September in Via de la Plata?

[b344433]

Hi, I have walked the french way before and loved it truly.
I want to walk again, beginning around September 1st. This time I'm thinking of via de la plata.
Is this a good time to start? Is this a recommend way?
I have roughly 1.5 months, maybe 2 months if I stretch it.
I would love to hear your thoughts , maybe you even have another option.
Thank you.

 

[Albertagirl]

The Via de la Plata is gradually becoming a more popular route. I would never begin it so early in the fall. I began my walk in Sevilla on Oct. 3 and temperatures were in the mid-30's all the way to Salamanca, halfway to Santiago. And there had been a death on that route earlier in the fall, which may have been influenced by dehydration. But if you come from a warm climate you may be more comfortable than I was. If you must leave that early, always carry plenty of water. It is a camino which is well worth walking.

 

[dreymorris]

Depending on international travel guidelines, I am also hoping to start in Salamanca late September. Fingers crossed.

 

[b344433]

Thanks for your inputs.
I think mid September is the latest I could push my start date. I don't enjoy tremendous heat although coming from warm-ish climate.
Should I think of a different path? Any recommendations? Generally I also want to encounter some pilgrims but really don't want the traffic of CF.
Already been on CF and on the Portuguese, and want something new.

 

[Deleted member 73526]

If you don't like extreme heat, you could start in the north and progress south as the season progresses. If you walk VDLP in reverse starting at the start of September, you could reach Seville around mid-October, (assuming 25km/ day).

 

[b344433]

If you don't like extreme heat, you could start in the north and progress south as the season progresses. If you walk VDLP in reverse starting at the start of September, you could reach Seville around mid-October, (assuming 25km/ day).

Thanks.
I've walked "against-traffic" before and it wasn't so good for me. Although vdlp doesn't have such huge traffic as I understand I really prefer to walk towards Santiago. Another option is to walk to Rome - but I don't think I'm ready for that yet.

What do you think of Madrid as a starting point in mid-September?
Most of the map plans I saw were connection to CF in Sahagun - is there a way to start in Madrid and divert to vdlp instead of CF? I want to avoid CF as much as possible.
If Sahagun is the only way from Madrid, I guess I could think of Madrid->Sahagun->Leon->Obviedo->Santiago.
Any thoughts on these options?

 

[Albertagirl]

I began the Madrid on Sept. 25, 2019. It was comfortable, in terms of heat, to walk then, but with the air full of dust from farmers cultivating their fields, not ideal for someone allergic to dust. From Sahagun, I followed the Frances to Ponferrada, then the Invierno to Santiago. This route was, in total, about 750 kms, so three quarters the length of the VdlP. Both the Madrid and the Invierno are well worth walking.

 

[Derek Booth]

How about the Camino Portuguese.
Start in Lisbon and I think its about 625kms and doable in about a month.

Because it starts at a more Northerly Lat. the temps should be more equable for walking.

PS The Portuguese people are a lovely lot.

 

[Deleted member 73526]

There is not much pedestrian traffic to speak of on the VDLP in September. After Ourense, you will probably encounter a handful people per day, if that. But if you want to walk toward Santiago, then so be it.

Madrid looks a little cooler than Seville in early September, but it's still pretty hot.

Climate Graph for Madrid, Spain

www.madrid.climatemps.com

Seville Climate Seville Temperatures Seville Weather Averages

www.seville.climatemps.com

You might find a more comfortable temperature on a coastal route - Camino del Norte or Camino Portugues.

The Via Francigena to Rome has a somewhat different atmosphere from Caminos in Spain. You can find some threads in the VF forum that discuss how it differs from walking in Spain.

It is probably starting a new thread in the general planning thread with a title that tells people that you're weighing up various routes:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/forums/general-planning-and-preparation-for-any-camino.297/

 

[lt56ny]

I agree with Raggy if you are going to walk that early in the year you should consider the Norte. Being along the coast will afford you cooler temperatures. There will still be some tourist crowds I imagine. The Norte is beautiful, There is pretty good infrastructure (But now I don't know how good) There are some great pilgrims that walk the Norte. I started in the beginning of October in 2018 and there was never any problems with too many pilgrims or too few beds but again it was 2018.
I will start the VDLP this year on October 15th. I am still afraid it may be a little early and I could still encounter some really hot days. I think as others have stated starting even in mid September is not only foolish as you don't like extreme heat but dangerous as well. Some walk it then. I have a pilgrim friend who walked started in Mid September 2018 and he says it was the biggest mistake he could have possibly made.

 

[lt56ny]

How about the Camino Portuguese.
Start in Lisbon and I think its about 625kms and doable in about a month.

Because it starts at a more Northerly Lat. the temps should be more equable for walking.

PS The Portuguese people are a lovely lot.

I have walked the Portuguese from Lisbon and started in late September. I know every year the weather can change but it seems to be changing for the worst that is for sure. It was very hot every single day until Porto. The weather was perfect and not a cloud in the sky but also not a hint of shade anywhere. It was walkable but it was very hot. Better have water and sunscreen and alot of both. You are 100% correct the Portuguese people are the best in the world and if you need water just knock on a door and people are there to help!

 

[andylm65]

Thanks for your inputs.
I think mid September is the latest I could push my start date. I don't enjoy tremendous heat although coming from warm-ish climate.
Should I think of a different path? Any recommendations? Generally I also want to encounter some pilgrims but really don't want the traffic of CF.
Already been on CF and on the Portuguese, and want something new.

The Norte is good in September.

 

[b344433]

Thanks you all!
For now Madrid seems like my preferred way, as vdlp is too hot, and The Norte I am slightly less interested in (too crowded?), and I walked most of the way from Lisbon already.
I might take the coastal Camino Portuguese, or de Madrid. We'll see
PS I LOVE the Portuguese people!!!

 

[Pilgrim Patricia]

Thanks you all!
For now Madrid seems like my preferred way, as vdlp is too hot, and The Norte I am slightly less interested in (too crowded?), and I walked most of the way from Lisbon already.
I might take the coastal Camino Portuguese, or de Madrid. We'll see
PS I LOVE the Portuguese people!!!

I agree it's a pretty warm time of year to do the VdlP. You could do some version of what I did: Start in Zamora or Salamanca, go to Santiago, then back to Seville by some means (bus, train, air) and walk to Zamora/Salamanca from there. You'll get the best weather on both parts of the VdlP that way, although the meseta will be hot and it doing it in two chunks will potentially involve "planes, trains and automobiles".

 

[trecile]

Thanks you all!
For now Madrid seems like my preferred way, as vdlp is too hot, and The Norte I am slightly less interested in (too crowded?), and I walked most of the way from Lisbon already.
I might take the coastal Camino Portuguese, or de Madrid. We'll see
PS I LOVE the Portuguese people!!!

I don't think that the Norte will be too crowded in September, and it is really a beautiful route.