Primitivo in late October / early November?

[Peligro]

I'm finally planning my makeup Camino from my lost May 2020 Primitivo. I've searched the Forum for all threads on the Primitivo in November but I'm posting to see if anybody has any advice not yet shared on here. The earliest I can start walking is October 26. I plan on starting in Amandi - two days before Oviedo. I really want to walk the Primitivo, but I could pick another route for this year and save the Primitivo for a more suitable season next year. I've crossed the Meseta in August and O'Cebreiro in January so I'm familiar with uncomfortable weather on the Camino. I would prefer not being totally alone though - so long as there are at least a few other pilgrims I'll be happy. Any thoughts?

 

[Pilgrim_95]

Just check the videos by Sarah on YouTube. She did primitivo in November 2019.

 

[Peligro]

I think Sara’s experience was atypical. If every November were like 2019 it would be miserable. Apparently November 2017 was really nice.

 

[Tincatinker]

Hmm, looking at the stats Sarah had a pretty average November. Just take your rain gear


Oviedo - Average precipitation

Month	Millimeters	Inches	Days
January	85	3.3	11
February	85	3.3	11
March	60	2.4	11
April	105	4.1	13
May	85	3.3	13
June	60	2.4	9
July	45	1.8	8
August	60	2.4	8
September	70	2.8	8
October	105	4.1	12
November	120	4.7	13
December	105	4.1	12
Year	1005	39.6	128

 

[Peligro]

maybe I’ve misunderstood Sara’s posts but it seems like it rained hard all day every day she was on the Primitivo. The stats seem to say on average it rains less than one centimeter 13 days out of the month which is rainy but not monsoon weather. Sara if you see this please weigh in - I’m assuming what you researched and expected and what you got were fairly different?

 

[Tincatinker]

7-10 days on the Primitivo - rains every day. Sounds about average to me.

 

[Peligro]

So if you had fifteen days you could walk starting on October 26 (plus three days to get on and off one of the caminos from the US) would you do the Primitivo, another Camino, or just stay home? I don’t get much choice on when I can go which explains how I ended up walking from León to Sarria in January 2019 and from Logroño to Burgos in January 2018 - both of which I loved!

 

[Pilgrim_95]

The thing is, that once you reach Galicia the weather is unpredictable for most parts of the year (maybe except summer). The other variable is where you walk in terms of height. On Primitivo, you have the Hospitales stage in the mountains. Some higher parts are also on Frances.

It is hard to say what the weather is gonna be like, but it can rain most of the days, maybe some snow in the higher points

If you want nice weather and you don't need to end up in Santiago, there are some caminos that start in Andalucia (Via de la Plata)

 

[LTfit]

I just finished the San Salvador and Primitivo and was extremely lucky to have fantastic weather throughout up until the day I arrived in Santiago two days ago.

While walking I often thought to myself, these Caminos would be awful in the rain! There are continuous inclines and declines, many narrow stony paths. I personally would not take the chance that late in the season. On October 31st 2018 I even had snow in Atapuerca!

That late in the season I would do a Camino starting in the south.

 

[John Hawke]

I'm undeterred and will begin on Oct 1st. I was forced off in early March of 20 by the covid. At 77 I won't be denied. There's always rain and sometimes a lot of rain.

 

[Caminogoat]

I'm finally planning my makeup Camino from my lost May 2020 Primitivo. I've searched the Forum for all threads on the Primitivo in November but I'm posting to see if anybody has any advice not yet shared on here. The earliest I can start walking is October 26. I plan on starting in Amandi - two days before Oviedo. I really want to walk the Primitivo, but I could pick another route for this year and save the Primitivo for a more suitable season next year. I've crossed the Meseta in August and O'Cebreiro in January so I'm familiar with uncomfortable weather on the Camino. I would prefer not being totally alone though - so long as there are at least a few other pilgrims I'll be happy. Any thoughts?

After changing tickets twice, I will be walking the Norte, hopefully, from 10/11 to 11/15. I walk about 20 to 25 mils, but I am a very slow walker. This time, I am not setting out to complete the routes, I just want to walk when I want and stay where I enjoy staying.

 

[Peligro]

I just finished the San Salvador and Primitivo and was extremely lucky to have fantastic weather throughout up until the day I arrived in Santiago two days ago.

While walking I often thought to myself, these Caminos would be awful in the rain! There are continuous inclines and declines, many narrow stony paths. I personally would not take the chance that late in the season. On October 31st 2018 I even had snow in Atapuerca!

That late in the season I would do a Camino starting in the south.

I got snow in Atapuerca in 2018 also! Mine was January though so to be expected. Thanks for all the posts on your Salvador/Primitivo!

 

[Peligro]

I'm undeterred and will begin on Oct 1st. I was forced off in early March of 20 by the covid. At 77 I won't be denied. There's always rain and sometimes a lot of rain.

May 2020 was the first time I had picked exactly when I wanted to walk and it didn’t happen. All the other times have been when I could walk. I’ve been wet a lot - the best feature an albergue can have beside a communal dinner is a dryer.

