Question on Weather & how open next week? Go now or later in April?

[MermaidRach]

I have been planning to return and rejoin the path from Leon next week. ( Main route)

I am wondering whether it might be better to wait until later in April to rejoin the path, my hope is to address a few things which mean I can listen loudly: so ideally, avoid the rain / wet feet, not be slammed among crowds and have cafes / albergues open. What do you think? I'd be curious to hear of experiences from March and April on that stretch previously.

Last year I walked Frances to Leon - a profound and deep experience

I have the following questions currently:

1 - How is the weather? I read something about very muddy paths and rain.
2 - What's open, are the cafes and albergues open? One of the things I love is getting that first 10km under the belt before a coffee and some food.
3 - How far do you think I can realistically walk in 7 days?
4 - How would I then get onto Santiago for a flight?
5 - I usually travel only with what I wear, I am assuming it's going to need some warm clothes, is this correct? Any essentials at this time of year? Sleeping bag? (Im a miserable cold person!)
6 - walking over Easter, is it recommended?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Tincatinker]

1 - How is the weather? I read something about very muddy paths and rain. https://www.aemet.es/en/eltiempo/prediccion/municipios/leon-id24089

2 - What's open, are the cafes and albergues open? One of the things I love is getting that first 10km under the belt before a coffee and some food. It's Semana Santa places will be opening up. https://www.gronze.com/camino-frances is a good source for accommodations.

3 - How far do you think I can realistically walk in 7 days? Only you can know that.
4 - How would I then get onto Santiago for a flight? Bus from Pedrafita do Cebreiro via Lugo

5 - I usually travel only with what I wear, I am assuming it's going to need some warm clothes, is this correct? Any essentials at this time of year? Sleeping bag? (Im a miserable cold person!) Unless you are staying in hotels a sleeping bag is essential IMO

6 - walking over Easter, is it recommended? Lots of people do, it's a very popular time to walk.

Happy planning

 

[CWBuff]

Good answers above.
Re:#3 - with all Respect Due how can we possibly know that?
I've met folks who had absolutely no problem doing 40-50 km\day while my comfort zone is about 20-25. So,yes, only you can know and since you are stating that you have walked Camino previously, well....
Good luck and Buen Camino

 

[davejsy]

I think, given the forecast, and if you have the option, then waiting until later in April would be a sensible option.
There is forecast snow down to 800 meters next week. Cruz de Ferro is 1600m and O Cebreiro is 1300m.

 

[gordon1]

Firstly I live on south west France and the weather is for the last few days has been excellent 22/26c,but there is a big drop over the next few days .It then starts to get better. I am going on a very short visit and I am looking at about the 10 April. This is for estella onwards.

 

[MARSKA]

Here is a report from AEMET - predictions for Easter week. Updated daily. It is in Spanish - you can copy/paste into google translate for an English version

 

[Tincatinker]

Here is a report from AEMET - predictions for Easter week. Updated daily. It is in Spanish - you can copy/paste into google translate for an English version

Or you can just use AEMET’s English language pages https://www.aemet.es/en/eltiempo

 

[BRSmith13]

I have been planning to return and rejoin the path from Leon next week. ( Main route)

I am wondering whether it might be better to wait until later in April to rejoin the path, my hope is to address a few things which mean I can listen loudly: so ideally, avoid the rain / wet feet, not be slammed among crowds and have cafes / albergues open. What do you think? I'd be curious to hear of experiences from March and April on that stretch previously.

Last year I walked Frances to Leon - a profound and deep experience

I have the following questions currently:

1 - How is the weather? I read something about very muddy paths and rain.
2 - What's open, are the cafes and albergues open? One of the things I love is getting that first 10km under the belt before a coffee and some food.
3 - How far do you think I can realistically walk in 7 days?
4 - How would I then get onto Santiago for a flight?
5 - I usually travel only with what I wear, I am assuming it's going to need some warm clothes, is this correct? Any essentials at this time of year? Sleeping bag? (Im a miserable cold person!)
6 - walking over Easter, is it recommended?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Isn’t next week Easter week? That seems like a crazy busy time

 

[trecile]

Isn’t next week Easter week? That seems like a crazy busy time

Semana Santa starts tomorrow (or today if you are in Europe).

 

[MermaidRach]

Firstly I live on south west France and the weather is for the last few days has been excellent 22/26c,but there is a big drop over the next few days .It then starts to get better. I am going on a very short visit and I am looking at about the 10 April. This is for estella onwards.

Such a nice route from Estella, Each time I have walked through there I have had quite profound spiritual visual experiences. In exactly the same place each time. Thanks for the tips, much appreciated.

 

[MermaidRach]

1 - How is the weather? I read something about very muddy paths and rain. https://www.aemet.es/en/eltiempo/prediccion/municipios/leon-id24089

2 - What's open, are the cafes and albergues open? One of the things I love is getting that first 10km under the belt before a coffee and some food. It's Semana Santa places will be opening up. https://www.gronze.com/camino-frances is a good source for accommodations.

3 - How far do you think I can realistically walk in 7 days? Only you can know that.
4 - How would I then get onto Santiago for a flight? Bus from Pedrafita do Cebreiro via Lugo

5 - I usually travel only with what I wear, I am assuming it's going to need some warm clothes, is this correct? Any essentials at this time of year? Sleeping bag? (Im a miserable cold person!) Unless you are staying in hotels a sleeping bag is essential IMO

6 - walking over Easter, is it recommended? Lots of people do, it's a very popular time to walk.

Happy planning

Thanks for replying first and all the tips and links, really appreciated.

 

[MermaidRach]

Good answers above.
Re:#3 - with all Respect Due how can we possibly know that?
I've met folks who had absolutely no problem doing 40-50 km\day while my comfort zone is about 20-25. So,yes, only you can know and since you are stating that you have walked Camino previously, well....
Good luck and Buen Camino

Thanks for the comments - and True. I would tend to do 20-30km / day.

 

[MermaidRach]

I think, given the forecast, and if you have the option, then waiting until later in April would be a sensible option.
There is forecast snow down to 800 meters next week. Cruz de Ferro is 1600m and O Cebreiro is 1300m.

SNOW is a NO! unless skiing! Thanks for this insight - helped me make a plan Much appreciated

 

[MermaidRach]

Here is a report from AEMET - predictions for Easter week. Updated daily. It is in Spanish - you can copy/paste into google translate for an English version

Thanks much appreciated

 

[MermaidRach]

Thanks all for really valuable and quick responses, I will push back by a few weeks. Snow is not my flavour

I generally like to walk and listen loudly, trust the places to stay will appear at the right time, rather than book in advance. I hear it gets really full in the last 100km, so am I right in assuming it's better to book? If so, from which point in Frances would you recommend to start booking?

 

[CWBuff]

Thanks for the comments - and True. I would tend to do 20-30km / day.

Then you realistically can walk 140-210km in 7 days