What to expect in November?

[eamann]

I may be able to get away in November for a three-week walk on the Vía de la Plata and I would be grateful to hear from those of you who have done so in the past. (I have read various contributions in other threads.)

- is the shorter length of daylight a serious problem?

- do a significant number of albergues close down? (In November 2013 barely 120 pilgrims arrived in Santiago along the Vía de la Plata - excluding the 175 who began in Ourense.)

- what weather can generally be expected in November?

I could start off in Seville and walk as far as Cañaveral from where I could take the train to Madrid. Or I could start off in Cañaveral and finish in Santiago. The latter would be psychologically more satisfying but if the weather is going to be colder and wetter than on the southern half, then I would prefer the latter. I have already walked the Vía de la Plata (spring 2006) so the weather factor could well determine my choice.

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with me!

 

[alansykes]

I've done the Via de la Plata twice in November, starting in Seville on the 1st and the 17th. Both times the weather in Andalusia and Extremadura was wonderful. On all three of my caminos I've been soaked in Galicia in late November/December - I suspect that's pretty inevitable but even in Galicia I had some glorious days as well. I got mild frost bite in freezing fog near Zamora one year so carrying good gloves etc is a good idea.

And you can get an autumnal bucket thrown over you even in sunny Seville - when I arrived there on 15th November 2012 it had apparently been raining almost continuously for 10 days, and I had to make a long detour to Guillena as the arroyo on the camino, which normally barely covers your ankles, was a river over 6 foot deep.

All the albergues I wanted to sleep at were open, except the one by the Alcántara reservoir, but it's probably worth checking in case things have changed. The autumn colours in Extremadura and in the sierra south of Salamanca were lovely.

 

[eamann]

Thank you Alan for your quick and informative reply. I am encouraged that you enjoyed your two walks along the Vía de la Plata in November. If I do get the opportunity to leave, I will certainly head for Spain, probably starting in Sevilla.