A new pilgrim

[Creekdweller]

Hello, I am going to be walking my first Camino this spring and will spend two weeeks in Spain. I will take a relaxed walk from Sarria to Santiago. I will be almost 79 years old and walk five miles most mornings. I am curious about the weather ( cold and rain) and if it makes any difference whether I start my walk in the middlle of May or the first of June. As I have no experience, I was also wondering if the volume of pilgims is different for these two times and if it makes any significant difference in the quality of the walk?

Thank you for any information you can give

 

[jungleboy]

Wishing you a wonderful journey!

Regarding your dates and pilgrim volume, most years I would say mid-May would be less crowded than early June from Sarria, being a bit earlier in the season. The early May starters from SJPdP will hit Sarria around the 1st of June, whereas there usually aren't as many mid-April starters from there who would hit Sarria by mid-May. However, Easter next year falls on April 20, so there will likely be more starters then from SJPdP, who will arrive in Sarria around mid-May.

Tracking pilgrim numbers is a 'hobby' of a few others on the forum, so hopefully they chime in with more precise information.

¡Buen camino!

 

[Maurice Frank]

Buen Camino, and may you meet the pilgrims you who bring you joy and connection

 

[J Willhaus]

It will likely be wet and possibly still cool. We walked in midJune last year and I was cold in my silk liner bag at night and used my rain poncho as a blanket. I walked again in January this year and it was rainy and cool, but not what I would call cold. There were still flowers blooming even in January. It is a pretty stretch to walk.

Edit: In this part of Spain, expect rain.

 

[Creekdweller]

It will likely be wet and possibly still cool. We walked in midJune last year and I was cold in my silk liner bag at night and used my rain poncho as a blanket. I walked again in January this year and it was rainy and cool, but not what I would call cold. There were still flowers blooming even in January. It is a pretty stretch to walk.

Edit: In this part of Spain, expect rain.

So, if I hear you correctly, wait until the first part of June rather than the middloe of may. Do you have any advice about crowds in june rather than May?

 

[J Willhaus]

There will always be more people on this stretch than other stretches. It is the most popular 100 km. Many Spanish walk this stretch as family groups and sometimes with tours, but there are lots of services and places to stay in both the main "stage towns" and also lots of places in between. The biggest crowds on this stretch are in August when the Spanish have their vacations. I took about 8 days to walk with my husband last summer and again in January with a student group. We never had difficulty finding a place to stay although in the winter many restaurants and eateries were closed. I don't usually make reservations and often stay were reservations are not accepted.

It will be busy, but that is part of the Camino! You'll meet lots of people, but also have moments when you seem all by yourself.

Edit: I don't think it will be that much busier in early June than mid-May.

 

[Creekdweller]

There will always be more people on this stretch than other stretches. It is the most popular 100 km. Many Spanish walk this stretch as family groups and sometimes with tours, but there are lots of services and places to stay in both the main "stage towns" and also lots of places in between. The biggest crowds on this stretch are in August when the Spanish have their vacations. I took about 8 days to walk with my husband last summer and again in January with a student group. We never had difficulty finding a place to stay although in the winter many restaurants and eateries were closed. I don't usually make reservations and often stay were reservations are not accepted.

It will be busy, but that is part of the Camino! You'll meet lots of people, but also have moments when you seem all by yourself.

Edit: I don't think it will be that much busier in early June than mid-May.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply. What about the weather? Will it be improved by choosing June over may? Thanks again. Can't wait.

 

[J Willhaus]

No, it will possibly rain every day at least a little. My first Camino in mid-July it did not, but last year in June, I always had my poncho handy. It may not rain long, but it will likely rain. That is why this part of Spain is so green and beautiful.

Edit: In January it rained every day and a lot.

 

[Creekdweller]

Wishing you a wonderful journey!

Regarding your dates and pilgrim volume, most years I would say mid-May would be less crowded than early June from Sarria, being a bit earlier in the season. The early May starters from SJPdP will hit Sarria around the 1st of June, whereas there usually aren't as many mid-April starters from there who would hit Sarria by mid-May. However, Easter next year falls on April 20, so there will likely be more starters then from SJPdP, who will arrive in Sarria around mid-May.

Tracking pilgrim numbers is a 'hobby' of a few others on the forum, so hopefully they chime in with more precise information.

¡Buen camino!

Thank you so much. Do you think the weather will be significantly different mid May to 1st. of June?

Thanks again

 

[jungleboy]

Thank you so much. Do you think the weather will be significantly different mid May to 1st. of June?

The two dates are close enough together that weather shouldn't be much of a factor in your choice, in my opinion. Galicia can be a rainy place in any month of the year (that's why it's so green!). Hopefully you get lucky no matter which window you choose.

 

[Creekdweller]

Thank you so much for your kind reply. I appreciate it.