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Search 69,459 Camino Questions

LIVE from the Camino Numbers out of StJPDP today

New Original Camino Gear Designed Especially with The Modern Peregrino In Mind!
I am starting in SJPdP next week : How is the work in the Roncervalles Albergue getting on ?
Still container accomodation ?
 
New Original Camino Gear Designed Especially with The Modern Peregrino In Mind!
I have often wondered what the relationship or correlation is between pilgrims starting at Saint Jean Pied de Port and the eventual total number of pilgrims arriving at the Pilgrim Office. This would include all other pilgrims joining the Camino Frances flow from points to the West, such as Pamplona, Burgos, Leon, and Sarria.

I know that pilgrims doing the "classic" Camino Frances all the way from France are not the total of all who complete a valid Camino on the Frances Route. I also know that there are many variables that could affect this relationship. But, I wonder if there is a rule of thumb that allows us to extrapolate reliably from the 240 daily number to some larger result at the Pilgrim Office later.

Anyone got more insight on this question?
 
I am starting in SJPdP next week : How is the work in the Roncervalles Albergue getting on ?
Still container accomodation ?
Last I heard, there was no entry to the old lodgings, due to overhaul and repairs, and accomodation was conducted in shipping containers or the like !!
 
New Original Camino Gear Designed Especially with The Modern Peregrino In Mind!
I have often wondered what the relationship or correlation is between pilgrims starting at Saint Jean Pied de Port and the eventual total number of pilgrims arriving at the Pilgrim Office. This would include all other pilgrims joining the Camino Frances flow from points to the West, such as Pamplona, Burgos, Leon, and Sarria.

I know that pilgrims doing the "classic" Camino Frances all the way from France are not the total of all who complete a valid Camino on the Frances Route. I also know that there are many variables that could affect this relationship. But, I wonder if there is a rule of thumb that allows us to extrapolate reliably from the 240 daily number to some larger result at the Pilgrim Office later.

Anyone got more insight on this question?

@t2andreo -

I have given it a lot of thought over the last couple years in order to make a plan for when to go and what route to walk. Despite my best efforts, I come up with nothing because of the gaps in the data. (I certainly believe there must be someone brighter than me on the forum so please chip in! :))

Just as a for instance, SJPP is the starting point for roughly 12% of pilgrims as recorded by the Pilgrim Office. That implies a total of approximately 2,000 pilgrims total reaching SdC about 33-35 days out. Yikes!

B
 
Yes, during the summer months, the daily total CAN reach and exceed 2,000 pilgrims per day. I have worked at the Pilgrim Office as a volunteer each summer since 2014, including the weeks straddling the Feast of Santiago on 25 July. I will do so again this year. THAT is when you want to avoid arriving in Santiago. Every bed is booked FAR in advance.

But, choosing when to walk the Camino, is in my view similar to surfing and sitting on one's board beyond the breaking waves to choose the RIGHT wave to ride. Using this metaphor, each wave is a surge of pilgrims. You want to ride in the trough of the waves, not at "peak wave." But the surfing metaphor holds true.

For example, there is usually a surge or wave leaving each major terminus or starting point along the Camino each Sunday and Monday. This includes St. Jean Pied de Port, Pamplona, Burgos, Leon, Ponferrada, and Sarria on the Frances. On the Portuguese, Porto and Tui are popular starting places.

This surge or wave progresses down the Camino at a relatively constant pace. The wave of pilgrims DOES tend to stretch out as the days progress. However, and as a "rule-of-thumb," a pilgrim who started on a Sunday at Pamplona, will likely arrive at Santo Domingo de Calzada the following Friday evening. The particularly applies to the majority of pilgrims who follow the 33 Brierley stages. This wave causes a unique demand on accommodations, both reservable (hotels, hostals, private albergues) and first-come-first served (municipal or public albergues).

Similarly, folks starting at Leon on a Sunday, will tend to arrive at O'Cebreiro the following Friday evening. If you know this spot, you know there is no room at the inn over weekends, as it is a popular place for tourists to visit as well as pilgrims.

