May or June?

[Carolina A-A]

My husband and I are planning our Camino Francés from SJPdP for May or June 2016. Any insights/advice regarding which of these two months is preferable? (I'm a university professor and, due to my summer teaching, we can start our Camino either May 1st or June 1st). Thanks in advance!

 

[Mark Lee]

If weather is a deciding factor, I walked the Camino last June and found the weather the entire way from SJPdP to SDC to be quite nice. Never cold and never hot with just maybe 2-3 rainy days.
If crowds are a factor, I did not see a lot of pilgrims until around O'Cebreiro and beyond. Before that it was far from crowded and on a couple of occasions I stayed in albergues that were almost empty.

 

[MTtoCamino]

The weather in May on my walk was 75-80 a couple days closer to 90 but I was only in Spain until 16 May I was done with the Camino Finnesterre on May 11. No rain. (Only rained at night) It was busy in Santiago but only 10-15 people on the walk to Finnesterre. Walking from France never a bed issue except Easter. I think from what Mark mentioned you have a very nice window to choose from.
Keith

 

[Carolina A-A]

Thanks, Mark and Keith, for your helpful comments. We're leaning towards June. Mil gracias!
Carolina

 

[Robo]

May. IMHO.

I'm 2 days from Santiago. The weather has been perfect. Only 1 day of rain. Some days quite hot.

I presume June will be hotter and more crowded.....

 

[Sheesh]

It looks like May this year has been glorious indeed, the same as the predominantly hot May I walked in 2009. However, in May 2013 it was a different story entirely with many rainy, cold, down-right bitter days. And windy, oh my goodness!

As for numbers of pilgrims, May is now a very popular month. As Falcon269 recently posted in the thread below, there were more compostellas issued this May than in the last Holy Year.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/may-2015-compostelas.34128/

 

[KiwiBrownz]

My husband and I are planning our Camino Francés from SJPdP for May or June 2016. Any insights/advice regarding which of these two months is preferable? (I'm a university professor and, due to my summer teaching, we can start our Camino either May 1st or June 1st). Thanks in advance!

My husband and I are also planning for 2016 May to start our Camino Frances, I will be interested in the replies and advice you are given.

 

[Carolina A-A]

May. IMHO.

I'm 2 days from Santiago. The weather has been perfect. Only 1 day of rain. Some days quite hot.

I presume June will be hotter and more crowded.....

Thanks for sharing your experience! I just spent some time in your beautiful blog. Learned a lot! Buen Camino, you're almost there!

 

[Carolina A-A]

It looks like May this year has been glorious indeed, the same as the predominantly hot May I walked in 2009. However, in May 2013 it was a different story entirely with many rainy, cold, down-right bitter days. And windy, oh my goodness!

As for numbers of pilgrims, May is now a very popular month. As Falcon269 recently posted in the thread below, there were more compostellas issued this May than in the last Holy Year.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/may-2015-compostelas.34128/

Maybe the popularity of the Camino is such that the number of pilgrims in May, June, September and October will swell noticeably. Thanks for your input, Sheesh!

 

[Mark Lee]

Maybe the popularity of the Camino is such that the number of pilgrims in May, June, September and October will swell noticeably. Thanks for your input, Sheesh!

Honestly, don't sweat the prospect of a larger numbers of pilgrims on the Camino. It's not that bad.

 

[waveprof]

If you leave in June, it COULD be quite hot by the meseta (depends on the year). If you leave in May, it COULD be quite cold early in your route (depends on the year). So pick your poison.

If it were me, I'd pick May (less but still plenty of people) and hope for an earlier spring. Take a warm jacket, and ship it ahead when you don;t need it anymore

 

[Carolina A-A]

If you leave in June, it COULD be quite hot by the meseta (depends on the year). If you leave in May, it COULD be quite cold early in your route (depends on the year). So pick your poison.

If it were me, I'd pick May (less but still plenty of people) and hope for an earlier spring. Take a warm jacket, and ship it ahead when you don;t need it anymore

Great summary of the decision, thanks!

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

My husband and I are also planning for 2016 May to start our Camino Frances, I will be interested in the replies and advice you are given.

Hello, I walked the Camino Frances from April the 18th till May the 24th. The weather was great, I had only 1 day of rain and a few times in the afternoon but I was not walking than. Conclusion is the weather in mid April thru May was very good this year. But it can be totally different next year. Wish you well and a Buen Camino, Peter.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

My husband and I are planning our Camino Francés from SJPdP for May or June 2016. Any insights/advice regarding which of these two months is preferable? (I'm a university professor and, due to my summer teaching, we can start our Camino either May 1st or June 1st). Thanks in advance!

Hi Carolina, I finished my last journey 2 weeks ago, I walked for 37 day's and had only 2 walking day's with rain. But that's no qaranty for good weather next year. Wish you happy planning and a Buen Camino for next year, Peter.

 

[Carolina A-A]

Hi Carolina, I finished my last journey 2 weeks ago, I walked for 37 day's and had only 2 walking day's with rain. But that's no qaranty for good weather next year. Wish you happy planning and a Buen Camino for next year, Peter.

