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Starting from Burgos last week of August vs. first week of September?

kes93

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
2021
Hola peregrinos!

I asked for help last year on this amazing camino forum and received some valuable information that helped me a lot, so I thought about I might try my luck at getting some other perspective again this year.

I'm returning to Spain to complete my journey on the Camino Frances, which I began last year. I started in SJPDP on 6th of August and ended in Burgos last year on the 19th of August. This year I'm planning on starting from Burgos on the 21st of August and perhaps ending in Santiago on the 10th of September.

What I really enjoyed on the way last year was the social experience and at the same time it wasn't completely overcrowded. I also liked that I could travel light mainly packing t-shirts and shorts. Although it was managable, I didn't enjoy when the temperatures rose above 30 degrees celsius. As I felt that you were in a constant race against the sun and the clock. Also the warm nights made sleeping a challenge.

I know temperatures like this are somewhat unavoidable in this season and in the Meseta, but my question is if there would be any advantage in postponing by a week starting from 28th of august and ending around the 17th of September. Does it matter and will the experience be any different - taking the amount of pilgrims in consideration and I will be crossing Castille y Leon and Galacia this time.

I feel like I almost can't postpone my excitement any more, so nevertheless it will be around these weeks I will take my 3-week summer vacation into use.

I hope you have a great day and I'll appreciate your viewpoints!
 
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I’d suggest August 28; it might be a degree or two cooler. In a ‘normal’ year, if anyone can still remember one of those; there’s a slight drop in peregrinos starting from St Jean in late August; followed by an increase in numbers around week 3 (corrected below) of September.

You will not be lonely this year whichever of your dates you pick.
 
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I don't think that you'll find a lot of difference.
Since you will be starting from Burgos you will be ahead of the masses starting from SJPDP during the first two weeks of September.
 
As @trecile has said via the graph, numbers wise wont make any difference and despite what the earlier posters have said this year is less busy, from a historical perspective, for people starting from St. Jean. However, last year was unusual and still affected by Covid and so you may notice more pilgrims around you from Burgos.

Where there is a large increase in numbers this year is from O Cebreiro onwards and in particular from Sarria. However, going on historical numbers, pilgrim numbers from O Cebreiro onwards drop dramatically in September and on this basis leaving Burgos on the 28th August will probably give you the best timing in terms of numbers of other people walking.

Weather wise I am very reluctant to predict but you might hope for a slightly cooler journey starting on the 28th vs 21st.

Another thing to consider, both the 21st and 28th are Sundays. I have found it preferable to leave major cities mid-week rather than during a weekend or Monday.

Buen Camino and enjoy your time.
 
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Hola @kes93 If you are not one who can cope with the heat then a weeks delay might help. My other recommendation is not to try to cover the 20+ km (12 miles) that Brierley has in his guide book. I would start off with a few shorter days ( say to Rabe de las Calzadas for day one). Then to Hontanas for day two and once your feet and legs are back in gear take it as it comes. If temps over 35C (95F) are forecast then early starts might be better, but be sure to carry enough water for half the day and refill often also take longer rests over shorter stages. Buen Camino.
 
It will probably be crowded and as Trecile points out September probably more so. It will probably be really hot as everyone points out this year is a furnace. How crowded, how hot, which week, roll the dice and find out. Buen Camino.
 
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Hola peregrinos!

I asked for help last year on this amazing camino forum and received some valuable information that helped me a lot, so I thought about I might try my luck at getting some other perspective again this year.

I'm returning to Spain to complete my journey on the Camino Frances, which I began last year. I started in SJPDP on 6th of August and ended in Burgos last year on the 19th of August. This year I'm planning on starting from Burgos on the 21st of August and perhaps ending in Santiago on the 10th of September.

What I really enjoyed on the way last year was the social experience and at the same time it wasn't completely overcrowded. I also liked that I could travel light mainly packing t-shirts and shorts. Although it was managable, I didn't enjoy when the temperatures rose above 30 degrees celsius. As I felt that you were in a constant race against the sun and the clock. Also the warm nights made sleeping a challenge.

I know temperatures like this are somewhat unavoidable in this season and in the Meseta, but my question is if there would be any advantage in postponing by a week starting from 28th of august and ending around the 17th of September. Does it matter and will the experience be any different - taking the amount of pilgrims in consideration and I will be crossing Castille y Leon and Galacia this time.

I feel like I almost can't postpone my excitement any more, so nevertheless it will be around these weeks I will take my 3-week summer vacation into use.

I hope you have a great day and I'll appreciate your viewpoints!
Im returning to complete this year after doing sjpdp to castrojeriz in 2019 and starting from Burgos on 17th sept for exactly this reason. Still warm, still busy, but not quite as much as july/aug. Im a rotten sleeper in the heat so going slightly later made sense to me.
Buen Camino
 
Grateful for all your informative answers! Thanks! I'm thinking of going on the 28th of August and walking through the first 3 weeks of September.

I feel like I'm alright at handling the heat, but I did think the rising temperatures sometimes brought unnecessary stress for reaching the next town and you had to be more aware of how you planned your breaks and wake-up time. I definitely took it as a part of the experience but hoping this year for some more days with a bit milder warm temperatures. I'm from Scandinavia, so in a sense, I'm often seeking the warmer temperatures when going abroad - but everything in moderation 😄

I've got the impression that I don't have to change a whole lot in my backpack when going in September instead of August. I'm thinking of still going with mainly shorts and t-shirts. A thin long sleeved shirt/jacket. Some lightweight joggers. Do you have other suggestions in regards to going in this month? Will it be alright to bring a poncho instead of a rain jacket, as I feel like that would take up some space in my backpack?

Thanks again!
 

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