This pattern follows through down the entirety of any Camino route. It is most apparent once one reaches Sarria. From there to Santiago, the flow on the Frances is the heaviest.

My advice to pilgrims coming from the East of Sarria is to arrive there from Monday through Thursday evening. This places one wave of pilgrims in front of you, and another behind you. It increases your chance of obtaining your choice of lodging until you reach Santiago. However, it is NOT a guarantee.

Additional considerations, starting in May, include the newly emerging popularity of university student groups on a course that includes walking some portion of a Camino. For most of these organized groups this means from Sarria to Santiago.

The only problem with this facet of the pilgrim population is the demand they create on hotel and hostal accommodations on the route. One group, even if sharing rooms, can easily fill a given location, on any night of the week. The normal wave pattern does not always apply to these sponsored and organized groups.

So, even if you follow the "rule-of-thumb" to avoid the successive weekend-related waves of individual and small groups of pilgrims, you still have to contend with organized groups or students, and other "tourigrinos," who hire tour companies to provide them with the "authentic Camino experience."

I am NOT being critical. I AM merely stating facts as I know them to be.

The only way IMHO to avoid the summer surge from June through September, including the May student groups, and tour groups throughout the season is to walk "off season." For this reason, I and many other veterans choose to walk in the two "hip seasons."

The front season starts about one week after Easter to give those holiday-vacationing pilgrims time to get in front of you. Then, we try to get off the Camino by about mid-June, when all the schools let out and the now free students and others with time off can do their pilgrimages. We simply accept and cope with the competition for beds by the organized May student and tour groups.

The end season starts around the middle of September, after all universities have gone back into session, and continues through the end of October, into early November. The numbers of pilgrims are far lower. The weather is still quite pleasant, and you have entire stretches of Camino to yourself.

The final point is that you need to pick your starting date and location with the above in mind then start to pre-reserve accommodations, unless you are of the group that prefers to walk into a hamlet or village and trust that an albergue will have a bed for you.

I agree that this planning ahead bit DOES spoil some of the spontaneity. But, as Rule One states, each pilgrim walks his or her own Camino. It is not for any other to judge how you choose to accomplish it.

Personally, I have had too much drama in my life to date, so I eschew creating more excitement and uncertainty. Plus, I am too settled in my ways. So, I plan ahead, book a room or bed, and SHOW UP!

I hope this helps.
 
Last edited:
Transport luggage-passengers.
From airports to SJPP
Luggage from SJPP to Roncevalles
Wonderful information and how fortunate to hear from someone with such first-hand experience as having worked in the Pilgrim Office! Thank you t2andreo!

It also helps reinforce the decision to skip the last section altogether this time and take the train from Lugo to Ourense to Santiago for a day (wouldn't like to miss the food and atmosphere) or two before heading down to Portugal.
 
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
Last I heard, there was no entry to the old lodgings, due to overhaul and repairs, and accomodation was conducted in shipping containers or the like !!
When did you last hear? Are renovatoons underway since late 2016, or are we creating some false rumours here? Or just being critical of the newish Roncesvalles albergue? I love the design - the 4 person cubicles, wide hallways and bathroom facilities well removed from the beds, are great. Arguably not cosy, but one doesn't always want "cosy."
 
- not being critical, just wondering - and now not being able to find the OP, stating the info that there was/ had been other arrangements around Roncevalles, that is all....
Interested to hear if - yes there is, or no there is not (repairs going on )....!!!
 
Last edited:
It looks like our start date of Sept 9th will work ok. I have made reservations in St Jean for the nights of the 7th and 8th. Waiting on a reply from Orisson for the 9th.
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
Yes, during the summer months, the daily total CAN reach and exceed 2,000 pilgrims per day. I have worked at the Pilgrim Office as a volunteer each summer since 2014, including the weeks straddling the Feast of Santiago on 25 July. I will do so again this year. THAT is when you want to avoid arriving in Santiago. Every bed is booked FAR in advance.

