1st timer asks questions!

[Rasika]

Aloha from Hawaii!

I am going to walk the Camino Frances this September and it will be my first time. I have some questions, hope you can help me with them.

1. What is the weather going to be like in September? And maybe first two weeks of October?
2. What do you recommend wearing for this time of year?
3. Will I need a sleeping bag? Some say a liner is sufficient, but I run pretty cold. Your opinion?
4. Are there places along the Camino to buy hiking gear at all? Shoes especially.
5. Is the Camino vegetarian friendly?
6. Are there any places to swim along the Camino? Swimming pools or lakes/rivers?I'm thinking if I should bring a bathing suit.
7. Do I need to book the albergues in advance? I was planning on just walking and seeing if anything is available when I get there.

Thanks guys. Any other tips would be greatly appreciated as well.

 

[SYates]

Aloha @Rasika and welcome to the forum.

If you browse the forum a little bit and/or use the search box in the top right corner, you will find the answer, and plenty of different opinions, to your questions ;-)

Buen Camino, SY

 

[domigee]

Aloha from Hawaii!

I am going to walk the Camino Frances this September and it will be my first time. I have some questions, hope you can help me with them.

1. What is the weather going to be like in September? And maybe first two weeks of October?
2. What do you recommend wearing for this time of year?
3. Will I need a sleeping bag? Some say a liner is sufficient, but I run pretty cold. Your opinion?
4. Are there places along the Camino to buy hiking gear at all? Shoes especially.
5. Is the Camino vegetarian friendly?
6. Are there any places to swim along the Camino? Swimming pools or lakes/rivers?I'm thinking if I should bring a bathing suit.
7. Do I need to book the albergues in advance? I was planning on just walking and seeing if anything is available when I get there.

Thanks guys. Any other tips would be greatly appreciated as well.

Oh my goodness, so many difficult questions! Hi Rasika!

Weather: I can't help. Your guess is as good as mine!
Wearing: layers! So you can cope with heat/cold and rain.
Sleeping bag: I always take one but that's just me.
Buying hiking gear: yes there are places, if you're more specific we can tell you where. Buying shoes....I 'd advise you to buy them BEFORE starting and walking as many kms as you can with them....
Vegetarian: have a search on the forum, it's been discussed before.
Swimming: yes there are swimming pools so bring a swimsuit if you're keen. Otherwise, underwear and maybe a t-shirt to cover up (if needed) is ok....
I don't book in advance but again that's just my preference. (Apart from first night in Bayonne when I arrive late and also last night in SdC) but then I like to live dangerously
Hope it helps, more advice will come along no doubt

 

[nycwalking]

Relax. Spain is a first world nation with plenty of shops for all needs. If you run cold take sleeping bag.
Buen camino.

 

[scruffy1]

Welcome to the forum. The answer to your question concerning vegetarian food is complicated. The Spanish are a warm and welcoming people, their food can be very very good, their conceptions of what is or what is not vegetarian is...ah...improving. Not so long ago asking for a vegetarian menu was considered a hilarious joke . They have learned to control their pre-conceptions. Still, you will be assured that the vegtable soup you ordered IS vegetable soup only to find a few pieces of chorizo floating on the top. The soup was cooked with only vegetables not a meat stock so its vegetable despite the sausage. Vegans now are regarded with great sympathy, how does one expect to get to heaven or Santiago eating goat food? Ask the hospitilaire in the albergue, they should know, larger cities have excellent tourist information offices ask there. Be prepared to cook your own-remembering that whoever volunteered to wash the dishes from the night before perhaps, just maybe, might have consumed a bit too much wine at dinnertime. Give everything a very good scrub! Restaurante en Sarria Matías Locanda also an albergue has a lovely vegetarian and vegan menu offerings. There are many othere like them along the Camino. Buen Camino

 

[mspath]

Re vegetarian meals on the CF this earlier forum thread offers some helpful tips and sites.
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...gues-restaurants-on-the-camino-frances.16487/

Buen provecho and
Buen camino!

 

[CaminoDebrita]

1. What is the weather going to be like in September? And maybe first two weeks of October?

Hey, Rasika! It could be variable, but when I began walking 1 Oct 2015, it was stormy over the Pyrenees, rainy off and on the first week, then HOT. October was mostly beautiful, with bright blue skies and red and orange leaves.

2. What do you recommend wearing for this time of year?

Always pack light. I wore quick dry hiking pants, or tights. I had a pair of shorts with me. I carried a jacket and a rain poncho, as well as a warm fleece.

3. Will I need a sleeping bag? Some say a liner is sufficient, but I run pretty cold. Your opinion?

If you run cold, a sleeping bag, but a light one. Many albergues have blankets, and if I got cold, I slept in my clothes with my rain poncho over the top.

4. Are there places along the Camino to buy hiking gear at all? Shoes especially.

Yes, mostly in bigger towns and cities.

5. Is the Camino vegetarian friendly?

You can buy raw fruits and vegetables as well, but read Scruffy's post above.

6. Are there any places to swim along the Camino? Swimming pools or lakes/rivers?I'm thinking if I should bring a bathing suit.

How about a black jog bra and some black underwear just in case? or throw a suit in the bottom of your pack?

7. Do I need to book the albergues in advance? I was planning on just walking and seeing if anything is available when I get there.

I just walked. I never booked.

 

[Anniesantiago]

1. What is the weather going to be like in September? And maybe first two weeks of October?
Could be anything from HOT to COLD. Go prepared to layer.

2. What do you recommend wearing for this time of year? Layers. I usually start out with a fleece over a short sleeved shirt and peel it off after 5 minutes walking. If it''s cold I wear leggings under my Macabi skirt and peel them off too. Even if it's chilly, you'll be surprised how fast you warm up walking.

3. Will I need a sleeping bag? Some say a liner is sufficient, but I run pretty cold. Your opinion? I would not go in Sept/Oct without a sleeping bag. It can be cold in the higher elevations and not all albergues give out blankets. To begin with, you won't get a blanket in Roncesvalles and it can be quite cold there.

4. Are there places along the Camino to buy hiking gear at all? Shoes especially. Yes, in the larger cities like Pamplona, Burgos, Leon. Why? Do you think you'll need extra shoes?

5. Is the Camino vegetarian friendly? Within reason. Be aware, even vegetable soup is most likely made with meat stock. Do you eat fish? Otherwise you can do well cooking on your own. Lots of fresh veggies and fruits along the way.

6. Are there any places to swim along the Camino? Swimming pools or lakes/rivers?I'm thinking if I should bring a bathing suit. Personally, I wouldn't bother in Sept/Oct.

7. Do I need to book the albergues in advance? I was planning on just walking and seeing if anything is available when I get there.

It's up to you.If you aren't a person who will freak out if the albergue is full, and are willing to either walk or taxi to the next village, you should be fine. If you need scheduling then you should book.