Thanks for sharing your experience, Peter! I know that next year could be different, but it's still helpful to gather this information.
Carolina

 

[Urban Trekker]

I'm walking the way starting the first week of May. It's my understanding that the Pope has declared 2016 a holy year so I anticipate more pilgrams on all the Caminos. I think there will be more people starting in June than May because of weather concerns. Buen Camino

Happy Trails

 

[Bevey Ann]

My husband and I are planning our Camino Francés from SJPdP for May or June 2016. Any insights/advice regarding which of these two months is preferable? (I'm a university professor and, due to my summer teaching, we can start our Camino either May 1st or June 1st). Thanks in advance!

 

[Bevey Ann]

Started on 10th May this year came prepared for cold weather (thermal underwear hat gloves scarf etc) to be greeted by 30 degree heat. Walking over the Pyrenees in this heat was no easy feat. Met a woman on the track who started 10 days before me on 1st May in sleeting rain and blustery winds so there you go the Pyrenees are unpredictable you accept what it throws at you . I chose May because I do not like walking in the heat however whatever you get you meet the challenge.

 

[Robo]

I met lots of people who crossed on 1 may in bad weather.

I crossed 2 days before them in glorious sunshine..... go figure!

As has been said here before.

Pack for the climate. Dress for the weather.

I took a fleece and never used it.

Only wore my rain jacket two times I think. And maybe a couple of early mornings to keep the chill air off me.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I love April and May. Fewer pilgrims, better walking weather, and more wildflowers.

 

[Carolina A-A]

I'm very thankful for the experiences and insights you're sharing with me. I know that weather specifics are impossible to predict a year ahead. Still, reading you helps me immensely. Mil gracias!

 

[brenda ridgeway]

My husband and I are planning our Camino Francés from SJPdP for May or June 2016. Any insights/advice regarding which of these two months is preferable? (I'm a university professor and, due to my summer teaching, we can start our Camino either May 1st or June 1st). Thanks in advance!

Hi that's the months that I am going,so would like some insight , weather and how busy is the Camino,
Also to recommend the lightest sleeping bags
thanks Brenda

 

[liilii11]

Hi everyone, I am hoping to start my camino on may the 2nd. Maybe we will meet along the way.
Lama

 

[Robo]

Where will you be starting Lama?

 

[KiwiBrownz]

Hi everyone, I am hoping to start my camino on may the 2nd. Maybe we will meet along the way.
Lama

Hi Lama, we plan to start on 4th of May and depending on weather thought we would try SJPP to Valcarlos then to Burguete for our second day.
We fly in from New Zealand to Toulouse, stay a couple of nights and check out the Decathlon Stores then train and bus to SJPP. I have yet to find accommodation in St Jean Pied du Port but our airline tickets are purchased. Getting excited

 

[liilii11]

Where will you be starting Lama?

Hi, I will be starting in St-Jean Pied de Port.

 

[liilii11]

Hi Lama, we plan to start on 4th of May and depending on weather thought we would try SJPP to Valcarlos then to Burguete for our second day.
We fly in from New Zealand to Toulouse, stay a couple of nights and check out the Decathlon Stores then train and bus to SJPP. I have yet to find accommodation in St Jean Pied du Port but our airline tickets are purchased. Getting excited

Hi Kiwi,
I am very excited my self, I have been practicing in the summer distance walking with backpack and hiking poles. i have already requested for vacation time from my manager, but there is a but. i wont get an answer until Feb 1, of 2016. i have requested for more then 40 days off since I am a slow walker. I really want to do the Camino this year. I really think it is going to be such a wonderful year. Hope to see you on the Camino.
Lama

 

[KiwiBrownz]

Hello, I walked the Camino Frances from April the 18th till May the 24th. The weather was great, I had only 1 day of rain and a few times in the afternoon but I was not walking than. Conclusion is the weather in mid April thru May was very good this year. But it can be totally different next year. Wish you well and a Buen Camino, Peter.

Thank you Peter, airline tickets are booked and getting excited - trying not to sort through my pack every weekend I guess it is raincoat at the ready along with a small tube of sunscreen Being a Holy year it could be busier too, Sarah.

 

[Joodle]

Started on 10th May this year came prepared for cold weather (thermal underwear hat gloves scarf etc) to be greeted by 30 degree heat. Walking over the Pyrenees in this heat was no easy feat. Met a woman on the track who started 10 days before me on 1st May in sleeting rain and blustery winds so there you go the Pyrenees are unpredictable you accept what it throws at you . I chose May because I do not like walking in the heat however whatever you get you meet the challenge.

Did you bring a sleeping bag or liner? I just don't want to carry my down bag if it's going to be too hot.

 

[Joodle]

Hi Lama, we plan to start on 4th of May and depending on weather thought we would try SJPP to Valcarlos then to Burguete for our second day.
We fly in from New Zealand to Toulouse, stay a couple of nights and check out the Decathlon Stores then train and bus to SJPP. I have yet to find accommodation in St Jean Pied du Port but our airline tickets are purchased. Getting excited

I'll be on the way on May 12th.. Arrive May 11th and will Stay in Bayonne and take early train to SJPP and start out a little latter that day, As I have a bed booked at Orrisson. I may see you somewhere!