Winter Pilgrims: open albergues site

[Rebekah Scott]

Lourdes Lluch, the original CF hospitalera, now maintains an updated listing of albergues open during the "down months." Find it here: http://www.aprinca.com/alberguesinvierno/

 

[mikevasey]

Thanks, this has already helped me. Just checked through it and have had to reconsider one possible stop for my short camino in January.

 

[CaminoMatto]

Great list, very very helpful thanks so much!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Great list, very very helpful thanks so much!

I agree. The open albergue in Azofra is the church, not the two-bed-per-cubicle one. Don't expect heat, but the kitchen works.

 

[nidarosa]

Just to clarify: the "down months" would be November through February, I take it? So in March most places will be open again?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

So in March most places will be open again?

Opening is more like April 1-15 rather than March.

 

[nidarosa]

Thanks, Falcon, helpful as always! - and also oops. I have made some reservations for the first and second night but will study my CSJ guide more closely for addresses for private accommodation before I go. March is the only time we can go so might as well make the most of it and up the luxury a bit ...

 

[Rebekah Scott]

I am not the keeper of the list, but the "down season" is usually mid-December through Holy Week.

 

[nidarosa]

Thanks, Rebekah, I appreciate it - that will make it easier to plan! Now if someone could please guarantee what weather we will get... Merry Christmas everyone and buen camino!

 

[Rachael]

St. Jean tends to "open" on Palm Sunday, I've noticed.

 

[ivar]

Great resource! I have added this to the Camino Resources section as well for future winter pilgrims:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/resources/winter-pilgrims-open-albergues.271/

Thanks Rebekah!
Ivar

 

[Brisbanegee]

Thanks, Falcon, helpful as always! - and also oops. I have made some reservations for the first and second night but will study my CSJ guide more closely for addresses for private accommodation before I go. March is the only time we can go so might as well make the most of it and up the luxury a bit ...

Hi when in March are you heading off?

1st for us

Buen Camino

 

[nidarosa]

@Brisbanegee : We are walking from Astorga in the middle of March and plan to be in Santiago before the end of the month. Third time for me, first time together!

 

[Brisbanegee]

@Brisbanegee : We are walking from Astorga in the middle of March and plan to be in Santiago before the end of the month. Third time for me, first time together!

@nidarosa Your third time and to do so quick is amazing. Hope to see you on the way somewhere. Do you have any tips? I have been told a GPS is a good idea, i also know the path is signed well. We only have 30 days and can not afford to get lost, but want to experience the walk

Cheers Glenn

 

[nidarosa]

If you have set aside 30 days I assume you are starting way further back than we are. Astorga is "only" 250 kms from Santiago and usually takes about two weeks, compared to Roncesvalles which is 790 kms away. Where do you start? I would say that GPS is unnecessary as the path is pretty well signposted and also locals are quick to point you back to the right way if you should stray off it ... besides getting a bit lost now and then is good for the soul. Bring a guide book or download one to your phone and you'll be fine. All the info you could ever want is on this forum, so read and enjoy!

 

[Brisbanegee]

If you have set aside 30 days I assume you are starting way further back than we are. Astorga is "only" 250 kms from Santiago and usually takes about two weeks, compared to Roncesvalles which is 790 kms away. Where do you start? I would say that GPS is unnecessary as the path is pretty well signposted and also locals are quick to point you back to the right way if you should stray off it ... besides getting a bit lost now and then is good for the soul. Bring a guide book or download one to your phone and you'll be fine. All the info you could ever want is on this forum, so read and enjoy!

Great advise

Starting at SJPdP and so looking forward to it

Safe travels.

Buen Camino

 

[mikevasey]

Just thought I would give this a little bump and add a bit. I am staying in Albergue Vieira in San Martin Del Camino if you continue along the main road another Albergue is open about 100 metres along on the same side.

The Vieira has a warm welcome, heating and water.

 

[mikevasey]

Going to add a little more info. I stayed in Albergue Encina in Hospital de Obrigo last night, I really like the parish albergue but with -2 temps at midday I thought I give the outdoor showers a miss. It was very frosty and misty when I left there this morning and was tempted to walk the road way to Astorga but went right, through the more rural areas and was rewarded with clear views as I started climbing later, the colder denser air going to the lower areas. No bars or cafes were open in the next two villages, but the little rest place which david offers to pilgrims has a warm stove, coffee and welcome. I am in Santa Catalina in the El Caminante, if you ask for the albergue they will offer it to you, but I am staying in an individual room, if I am going to drink wine which I am tonight I stay away from dorms- I snore.

 

[SYates]

If there is one hospitalero I admire most on the Camino, it is David! His dedication and commitment are exceptional! No offence meant to the many, many other ones that are doing a stellar job also! SY

 

[mikevasey]

The last time I saw him was in 2010, I stopped had a coffee, got the sello, said a few words, moved on. This time I stopped for an hour, what I recognised with him and a few other people on the Camino I have met over the years is a sense of peace. One pilgrim walked by, David offered him a welcome and a few words ' Attention. Secrets of the Way' and it is true! But the pilgrim had more pressing matters and walked rapidly by and I am not critising him because I have done the same, but I will take the lesson that I have to be more receptive.

 

[mikevasey]

My Camino is now over. Took a bad fall last night, my left shin now has 10-12 inch scar down it, which if I fell again and knocked it could cause problems, have to find a way from Cacabelos to Paris tomorrow, not the best time to be going, but the Camino in its make or break relationships score is 1-1 for me and I don't want it to go 1-2, so Paris it is.

For Info El Pillar is open in Rabanal they are a very welcoming family.

 

[peregrina2000]

My Camino is now over. Took a bad fall last night, my left shin now has 10-12 inch scar down it, which if I fell again and knocked it could cause problems, have to find a way from Cacabelos to Paris tomorrow, not the best time to be going, but the Camino in its make or break relationships score is 1-1 for me and I don't want it to go 1-2, so Paris it is.

For Info El Pillar is open in Rabanal they are a very welcoming family.View attachment 15637

So sorry to hear this, Mike. Hope you recover quickly and get to planning your next Camino! Laurie