I just double checked. If my rough plan works out, we will be arriving on exactly July 25. In all my research, I never ran into information about the Feast of Santiago.

I should book something now.
 
Yes you should. Book early if you will be at Santiago de Compostela on or about 25 July. The BIG fireworks at the Cathedral are late on the night of the 24th, leading up to midnight, ushering in the feast day on the 25th.
 
Yes, during the summer months, the daily total CAN reach and exceed 2,000 pilgrims per day. I have worked at the Pilgrim Office as a volunteer each summer since 2014, including the weeks straddling the Feast of Santiago on 25 July. I will do so again this year. THAT is when you want to avoid arriving in Santiago. Every bed is booked FAR in advance.

But, choosing when to walk the Camino, is in my view similar to surfing and sitting on one's board beyond the breaking waves to choose the RIGHT wave to ride. Using this metaphor, each wave is a surge of pilgrims. You want to ride in the trough of the waves, not at "peak wave." But the surfing metaphor holds true.

For example, there is usually a surge or wave leaving each major terminus or starting point along the Camino each Sunday and Monday. This includes St. Jean Pied de Port, Pamplona, Burgos, Leon, Ponferrada, and Sarria on the Frances. On the Portuguese, Porto and Tui are popular starting places.

This surge or wave progresses down the Camino at a relatively constant pace. The wave of pilgrims DOES tend to stretch out as the days progress. However, and as a "rule-of-thumb," a pilgrim who started on a Sunday at Pamplona, will likely arrive at Santo Domingo de Calzada the following Friday evening. The particularly applies to the majority of pilgrims who follow the 33 Brierley stages. This wave causes a unique demand on accommodations, both reservable (hotels, hostals, private albergues) and first-come-first served (municipal or public albergues).

Similarly, folks starting at Leon on a Sunday, will tend to arrive at O'Cebreiro the following Friday evening. If you know this spot, you know there is no room at the inn over weekends, as it is a popular place for tourists to visit as well as pilgrims.

This pattern follows through down the entirety of any Camino route. It is most apparent once one reaches Sarria. From there to Santiago, the flow on the Frances is the heaviest.

My advice to pilgrims coming from the East of Sarria is to arrive there from Monday through Thursday evening. This places one wave of pilgrims in front of you, and another behind you. It increases your chance of obtaining your choice of lodging until you reach Santiago. However, it is NOT a guarantee.

Additional considerations, starting in May, include the newly emerging popularity of university student groups on a course that includes walking some portion of a Camino. For most of these organized groups this means from Sarria to Santiago.

The only problem with this facet of the pilgrim population is the demand they create on hotel and hostal accommodations on the route. One group, even if sharing rooms, can easily fill a given location, on any night of the week. The normal wave pattern does not always apply to these sponsored and organized groups.

So, even if you follow the "rule-of-thumb" to avoid the successive weekend-related waves of individual and small groups of pilgrims, you still have to contend with organized groups or students, and other "tourigrinos," who hire tour companies to provide them with the "authentic Camino experience."

I am NOT being critical. I AM merely stating facts as I know them to be.

The only way IMHO to avoid the summer surge from June through September, including the May student groups, and tour groups throughout the season is to walk "off season." For this reason, I and many other veterans choose to walk in the two "hip seasons."

The front season starts about one week after Easter to give those holiday-vacationing pilgrims time to get in front of you. Then, we try to get off the Camino by about mid-June, when all the schools let out and the now free students and others with time off can do their pilgrimages. We simply accept and cope with the competition for beds by the organized May student and tour groups.

The end season starts around the middle of September, after all universities have gone back into session, and continues through the end of October, into early November. The numbers of pilgrims are far lower. The weather is still quite pleasant, and you have entire stretches of Camino to yourself.

The final point is that you need to pick your starting date and location with the above in mind then start to pre-reserve accommodations, unless you are of the group that prefers to walk into a hamlet or village and trust that an albergue will have a bed for you.

