April: Astorga to Finisterre

[Tom Cartwright]

I plan to return to Astorga in April to complete the Camino. I think April will not be a busy time and that it should be easy to find rooms in popular Albergues without too much trouble. Is that correct? And I assume it will be quite cool for most of the walk. Is that correct? Anything else I should be prepared for at that time of the year?
Thanks

 

[Kanga]

Hi Tom, and in case no-one has done it, welcome to the forum and buen camino!

I think you are correct in that it is before the season and albergues should not be overcrowded. April can be glorious, it can even get hot, but it can also get very cold very quickly, so worthwhile searching the forum to find the threads about winter walking and what you might encounter. Here's a start:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...-thinking-of-october-november-or-april.37018/

 

[MTtoCamino]

Each year seems to be unique in April, 2013 very wet & cold 2014 was absolutely beautiful with both cold & hot days. You never know what you will get. Being it is a holy year it most likely will be busy especially starting on Easter forward. Yet it is quite amazing the various local holidays. Go prepared for snow, rain & heat. 30+ C or 90+ F . A 0c bag or I took a 19f bag great the first couple weeks but after that I was just using blankets if the alburgue had them.
Keith

 

[Seabird]

Being it is a holy year it most likely will be busy especially starting on Easter forward.
Keith

According to the Catholic Reporter: "Francis opens his letter to Archbishop Rino Fisichella by saying that he wants the holy year to be "for all believers a true moment of encounter with the mercy of God." He then offers an indulgence, or remission of the punishment for sin, for those that during the year are able to make a pilgrimage to the papal basilicas in Rome or to their local cathedral."

Given the specifics of the Pope's statement, I expect that local cathedrals may be busier, but do members of the Forum think this will affect the Camino routes?

 

[SYates]

... I think April will not be a busy time and that it should be easy to find rooms in popular Albergues without too much trouble. Is that correct? And I assume it will be quite cool for most of the walk. Is that correct? Anything else I should be prepared for at that time of the year?
Thanks

As you expressively say 'popular' albergues you might be surprised how busy they can get even in April. The main Camino season starts around Easter. As for the weather, pretty much all is possible. In my native Germany we say about April weather 'April, April, does as he pleases.' meaning you can have all kind of weather, even in the same day. Buen Camino, SY