VDLP in October - Too cold?

[Renato Torres]

Hi !
I have scheduled to start VLDP in october. Does anybody have an idea about the weather and opened albergues?

Thanks in advance.

Renato Torres

 

[Latecomer]

I started with several friends the first week of September. The general theme was that it started hot and got progressively cooler and wetter as we moved north (and it got later in the season).

The one thing I can tell you for sure, is that you will want some gloves and something to keep your ears warm in the morning. I bought some cheap gloves and a knit hat in Mombuey, on October 2 (I think). I felt lucky to find a shop with a bit of selection, but if I had brought some originally, they would have been higher quality and less bulky.

We were never cold in albergues (or small inns / hostels) and arrived in SdC on October 16.

 

[Renato Torres]

Thank you Latecomer.
I'm planning to bring gloves and hat also.

 

[LTfit]

Depends on the year because I walked from Salamanca to SdC late October arriving in SdC on November 3 and I had lovely weather all the way wearing 3/4 leggings and a t-shirt. It didn't rain until the day after I arrived.

 

[Castilian]

Hi Renato Torres! Welcome to the forum!

It isn't possible to know how'll be the weather this year. Another point to have in mind is that October is a variable month so you may be having hot days and one day start in the blink of an eye the cold or you may have a few cold days and returning later the heat for some days or... As an average, maximum temperatures in Zamora (city) would be something like 18-19ºC and minimum temperatures something like 8-9ºC. But, of course, specific days could be hotter or colder (so give or take 3ºC from the averages I quoted to get a better picture of what you may find) and the year may be a not average year (i.e.: either a hot one or a cold one). Generally speaking anywhere Southern than Plasencia should be several degrees hotter than Zamora being Sevilla several degrees hotter than Cáceres and Cáceres several degrees hotter than Zamora. On the other hand, if you continue on the Sanabrés, the area of Sanabria is likely to be several degrees colder than Zamora. In Sanabria, on a cold day, you may/might find temperatures below 0ºC (or close to it).

What it's almost guaranteed is that you'll find some rain along the route.

 

[Renato Torres]

Thanks LTfit and Castilian.
My guess is that I´ll have higher temperatures at the beginning of the VDLP way and during the way the temperatures will be lower.
So I have to carry clothes for high and low temperatures (and some rain )...

 

[C clearly]

So I have to carry clothes for high and low temperatures (and some rain)

In fact, that is the advice I would give for most of the year, and most of the routes!

 

[CiCi Edwards-Jensen]

Hi !
I have scheduled to start VLDP in october. Does anybody have an idea about the weather and opened albergues?

Thanks in advance.

Renato Torres

Hi there, we are also walking VDLP in October - weather forecast 2015 looked good - we are expecting it to be rainy getting into November and of course colder as we walk north however October should be pretty good I think - it will be what it is and we will just have to 'go with it' . More research to be done re accommodation - October shouldnt be too bad - November may be more of an issue. Let us know what you find and so will we. Cheers

 

[AlanSykes]

Hi there, we are also walking VDLP in October - weather forecast 2015 looked good - we are expecting it to be rainy getting into November and of course colder as we walk north however October should be pretty good I think - it will be what it is and we will just have to 'go with it' . More research to be done re accommodation - October shouldnt be too bad - November may be more of an issue. Let us know what you find and so will we. Cheers

I've walked the VdlP twice in November and December. Once I had no rain from Andalucía to Sanabria, with the downside being that I got mild frostbite on my hands in freezing fog near Zamora.

The only albergues I've ever found closed on the route were the (private) ones at Alcántara reservoir and Puebla de Sanabria.

 

[CiCi Edwards-Jensen]

Thank you for this info - appreciated - Cheers

I've walked the VdlP twice in November and December. Once I had no rain from Andalucía to Sanabria, with the downside being that I got mild frostbite on my hands in freezing fog near Zamora.

The only albergues I've ever found closed on the route were the (private) ones at Alcántara reservoir and Puebla de Sanabria.

 

[Renato Torres]

Hi there, we are also walking VDLP in October - weather forecast 2015 looked good - we are expecting it to be rainy getting into November and of course colder as we walk north however October should be pretty good I think - it will be what it is and we will just have to 'go with it' . More research to be done re accommodation - October shouldnt be too bad - November may be more of an issue. Let us know what you find and so will we. Cheers

Thank you !
I'll let you know for sure!
Regards

 

[Renato Torres]

I've walked the VdlP twice in November and December. Once I had no rain from Andalucía to Sanabria, with the downside being that I got mild frostbite on my hands in freezing fog near Zamora.

The only albergues I've ever found closed on the route were the (private) ones at Alcántara reservoir and Puebla de Sanabria.

Thank you alansykes for the info!

 

[Renato Torres]

In fact, that is the advice I would give for most of the year, and most of the routes!

Yes, the basic pilgrim clothes kit! Thank you!

 

[PaulG]

Hi !
I have scheduled to start VLDP in october. Does anybody have an idea about the weather and opened albergues?

Thanks in advance.

Renato Torres

I'm currently walking the VDLP and I've just headed west on the Sanabrés from Granja. The weather is not too bad - today was 14 degrees C and overcast but it's forecast to warm up in a few days. All the albergues are open and most nights there are 4 - 10 pilgrims. You can see lots of photos in my blog paulscamino.com

 

[sharon w]

I'm currently walking the VDLP and I've just headed west on the Sanabrés from Granja. The weather is not too bad - today was 14 degrees C and overcast but it's forecast to warm up in a few days. All the albergues are open and most nights there are 4 - 10 pilgrims. You can see lots of photos in my blog paulscamino.com

Have been reading your blog every day, Paul. Have found it very useful for our upcoming Camino in April, 2017. Also, love the photos. Thanks so much.