I agree that this planning ahead bit DOES spoil some of the spontaneity. But, as Rule One states, each pilgrim walks his or her own Camino. It is not for any other to judge how you choose to accomplish it.

Personally, I have had too much drama in my life to date, so I eschew creating more excitement and uncertainty. Plus, I am too settled in my ways. So, I plan ahead, book a room or bed, and SHOW UP!

I hope this helps.
Yes, during the summer months, the daily total CAN reach and exceed 2,000 pilgrims per day. I have worked at the Pilgrim Office as a volunteer each summer since 2014, including the weeks straddling the Feast of Santiago on 25 July. I will do so again this year. THAT is when you want to avoid arriving in Santiago. Every bed is booked FAR in advance.

But, choosing when to walk the Camino, is in my view similar to surfing and sitting on one's board beyond the breaking waves to choose the RIGHT wave to ride. Using this metaphor, each wave is a surge of pilgrims. You want to ride in the trough of the waves, not at "peak wave." But the surfing metaphor holds true.

For example, there is usually a surge or wave leaving each major terminus or starting point along the Camino each Sunday and Monday. This includes St. Jean Pied de Port, Pamplona, Burgos, Leon, Ponferrada, and Sarria on the Frances. On the Portuguese, Porto and Tui are popular starting places.

This surge or wave progresses down the Camino at a relatively constant pace. The wave of pilgrims DOES tend to stretch out as the days progress. However, and as a "rule-of-thumb," a pilgrim who started on a Sunday at Pamplona, will likely arrive at Santo Domingo de Calzada the following Friday evening. The particularly applies to the majority of pilgrims who follow the 33 Brierley stages. This wave causes a unique demand on accommodations, both reservable (hotels, hostals, private albergues) and first-come-first served (municipal or public albergues).

Similarly, folks starting at Leon on a Sunday, will tend to arrive at O'Cebreiro the following Friday evening. If you know this spot, you know there is no room at the inn over weekends, as it is a popular place for tourists to visit as well as pilgrims.

This pattern follows through down the entirety of any Camino route. It is most apparent once one reaches Sarria. From there to Santiago, the flow on the Frances is the heaviest.

My advice to pilgrims coming from the East of Sarria is to arrive there from Monday through Thursday evening. This places one wave of pilgrims in front of you, and another behind you. It increases your chance of obtaining your choice of lodging until you reach Santiago. However, it is NOT a guarantee.

Additional considerations, starting in May, include the newly emerging popularity of university student groups on a course that includes walking some portion of a Camino. For most of these organized groups this means from Sarria to Santiago.

The only problem with this facet of the pilgrim population is the demand they create on hotel and hostal accommodations on the route. One group, even if sharing rooms, can easily fill a given location, on any night of the week. The normal wave pattern does not always apply to these sponsored and organized groups.

So, even if you follow the "rule-of-thumb" to avoid the successive weekend-related waves of individual and small groups of pilgrims, you still have to contend with organized groups or students, and other "tourigrinos," who hire tour companies to provide them with the "authentic Camino experience."

I am NOT being critical. I AM merely stating facts as I know them to be.

The only way IMHO to avoid the summer surge from June through September, including the May student groups, and tour groups throughout the season is to walk "off season." For this reason, I and many other veterans choose to walk in the two "hip seasons."

The front season starts about one week after Easter to give those holiday-vacationing pilgrims time to get in front of you. Then, we try to get off the Camino by about mid-June, when all the schools let out and the now free students and others with time off can do their pilgrimages. We simply accept and cope with the competition for beds by the organized May student and tour groups.

The end season starts around the middle of September, after all universities have gone back into session, and continues through the end of October, into early November. The numbers of pilgrims are far lower. The weather is still quite pleasant, and you have entire stretches of Camino to yourself.

The final point is that you need to pick your starting date and location with the above in mind then start to pre-reserve accommodations, unless you are of the group that prefers to walk into a hamlet or village and trust that an albergue will have a bed for you.

