Camino Madrid in 2024

[Catwalk]

Hallo everybody, I am new to this forum. Just want to say Hi and check out how this site work. I walked Camino Francès solo during April/May 2014 and Portuguese Camino in 2019. Now with God's blessing I plan to walk the Camino Madrid next year (2024) and are busy with research regarding this beautiful route. I would love to do it during Spring. Which time of year is safe to start in Madrid as I understand the Sierra da Guadarrama and Fuenfria Pass might be covered with snow during winter. I was thinking to start walking during last week in April. I would love to hear any suggestions.

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, @Catwalk, welcome to the forum. I think you have picked a great starting time. Spring is the absolute best time to walk the Madrid because the fields will be emerald green, the poppies and other wildflowers brilliant — of course, that assumes that the drought that has Spain in its grip lessens by then.

If you scroll through the Madrid subforum, which starts here, you will find hundreds of threads, and a bunch of great live threads, including two this year from @David Tallan and @Laurie Sanantone (and apologies if I’ve forgotten others).

You are right that the Fuenfría pass is a big question mark when it comes to snow. I was in Madrid in early February a few years ago and had some extra days, so I walked to Segovia. The pass was open and a bit slushy but no snow to worry about. Others, including @jpflavin1, have walked it much later and found very high snow drifts. But by the last week in April, things are typically clear, I think.

Good luck with your planning, and know there are lots of forum members who are enthusiastic about the Madrid and will be happy to answer questions and give opinions!

Buen camino, Laurie

 

[Catwalk]

Thanks so much for your input, I feel so exited now!!!!

 

[Albertagirl]

I am very busy right now, planning my second walk on the Madrid (followed by the Frances from Sahagun to Ponferrada and the Invierno from Ponferrada to Santiago). This will be my second autumn walk on these routes. I agree that spring on the Madrid would be better than autumn, since the Madrid tends to be dry in the fall, with crops already harvested and vegetation turning brown. Enjoy your planning.