Latest viable date to start this year?

[mikeypal]

Hi, I had to postpone my original planned start date of late August-early Sept. for the Camino Frances. Now I'm wondering if I should go for a later start this year or postpone until spring 2024. What would folks say is the latest viable date to start on the Camino? I have no problem walking in colder weather; I'm more concerned about the availability of accommodations. All thoughts welcome, thanks!

 

[Bradypus]

How far are you prepared to walk each day? It is possible to walk the Camino Frances all year round but you may have to walk longer stages in winter when there are fewer places open. I walked from SJPDP to Santiago in January this year.

PS: if luggage transport is important for you then check out when the companies end the service for the winter. On the Camino Frances the only year-round service is on the Sarria to Santiago section.

 

[henrythedog]

Hi, I had to postpone my original planned start date of late August-early Sept. for the Camino Frances. Now I'm wondering if I should go for a later start this year or postpone until spring 2024. What would folks say is the latest viable date to start on the Camino? I have no problem walking in colder weather; I'm more concerned about the availability of accommodations. All thoughts welcome, thanks!

It’s good all year. I only walk between October and March. The accommodation options do reduce; but supply and demand balance and it’s always feasible.

 

[J Willhaus]

If you are walking the Camino Frances there is a winter website which identifies places that are open. It will become active again in early November. I have served as a hospitalera and also walked over the Christmas/New Year time period and it is a wonderful time to walk. Fewer pilgrims, but perhaps a closer "community" of pilgrims that you do meet.

Pagina nueva 1

 

[Bradypus]

Fewer pilgrims, but perhaps a closer "community" of pilgrims that you do meet.

That was certainly my experience this January. I found I had much more in common with those I met than on my previous Camino Frances walk in September 2016.

 

[naplesdon]

I see you are from Philly, so you have experience with unpredictable weather. Be prepared for the possibility of some snowing mountain passes.

 

[MightyFree]

It’s good all year. I only walk between October and March. The accommodation options do reduce; but supply and demand balance and it’s always feasible.

Second this. November and December are wonderful months to walk, just keep an eye on the weather. I got snowed in at Foncebadon my first time. But there are plenty of beds, just double check the albergue is open all year.
Arriving in Santiago at Christmastime is priceless.

 

[JordonOzero]

Hi, I had to postpone my original planned start date of late August-early Sept. for the Camino Frances. Now I'm wondering if I should go for a later start this year or postpone until spring 2024. What would folks say is the latest viable date to start on the Camino? I have no problem walking in colder weather; I'm more concerned about the availability of accommodations. All thoughts welcome, thanks!

As you are comfortable in colder weather, I'd argue that walking in Jan/Feb may be the best time of the year to walk now. I've walked twice in that time frame along the CF and with only 2 exceptions, I was able to find open Albergues. I stayed in a hotel once and a pension the other night but it was a very reasonable cost. The route is very quiet and as others have stated, the company, when you had it, was generally very enjoyable as we all seemed like-minded in our motivation to be there. There are a few challenges to overcome (water fountains turned off, stores and bars closed for the season, etc) but carry a little bag of emergency food (noodles, tuna, nuts, etc) and you will survive the night
Hope you enjoy the off season walk!

 

[JabbaPapa]

What would folks say is the latest viable date to start on the Camino?

31st December 2023.

 

[Septarian]

How far are you prepared to walk each day? It is possible to walk the Camino Frances all year round but you may have to walk longer stages in winter when there are fewer places open. I walked from SJPDP to Santiago in January this year.

PS: if luggage transport is important for you then check out when the companies end the service for the winter. On the Camino Frances the only year-round service is on the Sarria to Santiago section.

We walked the beginning from SJPDP in November. Lots of places closed, so we prebooked. Also used luggage transport. Caminofacil did it, but used private transport and it was more expensive. We had to prebook that too. Having said that, it was beautiful. Not many pilgrims, but it snowed. We‘re Australian, so doing the Camino in the snow was really something. My profile picture shows it.