I agree that this planning ahead bit DOES spoil some of the spontaneity. But, as Rule One states, each pilgrim walks his or her own Camino. It is not for any other to judge how you choose to accomplish it.

Personally, I have had too much drama in my life to date, so I eschew creating more excitement and uncertainty. Plus, I am too settled in my ways. So, I plan ahead, book a room or bed, and SHOW UP!

I hope this helps.


Thanks Andreo,

Great advice. Are you able to advise when are the best times of day to visit the tourist offices in St Jean and Santiago to pick up your passport and collect your compostella ?

I should be starting in St Jean in early September 2017.


Thanks M
 
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
Wonderful information, Andreo, especially helpful to know about the Sunday, Monday pilgrim starts.
The Camino we walked in late September-October on the Frances was just right: great weather and no crowds. We just walked into albergues and were never turned away, and we were late arrivals, sometimes getting the last beds. This time, we start May 1 on the Portugese, arriving Santiago mid-May, and I have just booked everything in advance for the first time, after hearing about the expected increase in pilgrims to Fatima along the Portugese walking to the 100 anniversary celebration with Pope Francis in attendance. I feel much better knowing that we have lodging as the stages are long for us. And God willing, we WILL SHOW UP!
 
Thanks Andreo,

Great advice. Are you able to advise when are the best times of day to visit the tourist offices in St Jean and Santiago to pick up your passport and collect your compostella ?

I should be starting in St Jean in early September 2017.


Thanks M
Just show up. They are there well into the evening. If you want to avoid queuing, go in between train arrival times.
 
Just show up. They are there well into the evening. If you want to avoid queuing, go in between train arrival times.


In Saint-Jean the office for the Amis du Chemin de Saint Jacques at 39 rue de la Citadelle is open every day of the year and until the arrival of the last transport. Their telephone is 05 59 37 05 09.

January 2010 all trains were VERY late due to ice on the tracks; I telephoned from Bayonne and was warmly welcomed and able to sleep in their office on a very ad hoc 'bunk' thanks to the gracious volunteers...Such is the serendipity of the camino!

Good luck and Buen Camino!
 
New Original Camino Gear Designed Especially with The Modern Peregrino In Mind!
I cannot speak for the Pilgrim Of
Thanks Andreo,

Great advice. Are you able to advise when are the best times of day to visit the tourist offices in St Jean and Santiago to pick up your passport and collect your compostella ?

I should be starting in St Jean in early September 2017.


Thanks M

I cannot speak about the Pilgrim Office at at SJPdP. New pilgrims can obtain both their pilgrim credencial (Passport) and a cool concha (shell) here (for a donation). The address is: rue la Cittadelle 39.

However, at Santiago, the PEAK arrival times, at the Pilgrim Office at Rua Carretas 33, for pilgrims are from 1000 - 1130; for those newly arriving pilgrims who mistakingly believe they can swan into the Pilgrim Office, collect their Compostelas, then make it to the Cathedral in time for the noon Pilgrim MASS. IT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN FOLKS!

I usually tell folks arriving, who insist on waiting in line at 1000 - 1030, to place their rucksacks (mochilas) into the P/O consigna (2 Euro daily) while they are waiting, then wait on line to see if they can squeak it in time to get to the Cathedral in time for Mass. Some make it, many do not. Remember, NO RUCKSACKS are permitted in the Cathedral and there is a security line.

A second "wave" of pilgrims hits the office immediately AFTER the noon Pilgrim Mass gets out, around 1300. This is when the queue can surge to a wait of more than two hours, even with all 12 precessing stations in the office staffed and working. Hence, my advice, given to hundreds of pilgrims daily when I am working the queue of pilgrims waiting to get into the Pilgrim Office is to:

(1) Come at 0800 - 0900 when the P/O first opens in the morning. There are usually up to a couple dozen people waiting for the doors to open, but this short queue is easily handled and the wait is generally less than 30 minutes.