 

[lt56ny]

It is November. It is mountainous. The climate is changing. Who knows what will be from one year to the next these days. Pack some rain gear, and don't worry about it and take your first step and you are off. I know a worse what if than what if it rains alot or what if I get some snow. What if I don't go. One less Camino you will not have a chance to do. That sounds a whole lot worse to me than some rain or snow. I walk in November and December and have faced all of those what ifs. I would take that rain, snow, high wind and my bronchial spasms on my last camino over staying home any day of the week.

 

[JerryStroebele]

If you walk the Primitivo that late in the year bring the best raingear and boots you can find. And the ability to navigate in the clouds/fog. I started the Primitivo September 16, 2018 and the weather for the whole Camino was perfecto. The scenery outstanding. Much of the trail -- very steep, but, thankfully, not muddy and slippery. I started in Llanes on October 17, 2019 to complete my second del Norte. There was 8 - 10" of rainwater in the streets and the weather just got worse the entire way to Santiago, where I arrived November 4. Lots of high wind with the torrential downpours. Lots of muddy, slippery trail, some under water. As is usual, I also arrived with wonderful new friends, true amigos del Camino. I have lived in Alaska the last 45 years and am used to extreme weather. Nevertheless, I will be starting the Via de la Plata in Seville on September 16 and carrying a parasol and lots of water. I would rather be starting later in Seville -- October 26 sounds better to me, but I am locked in to the return flight schedule of the airline I booked for a "lost Camino" in 2020.

 

[Peligro]

That late in the season I would do a Camino starting in the south.

Sevilla is easy enough to get to. Looking at the VDLP on Gronze there are 9 stages to Mérida and 19 to Salamanca. Some of those stages seem pretty short though. It seems like it could get lonely out there and perhaps the availability of albergues between stages is limited?
What about the Portugués central route that time of year? It seems like there are lots and lots of little towns. And there is a direct flight from Newark to Porto. I’m sure there will be rain, but perhaps not a treacherous as the Primitivo?

 

[JerryStroebele]

Agree, the weather should be more benign in Portugal that late in the year. The Portuguese are super friendly and most speak English. But start in Porto. Not many albergues or pilgrims north of Lisbon.

 

[AlainC]

I think Sara’s experience was atypical. If every November were like 2019 it would be miserable. Apparently November 2017 was really nice.

I did the Primitivo at the end of September/beginning of October 2017. The weather was nice, cool mornings and warm afternoon in the 20ºC. It was not very wet with only a couple days of rain. My concern in November would be the availability of albergues. Otherwise, it is a very enjoyable Camino until you join up with the Frances.

 

[Peligro]

Otherwise, it is a very enjoyable Camino until you join up with the Frances.

That’s gotta be quite the culture shock at that point in the Frances.

 

[calmeg]

That’s gotta be quite the culture shock at that point in the Frances.

That was our culture shock.. Primitivo with 12 people we saw regularly- green variant to Monje los sobrados, 30 people, joined frances at Santa Irene for 1 day- 30 people/hour.

 

[LTfit]

That’s gotta be quite the culture shock at that point in the Frances.

Joining the Francés has never bothered me, it's actually nice after not seeing anyone for days as has been my case on numerous occasions. This year is of course an exception but it really was not busy when I joined the Francés in Melide after completing the San Salvador and Primitivo a few days ago.

 

[LTfit]

Sevilla is easy enough to get to. Looking at the VDLP on Gronze there are 9 stages to Mérida and 19 to Salamanca. Some of those stages seem pretty short though. It seems like it could get lonely out there and perhaps the availability of albergues between stages is limited?
What about the Portugués central route that time of year? It seems like there are lots and lots of little towns. And there is a direct flight from Newark to Porto. I’m sure there will be rain, but perhaps not a treacherous as the Primitivo?

I walked the Mozárabe from Granada to Mérida late September/October one year and didn't have a drop of rain. Great weather actually. Still had shorts and a t-shirt on. I didn't see anyone until Mérida but that's another issue. The Vía de la Plata has more traffic than the Mozárabe but much less than the other Caminos you are mentioned (Portuguese for example). I never had a problem finding accommodations when I walked Sevilla to Salamanca in February so I would guess you wouldn't in October.

 

[Kanga]

I walked the Primitivo starting from Oviedo on 18 April, and had lots of rain, and mud, and snow, and sleet, and wind. It is a beautiful walk but I think it was too early in the season and one day in particular I remember as being absolutely brutal. It was pretty scary. I imagine that late in the season could be similar.

 

[LTfit]

I walked the Primitivo starting from Oviedo on 18 April, and had lots of rain, and mud, and snow, and sleet, and wind. It is a beautiful walk but I think it was too early in the season and one day in particular I remember as being absolutely brutal. It was pretty scary. I imagine that late in the season could be similar.

You should be given a metal! As I mentioned above it would be very difficult in bad weather but I also realize that it's sometimes the luck of the straw. I just hit it right

 

[Peligro]

Thanks to all of you guys, I talked it over at work and with my wife and I was able to bargain my way into 15 full days walking plus travel days starting in Villaviciosa in early September!!!!! Plus, I’m flying on miles straight into Oviedo and straight out of Santiago! This is the exact trip I had planned for May 2020. I’ll take the bus from Oviedo to Villaviciosa and only have to walk 2.4 km on no sleep to Albergue La Ferrería de Amandí for a communal pilgrim dinner the first night. 15 days should give me plenty of flexibility. Thanks everybody! (Can you tell I’m excited?)