April Camino

[Crandall]

I originally planned to start my Camino the first of May 2020. I just don't know if I can wait that long. The only reason I was waiting was the weather. Can someone help me with a reasonable idea of what April weather might be? Better to wait till May? Any other reason to wait? Any reason April might be better? Thanks so much. I am so happy to be part of this community.

 

[SYates]

April has more chance of rain, May more chance for sun. So, the weather MIGHT be slightly better in May. But crowds, especially on the last 100/200km will be less in April. BC SY

 

[Susan Peacock]

I have started twice on April 14th. Both times (2016 and 2018) it was the first day the Napoleon route opened, but was subsequently closed again. In 2016 I used my poncho about 60% of the days. In 2018 I didn't pull it out once. In 2016, I walked in a blizzard to Cruz de Fero on May 12th. Weather is unpredictable and part of the experience, although I wouldn't go earlier than mid-April myself. It was very cold in sections; which I happen to find it easier to walk in the cold. My pack did weigh a lot more in the spring when I added rain gear, puffy jackets, light sleeping bag, gloves and a beanie. The spring is a very beautiful time of year and probably my favorite.

 

[Rick M]

I have started twice on April 14th. Both times (2016 and 2018) it was the first day the Napoleon route opened, but was subsequently closed again. In 2016 I used my poncho about 60% of the days. In 2018 I didn't pull it out once. In 2016, I walked in a blizzard to Cruz de Fero on May 12th. Weather is unpredictable and part of the experience, although I wouldn't go earlier than mid-April myself. It was very cold in sections; which I happen to find it easier to walk in the cold. My pack did weigh a lot more in the spring when I added rain gear, puffy jackets, light sleeping bag, gloves and a beanie. The spring is a very beautiful time of year and probably my favorite.

I was a few days ahead of Susan in both 2016 and 2018. All I can say is.....Yup. 2016 was cool and rainy for the most part. The first few days of 2018 were apocalyptic complete with flooded rivers and washed out trails, but then the sun came out and stayed out for the rest of the journey. One April of wet shoes, frost, and rain gear, and another in shorts and T-shirts.

You can't predict weather, you get what you get. Most inconvenient. Ignore this aspect, and go when you are ready. Its a mental and spiritual journey, not a beach holiday. I can't say which Camino I walked was "better", even though 2018 was a lot warmer and dryer.

Buen Camino

 

[scruffy1]

May 1 is a national holiday in both France and Spain - next year falling on a Friday meaning a looong weekend of festivities, not a good day to try and get somewhere unless you are already walking the Camino. April is my favorite for walking the Camino - fields of dried out sticks transform magically into vineyards framed by rose bushes, ankle-high grain fields flourish and grow high reflecting your shadow as you go, chilly mornings good for walking and never really hot in the afternoons, abundant wildflowers (hillsides of blue lobelia and the protected primavera hiding by the wayside) and village gardens, Semana Santa and Easter come early next year, April 5-12, a wonderful time to be on the Camino if somewhat crowded, after the holiday the numbers thin out. Can't remember just when, end of April/beginning of May is the Galicia Culture Festival in SdC lots of traditional songs, clothing, orchestra performing in the streets, crowded but fun. Buen Camino

 

[c0484]

I originally planned to start my Camino the first of May 2020. I just don't know if I can wait that long. The only reason I was waiting was the weather. Can someone help me with a reasonable idea of what April weather might be? Better to wait till May? Any other reason to wait? Any reason April might be better? Thanks so much. I am so happy to be part of this community.

I have walked the Camino in April & May repeatedly. I have had as few as 3 days of rain and as much as 2 weeks straight of rain. It will be what it will be.

 

[jpflavin1]

I originally planned to start my Camino the first of May 2020. I just don't know if I can wait that long. The only reason I was waiting was the weather. Can someone help me with a reasonable idea of what April weather might be? Better to wait till May? Any other reason to wait? Any reason April might be better? Thanks so much. I am so happy to be part of this community.

Crandall:

I have started all my Camino's between March 23rd and April 11th. Spring in my opinion is a great time to walk but honestly my decision to walk then is based more on the convenience of that time of year.

Weather, imo, should not be the determining factor in deciding when to walk. It is just to unpredictable. My first two Camino's I walked the Napoleon route on March 23rd, no snow. Now you can not even consider this route prior to April 1st. That said, the ValCarlos route is better, imo. A much more gradual start, the break ValCarlos is a town with all the amenities and you still walk over the mountain.

The weather will vary from cold mornings in the mountains to very warm days on the Meseta. So come prepared. Rain gear is a must. That said, I have walked weeks w/o wearing it. It also serves as a nice wind break in the mornings.