(2) Come at 1215. The Pilgrim Mass has started and there is a brief lull, usually. But the wait can still exceed 45 minutes. A surprising number of pilgrims understand the daily rush for the Pilgrim Mass. They plan to attend the next day's noon Mass, after they have gotten their Compostelas and relaxed for an evening.

(3) Come about 1700 - 1900. The after-Mass wave is usually processed and gone by about 1600. Another "lull" descends, for a few hours. Typically, pilgrims, having attended Mass earlier, gone to their lodgings, showered, and changed into fresh clothes, can stroll in and obtain a Compostela in a relaxed 15 - 30 minutes. They, then find a nice cafe or restaurant for a relaxing meal to celebrate their achievement.

At the end of the business day, about 1930 - 2000, there is a final surge as pilgrims knowing the office closes at 2100, try to get their Compostela before the office closes for the day. Anyone on the queue by about 2030 WILL BE ACCOMMODATED.

Consider that the Pilgrim Office staff have families and lives outside the office too. Their work day ends at 2100 each day. They need to leave timely. Fair is fair...

So, the security folks minding the entry, will admit everyone in queue and the doors are usually closed and locked about 30 minutes before the formal closing time so the remaining pilgrims can be processed. Everyone is handled. Pilgrims who are "shut out" are told to return at 0800 the next morning.

All this explained, if you arrive around a holiday, and especially in the week immediately leading up to the Feast of Santiago on 25 July, ALL BETS ARE OFF. Last year, the daily number of pilgrims served was regularly over 2,000 daily for about a week bracketing the feast day. The queue started to exceed one hour by 0900 each day, and usually remained at 90 to 120 minutes, and sometimes slightly more throughout the day, until just before closing.

My considered advice, after four Caminos and three years working as a volunteer during the summer, around the Feast of Santiago, is to NOT assume you can get it all done in a single day, the day of your arrival. You NEED to give it a day or two to marinate and settle into your psyche.

Doing a Camino makes profound changes in most pilgrims and rushing through the process to get the Compostela, attend Mass, and make an afternoon bus out of Santiago on the same day is just silly, IMHO. Also, nearly everyone spent a significant amount of time and treasure, not to mention sweat and blood to accomplish a pilgrimage. Why diminish that effort? PLAN AHEAD.

I recommend doing nothing the day of arrival except (choose one) get the Compostela, or attend the noon Mass. PLEASE, do not rush through this part of the Camino experience. Savor it! You will be glad you took the time.

During the season, there has been a second Mass at 1930 each evening. Also, the hotel association has, in previous years, funded the use of the Botafumiero every Friday evening at the 1930 Mass. This was the ONLY time we could predictably state that the Botafumeiro would "fly." In truth, I do not know the situation this year. There WAS some discussion about the hoteliers no longer subsidizing this. CHECK WHEN YOU ARRIVE.

On balance, I recommend spending two nights at Santiago on arrival. Albergues will usually let you stay the second night. Relax, soak in the ambiance. Once you depart, you are going back to the real world. For many, it can be a jarring experience.

I hope this helps someone.
 
Last edited:
@t2andreo -

I have given it a lot of thought over the last couple years in order to make a plan for when to go and what route to walk. Despite my best efforts, I come up with nothing because of the gaps in the data. (I certainly believe there must be someone brighter than me on the forum so please chip in! :))

Just as a for instance, SJPP is the starting point for roughly 12% of pilgrims as recorded by the Pilgrim Office. That implies a total of approximately 2,000 pilgrims total reaching SdC about 33-35 days out. Yikes!

B
I have walked the Camino from St. Jean to Finisterre the past 3 years. I always started the last week in June and arrived in Finisterre the first week in Aug. I never had reservations, but had no problems finding a place to sleep. Only about 5% of pilgrims go beyond Santiago, so the Alburgues are nearly empty. It is well worth taking an extra 3 days to walk to the Atlantic because of the beauty. Buses run 4 or 5 times a day from Finisterre back to Santiago. In Santiago, there is always room at the Hotel Santa Cruz. Go to address # 18 on the same street that Compostellas are issued and ask for Maria. She will find you a room.
 
