Advice please for camino late March

[Cm3]

Hi all

I have around 10 days walking time (return flights 28/3 to 11/4 into and out of SDC) and was thinking of walking from Ponferrada into SDC. I'm fairly fit but no real training. Does this sound too ambitious? I'm a little concerned about albergues being closed and snow on the mountains... Can anyone reassure me / should I choose a different route?

Thanks

 

[SYates]

Sounds fine to me and with Easter around that corner albergues will be open - Buen Camino! SY

 

[crusader9872]

Hi
Last June did Leon to Santiago in 12 days, had a few long ones but nothing to strenuous. Ponferada to Santiago took 8 days of that so you should be fine with 10 days to do it. The climb to O Cebreiro will be the toughest but if you are as you say reasonably fit it should not pose you to many problems. Was the most amazing experience of my life so go and enjoy and soak up all that the Camino has to offer.

 

[Felipe]

200 km (around) in ten days allows a leisurely pace. My unscientific review says that most walkers do around 4 km/h in regular terrain; consider also that the latest accepted departing hour in albergues is 8 AM. And remember, many stages end in little villages, where there is nothing to do apart from doing the laundry, talking and seeing the landscape.
Weather is quite unpredictable, and this year has been tough, but in late March you can expect rain (especially in Galicia), wind, mud, and (hopefully) some sunny days.

 

[t2andreo]

Two points:

1. The rain in Spain falls mainly....on Galicia...and
2. You can encounter snow at elevations above about 250 meters through mid-May, so plan on at least that.

In mid-May 2013, we had fairly heavy, wet snow from Foncebaddon, past Cruz de Ferro and into Molinesca, before it turned to rain. Last year, in mid-May, I had a white out at O'Cebreiro. It was a squall passing through but to be safe, you had to wait until the worst of it passed and visibility improved enough so you could see the yellow arrows.

Just bring a microfiber cap and gloves, as well as appropriate layers, and you should be fine.

I hope this helps.

 

[Felipe]

As stated above, as regards the weather, the most difficult place is O Cebreiro (1300 m)
Well, you can check up the conditions by yourself here, live.
This webcam is placed on the roof of the albergue. Currently, it seems fair and sunny.
If only I could be there, right now...

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

Hi all

I have around 10 days walking time (return flights 28/3 to 11/4 into and out of SDC) and was thinking of walking from Ponferrada into SDC. I'm fairly fit but no real training. Does this sound too ambitious? I'm a little concerned about albergues being closed and snow on the mountains... Can anyone reassure me / should I choose a different route?

Thanks

you'll be fine. albergues will be kicking off the season and snow is unlikely early april.

 

[Cm3]

Great, thank you all so much for the advice. 2 weeks to go!