Advice for walking Camino Frances in early August 2018

[Jose Lopera]

I am walking the Camino Frances starting in Leon on 10/8/18 and I have read some great advice on various topics which I will implement on my journey. I was after advice about booking Albergues before my departure from Australia. I have no time limit for my walk, but due to it being High Season for the Camino I don't want to be sleeping outside.

 

[HedaP]

Hi Jose, welcome to the forum.
If I was you I would book Leon before leaving Australia and if you have an end date I would also book Santiago. As for the rest I would either take it as it comes or book as I go. You can use booking.com or you can ring the accommodation direct. Usually booking the day before works OK with the possible exceptions of festivals.
There is another current thread that may have useful information for you. https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/accommodation-on-the-camino-france.52189/
Wishing you a very buen camino.

 

[Lance Chambers]

If you have an android device can I suggest you grab this app? https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.moemke.android.mycamino

It is free, you can download maps for the Frances free, it allows you to easily develop a plan for daily walking, shows all the accommodation available, including costs, facilities, web addresses, phone numbers, shows you the changes in height above sea-level of each town/village so you know if the going will be tough or not.

It's a great planning app and can be very useful while you're on the path.

Hope to start from Leon in Aug, 2018 as well. I hope you love your time on the Frances.

 

[Arn]

Depending on a few key items...I hope to start at SJPDP in the early fall, this will be my tenth anniversary and my sixth Camino. I fondly remember Leon, it’s beautiful Cathedral, bull ring, helpful Policia Civil and large albergue municipal.
The Camino continually calls you back. The pilgrims you meet, the silence you seek and the grace you receive are with you forever more.
Buen Camino,
Arn

 

[Mally]

If you have an android device can I suggest you grab this app? https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.moemke.android.mycamino

It is free, you can download maps for the Frances free, it allows you to easily develop a plan for daily walking, shows all the accommodation available, including costs, facilities, web addresses, phone numbers, shows you the changes in height above sea-level of each town/village so you know if the going will be tough or not.

It's a great planning app and can be very useful while you're on the path.

Hope to start from Leon in Aug, 2018 as well. I hope you love your time on the Frances.

Hi Lance - that Android app sounds good - would you know if there is an equivalent one for IOS - many thanks

 

[Lance Chambers]

Hi Lance - that Android app sounds good - would you know if there is an equivalent one for IOS - many thanks

I suggest you check the Apple store as I know there are a number available but I have no idea which would match your needs.

They're mostly very cheap and I believe would be worth the price.

Buen Camino

 

[Mally]

I suggest you check the Apple store as I know there are a number available but I have no idea which would match your needs.

They're mostly very cheap and I believe would be worth the price.

Buen Camino

Will do - hoping to have a Good Camino - muchas gracias

 

[Anamiri]

I am walking the Camino Frances starting in Leon on 10/8/18 and I have read some great advice on various topics which I will implement on my journey. I was after advice about booking Albergues before my departure from Australia. I have no time limit for my walk, but due to it being High Season for the Camino I don't want to be sleeping outside.

August will be hot. My first Camino was started on 1/9/16. What I didn't appreciate was the temperature difference between our spring, and a Spanish autumn. 25 degrees Celsius difference. I also didn't appreciate the effect of the jet lag from the 2 and a half day non stop journey from NZ, arriving at SJPDP at 5.00pm and setting off the next morning for Roncesvalles at 6.30am.
It took the first week to become accustomed to the heat. NZ is an island country, the continental climate is much more intense. I hardly used my sleeping bag, I had the lightest I could find, but should have left it at home, and just used my silk liner.
In 2017 we set off in May and the difference was not so noticeable, in fact I actually used my jacket more than once. By the time we reached Galecia and 40 degree Celsius heat, we had acclimatized to it. Although I have to say we treated ourselves in Santiago with an air conditioned apartment, which after all the albergues was heaven. Both times we set off immedaitely the next day, but it made a huge difference starting in a cooler season.