I have walked the Camino from St. Jean to Finisterre the past 3 years. I always started the last week in June and arrived in Finisterre the first week in Aug. I never had reservations, but had no problems finding a place to sleep. Only about 5% of pilgrims go beyond Santiago, so the Alburgues are nearly empty. It is well worth taking an extra 3 days to walk to the Atlantic because of the beauty. Buses run 4 or 5 times a day from Finisterre back to Santiago. In Santiago, there is always room at the Hotel Santa Cruz. Go to address # 18 on the same street that Compostellas are issued and ask for Maria. She will find you a room.
Compostelas are no longer issued (from last year) on Rua do Vilar. The Pilgrim Office moved to Rua das Carretas but Hotel Santa Cruz is still in Rua do Vilar ;)
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
Yes you should. Book early if you will be at Santiago de Compostela on or about 25 July. The BIG fireworks at the Cathedral are late on the night of the 24th, leading up to midnight, ushering in the feast day on the 25th.

Any advice on a place to stay?
 
Any advice on a place to stay?

Start with www.booking.com for hotels, hostals, and private albergues. You would be surprised at how many are there. Also, a lot of folks rely on www.gronze.com for lodging alternatives as well.

While hotels do cost more, after all the time, effort, and expense you put into making your Camino, splurge! Share a room with someone else to help contain costs. A double typically costs less than two singles.

In terms of dates, you WANT to have a reserved place to stay for the nights of 23, 24, and 25 July. Outside that peak, peak, you should have better access to first-come-first-served accommodations at Santiago.

I hope this helps.
 
New Original Camino Gear Designed Especially with The Modern Peregrino In Mind!
Aug/16 - Roncesvalles Alberge was beautiful and modern from the stairwell and optional elevators to the bunk style cubicles accomodating 4 people each all the way through to the wash /bath / shower rooms.

On the main level were both kitchen and Laundry rooms.
 
Next week on friday I will be for the 3rd time working as hospitalero in the auberge Roncesvalles! A nice place to work and meet you all!
The question about the containers, how they are! They are the new ones on the pictures, shown in a earlier reply. 8 beds in a container!
 
April 2016 - 501 arrivals in Santiago
April 2017 - 858 average for the first 22 days!

Easter was in March last year, so the larger daily numbers were in March, not April, but the Easter week this year had numbers that dwarfed last year even when March is included.

This summer could be interesting. ;);)
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
Next week on friday I will be for the 3rd time working as hospitalero in the auberge Roncesvalles! A nice place to work and meet you all!
The question about the containers, how they are! They are the new ones on the pictures, shown in a earlier reply. 8 beds in a container!
They are tight! The heaters work ridiculously well. We stayed in container J last Sept 17. The trailers across the way that serve as bathrooms have irregular electricity.
 
I do not mind containers and ir-regular electricity wouldn´t bother me, I haven´t shaved for years.
As long as there is a dry bed. Will I miss the chorus of Roncadores ??
 
In a post on their Facebook page the Colegiata has announced that from Monday they will no longer be offering beds in the overspill camp. Only 183 beds in total will be available in the albergue. Once these are allocated pilgrims will have to seek alternative accommodation in nearby villages.

https://www.facebook.com/ColeRoncesvalle/
 
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
I am starting in SJPdP next week : How is the work in the Roncervalles Albergue getting on ?
Still container accomodation ?
I found it a very nice building with very good accommodations. My start day was the 13th of April 2017
 
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
Yes, during the summer months, the daily total CAN reach and exceed 2,000 pilgrims per day. I have worked at the Pilgrim Office as a volunteer each summer since 2014, including the weeks straddling the Feast of Santiago on 25 July. I will do so again this year. THAT is when you want to avoid arriving in Santiago. Every bed is booked FAR in advance.

But, choosing when to walk the Camino, is in my view similar to surfing and sitting on one's board beyond the breaking waves to choose the RIGHT wave to ride. Using this metaphor, each wave is a surge of pilgrims. You want to ride in the trough of the waves, not at "peak wave." But the surfing metaphor holds true.

