoy your Camino!

 

[scruffy1]

Santiago is calling! There are several (many) different ways to arrive in Santiago. The CF has been very crowded in recent years however it is entirely possible to set out from Lisboa, Porto, Sevilla, Ferrol, or San Sebastián (Donostia in Basque), all which are no less traditional all of which will see less traffic all of which will be equally satisfying.