The earliest week that the trails are clear

[See You Soon]

Please give guestimates about the EARLIEST date /week you hikers have been able to safely walk the Norte. I expect the mud and a lack of services, BUT - - any ideas on when the best starting date from Santander would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and peace

 

[Roger0704]

well...
I am starting from the 10th of April .
Started last year around that time on the CF and that was good.
So I hope that will be the same on the North

 

[Jan_D]

Not sure what you mean by "safely". You're very unlikely to get snow on the Norte, and the temperatures are much milder - in fact I just checked and it's going to be 15°C in Santander next week (I recently came back from a Norte winter walk, and the weather was absolutely wonderful!) But there's ALWAYS a chance of rain, no matter the time of year. I walked in March last year it rained non stop, to the extent that it was completely flooded and impassable in places. From my own personal experience, I think from January to March are probably worst for winter weather, so I'd recommend waiting until April - no guarantee it won't rain, but at least it will be slightly warmer so that things can dry out and you won't freeze in a heating-free albergue.

 

[t2andreo]

I usually plan my starts for a week after the week immediately following Easter Sunday. This places the Easter break surge of pilgrims ahead of me.

It follows logically that places are open for this season-opening business and will be open when I get there. At least this has been my experience for my past six Caminos.

There is a customary slump after this Easter surge, until the end of May, when universities let out in Europe and elsewhere. Then, starting in June, the seasonal traffic builds...fast.

Hope this helps.

 

[Shah]

Hi guys. I'm planning a trip in march but I want to know how busy it will be as its my first time and I have no experience of travel there. Any advice on where to start and what to pack weather wise?

 

[Jan_D]

Hi guys. I'm planning a trip in march but I want to know how busy it will be as its my first time and I have no experience of travel there. Any advice on where to start and what to pack weather wise?

Hi Shah, I'm afraid you haven't given us a lot of information to go on. A trip where? And you say that you have "no experience of travel there," but your profile says you did a camino in 2018? Finally, it might be best to start a new thread, so as not to hijack the original poster's question.

 

[Shah]

Hi Shah, I'm afraid you haven't given us a lot of information to go on. A trip where? And you say that you have "no experience of travel there," but your profile says you did a camino in 2018? Finally, it might be best to start a new thread, so as not to hijack the original poster's question.

Lol so sorry. I actually planned it in 2018 but didn't go as my dear friend backed out. I'll make a new thread

 

[naplesdon]

I started early in May 2018 in Bilbao and walked as far as Santander and gave up due to the constant rain. I traveled south to Fromista and found better weather.

 

[trecile]

Lol so sorry. I actually planned it in 2018 but didn't go as my dear friend backed out. I'll make a new thread

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