For example, there is usually a surge or wave leaving each major terminus or starting point along the Camino each Sunday and Monday. This includes St. Jean Pied de Port, Pamplona, Burgos, Leon, Ponferrada, and Sarria on the Frances. On the Portuguese, Porto and Tui are popular starting places.

This surge or wave progresses down the Camino at a relatively constant pace. The wave of pilgrims DOES tend to stretch out as the days progress. However, and as a "rule-of-thumb," a pilgrim who started on a Sunday at Pamplona, will likely arrive at Santo Domingo de Calzada the following Friday evening. The particularly applies to the majority of pilgrims who follow the 33 Brierley stages. This wave causes a unique demand on accommodations, both reservable (hotels, hostals, private albergues) and first-come-first served (municipal or public albergues).

Similarly, folks starting at Leon on a Sunday, will tend to arrive at O'Cebreiro the following Friday evening. If you know this spot, you know there is no room at the inn over weekends, as it is a popular place for tourists to visit as well as pilgrims.

This pattern follows through down the entirety of any Camino route. It is most apparent once one reaches Sarria. From there to Santiago, the flow on the Frances is the heaviest.

My advice to pilgrims coming from the East of Sarria is to arrive there from Monday through Thursday evening. This places one wave of pilgrims in front of you, and another behind you. It increases your chance of obtaining your choice of lodging until you reach Santiago. However, it is NOT a guarantee.

Additional considerations, starting in May, include the newly emerging popularity of university student groups on a course that includes walking some portion of a Camino. For most of these organized groups this means from Sarria to Santiago.

The only problem with this facet of the pilgrim population is the demand they create on hotel and hostal accommodations on the route. One group, even if sharing rooms, can easily fill a given location, on any night of the week. The normal wave pattern does not always apply to these sponsored and organized groups.

So, even if you follow the "rule-of-thumb" to avoid the successive weekend-related waves of individual and small groups of pilgrims, you still have to contend with organized groups or students, and other "tourigrinos," who hire tour companies to provide them with the "authentic Camino experience."

I am NOT being critical. I AM merely stating facts as I know them to be.

The only way IMHO to avoid the summer surge from June through September, including the May student groups, and tour groups throughout the season is to walk "off season." For this reason, I and many other veterans choose to walk in the two "hip seasons."

The front season starts about one week after Easter to give those holiday-vacationing pilgrims time to get in front of you. Then, we try to get off the Camino by about mid-June, when all the schools let out and the now free students and others with time off can do their pilgrimages. We simply accept and cope with the competition for beds by the organized May student and tour groups.

The end season starts around the middle of September, after all universities have gone back into session, and continues through the end of October, into early November. The numbers of pilgrims are far lower. The weather is still quite pleasant, and you have entire stretches of Camino to yourself.

The final point is that you need to pick your starting date and location with the above in mind then start to pre-reserve accommodations, unless you are of the group that prefers to walk into a hamlet or village and trust that an albergue will have a bed for you.

I agree that this planning ahead bit DOES spoil some of the spontaneity. But, as Rule One states, each pilgrim walks his or her own Camino. It is not for any other to judge how you choose to accomplish it.

Personally, I have had too much drama in my life to date, so I eschew creating more excitement and uncertainty. Plus, I am too settled in my ways. So, I plan ahead, book a room or bed, and SHOW UP!

I hope this helps.
Very good advice. My own experience is that if you find yourself on the top of the wave take a short day or long day and re-set the cycle. Also aim for villages between the guide book stops. Everyone is aiming for the same end point. The service and experience is great in the smaller destinations. Ultimately the journey and God will provide.
 
It looks like our start date of Sept 9th will work ok. I have made reservations in St Jean for the nights of the 7th and 8th. Waiting on a reply from Orisson for the 9th.
We started on 9 Sep in '14, great time to be doing a Camino!
 
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