Porto to Santiago December 2021

[sue-sheila]

Hello pilgrims,
I would like to do the Porto to Santiago walk in December (a few days away):
1) anyone else out there walking in December?
2) Will the albergues be open?!
3) Thoughts on using bag-forwarding service vs carrying own load?
4) How cold does it get (morning vs evening)?!
5) Any other tips?
Thanks in advance!
Sue

 

[Former member 91017]

Bag forwarding services are closed now. I think they closed shop Nov. 1
I havent walked in a December but walked in an unusually cold and rainy November. Locals tod me it was more like December. You will need to go the central route as the coast will be pretty much closed for winter (cafes and such tend to be there for the fishing villages, but when the seas turn rough, that’s the end until spring). I found that many of my mornings were about 3-4C and that my days could get up to 12C or so…. But there were some over-nights in albergues without heat in which I took my water bottle filled with hot water to bed and thanked my good fortune that I had brought my down quilt.
I think you might have some reduced albergue capacity… although the annual tradition of closing up to go on holiday elsewhere seems rather unlikely just now… so maybe you will be lucky. @jungleboy … any other thoughts here?

 

[trecile]

Bag forwarding services are closed now. I think they closed shop Nov. 1

I thought that might be the case, so that's one decision made!

I've never walked in winter, but I'd say be prepared to not meet many other pilgrims on the way.

 

[Former member 91017]

I thought that might be the case, so that's one decision made!

I've never walked in winter, but I'd say be prepared to not meet many other pilgrims on the way.

Yes, even in November, I don’t think I stayed anywhere prior to Caldas de Reina with more than 3 people… and the next night, in Padron, it was only 2 of us. In Santiago… well, I think there had been only about 8 people before me in the office for the compostela and nobody after me for another few hours…
I met a really great pilgrim on the CP, and she remains a friend… but we didn’t walk together. We met up for lunches and evening meals, but walked solo during the day. Loved that…. There was no ”pressure” to be entertaining for hours on end, days on end…. But we could share adventure stories when we met up.

 

[Former member 99404]

I will be walking from Sarria starting on December 19! Buen camino.
Sheila

 

[pug205]

Hello pilgrims,
I would like to do the Porto to Santiago walk in December (a few days away):
1) anyone else out there walking in December?
2) Will the albergues be open?!
3) Thoughts on using bag-forwarding service vs carrying own load?
4) How cold does it get (morning vs evening)?!
5) Any other tips?
Thanks in advance!
Sue

Good to hear I'm not the only one wondering last minute
Might be leaving Porto on Dec 13.

 

[sue-sheila]

I will be walking from Sarria starting on December 19! Buen camino.
Sheila

Buen Camino to you as well. Let me know if you want to change your mind and walk from Porto instead. :-D