Therefore, I do not think you decision should be based on what the weather might be but on what is the most convenient time for you. If you are prepared the weather should not be a factor and it is not predictable.

Ultreya,
Joe

PS: Easter week can be quite hectic but also very interesting. It Falls on April 12th this year.

 

[Deleted member 59555]

I originally planned to start my Camino the first of May 2020. I just don't know if I can wait that long. The only reason I was waiting was the weather. Can someone help me with a reasonable idea of what April weather might be? Better to wait till May? Any other reason to wait? Any reason April might be better? Thanks so much. I am so happy to be part of this community.

April ( RUBBISH) I have done April last year and April this year and got caught with a lot of rain both times I would definable go for may start. By May the weather was a lot better. Good luck God bless. Start in April you'll need both of those wishes. PS I can hear all of you thinking, so why did you do April twice? Dont ask!.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Crandall:

I have started all my Camino's between March 23rd and April 11th. Spring in my opinion is a great time to walk but honestly my decision to walk then is based more on the convenience of that time of year.

Weather, imo, should not be the determining factor in deciding when to walk. It is just to unpredictable. My first two Camino's I walked the Napoleon route on March 23rd, no snow. Now you can not even consider this route prior to April 1st. That said, the ValCarlos route is better, imo. A much more gradual start, the break ValCarlos is a town with all the amenities and you still walk over the mountain.

The weather will vary from cold mornings in the mountains to very warm days on the Meseta. So come prepared. Rain gear is a must. That said, I have walked weeks w/o wearing it. It also serves as a nice wind break in the mornings.

Therefore, I do not think you decision should be based on what the weather might be but on what is the most convenient time for you. If you are prepared the weather should not be a factor and it is not predictable.

Ultreya,
Joe

PS: Easter week can be quite hectic but also very interesting. It Falls on April 12th this year.

Well said, Joe...and as a highlight I really enjoyed our meet up today!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

April ( RUBBISH) I have done April last year and April this year and got caught with a lot of rain both times I would definable go for may start. By May the weather was a lot better. Good luck God bless. Start in April you'll need both of those wishes. PS I can hear all of you thinking, so why did you do April twice? Dont ask!.

I have started mid-April on my five various caminos and have always had very minimal rain. I love the spring and leave on April 19th this coming year...it's my birthday!
That said, I never leave home without rain gear..."just in case"!

 

[Dani7]

My first ever Camino starts on April 5th 2020. It never dawned on me that I was starting my walk in Palm Sunday. I was too busy working out the duration with the time off I have. So I booked albergues ahead up to Pamplona. Should I book up to and including Easter Sunday on April 12th? I am geared up for all the above mentioned weather.

 

[Crandall]

Just booked a flight for April 15th 2020 into Paris. Yay! Probably start the 17th or so. I will not be on a schedule so I will be able to adjust for any variables. Thanks for all the help!

 

[VNwalking]

What Chris said:

I have started mid-April on my five various caminos and have always had very minimal rain. I love the spring

This is my experience, too, multiple times. April is a wonderful month to walk - everything is blooming and the trees are coming into leaf. Sure, it can rain. But it can rain in May, too. Torrentially. So it's a gamble that's not worth trying to fix. You can't.

 

[trecile]

I originally planned to start my Camino the first of May 2020. I just don't know if I can wait that long.

The sooner you start the sooner it will be all over.
I would wait, because I would want to delay the inevitable end as long as possible.

 

[Sri]

I plan to do my first camino France in April 2020, haven't decided whether to start early or mid April. Hope to see you then.

 

[Richard Smith]

Crandall said,
>>Just booked a flight ..... will not be on a schedule so I will be able to adjust for any variables.
This is the best way to go! They say the Camino starts when you leave your own door but in the modern world perhaps it starts when you commit to the air ticket.

 

[andyhp]

My first ever Camino starts on April 5th 2020. It never dawned on me that I was starting my walk in Palm Sunday. I was too busy working out the duration with the time off I have. So I booked albergues ahead up to Pamplona. Should I book up to and including Easter Sunday on April 12th? I am geared up for all the above mentioned weather.

We are starting our first Camino in April - Arrive SJPDP on the 4th and the journey starts 6th April - fingers crossed for many dry days....

 

[Romalban]

I originally planned to start my Camino the first of May 2020. I just don't know if I can wait that long. The only reason I was waiting was the weather. Can someone help me with a reasonable idea of what April weather might be? Better to wait till May? Any other reason to wait? Any reason April might be better? Thanks so much. I am so happy to be part of this community.

We are starting our walk Lisboa to Santiago on 14/04/2020. What ever the weather brings our way we will deal with.

 

[steve392]

Myself and a friend start walking our second Camino on 19th March. To hell with the weather is our atitude, what will be will be. Just go well prepared and enjoy it.