Camino del Norte best time

[Betterwithage]

I am 2 years out in planning the del Norte route and wanting less crowded less hot temperatures, what is best time? April/May or Sept/Oct? Thanks!

 

[Former member 92300]

Well - on the Norte, many albergues don't open until June 1, There are always private rooms. I started very late May and finished late June and it was fine. Check gronze.com to find out opening dates of albergues if you want to start earlier in the season.

Edited to add - I did have comfortable/cool temps and definitely some rain. Wasn't too cold, and only too warm maybe 4 days (I finished just before the major heat wave). I did have trouble drying clothes because of the damp weather - so having dry socks became an issue. Especially on the day I had to walk through tall wet grass all day. I would bring 1 pair of waterproof socks next time and am doing so on the Via Francigena. I had to buy a couple more pairs of socks when I was walking the Norte.

 

[CTLawGal]

I am leaving tomorrow for my first Camino, del Norte plus Primitivo, may have answer on the April/May in a couple of months, but based on limited sample, ha! I was hoping for better/cooler weather in the spring, but may be wetter. Also, I suspect you will hear from others that weather will vary from year to year, and that one person's amazing weather could translate into cold and wet for your year. Good luck with your planning, my own was about that long in planning. Advance warning: no matter how well you plan the packing part, you've always got too much stuff. I think I'm finally ready to go!

 

[Felipe]

Both periods are good. I went to the Norte in early October last year. There was an unusual heat wave in Spain, but areas close to the coast are always a bit cooler. The weather was very fine, with occasional light rains.
Based on my experience on the Frances (not the Norte), there could still be more serious rains in late April, which can lead to muddy paths. It is nothing problematic, but you need to be prepared for it. I personally like more this season.
Since (I suppose) you are planning to walk for a month, you can expect some weather changes.
Regarding the crowds, it is inevitably a trade-off. Good weather inevitably means more people. Your last two stages, where the Norte connect with the Frances, is always crowded, but is also quite fun.

 

[El Ramon]

In 2021 I started June 14, 35 days and the weather was perfect, maybe 4 days with rain and great temps for hiking and sleeping. Buen Camino..

 

[Madis]

I wanted to do Norte already last year in July/August, but a few days before flying out I discovered that in San-Sebastian the whole city was sold out and there was no place to stay (it does not have pilgrim albergues). There was another city a few days later where I could not understand where I could stay. Therefore I just did Frances once more...

This year I am going on Norte in mid-May so I can catch the trail before school vacation starts in Spain. As I understand, this trail goes a lot through local tourist resorts. I prefer not to fight for beds with locals.

From the research I have done, then Norte has enough accommodation open to freely walk from April to October. Both April and October are very rainy months, therefore May was my first option. Also, I do not want daily temperatures to go over +25 degrees so May/September fit me best for this route.

 

[ejg1890]

Interesting thread. I just joined the forum and posted a message regarding Norte vs Frances in September. I was surprised someone mentioned many of the lodges don’t open until June 1, I would have expected May 1 at the latest. when Do they close for the season? Are they open through October at least?

 

[Madis]

Practically everything open on Norte April 1st from what I see on Buen Camino app. Maybe some private albergues take longer to open. I noticed some that need to be pre-booked that open later.

 

[Trailhawk]

When I started last June 19, 2022 on the Camino del Norte, almost every albergue were opened, except those ran by the municipalities like Gernika and Castro Urdiales. In Colombres, a 114-bed albergue was booked full because of a school excursion. If you are walking, you have to book ahead by 3-5 days because you would be competing bed availability with pilgrims on bicycles and those who avail of taxi services.