All the pilgrims numbers from Santiago 1 January - 31 August 2014

[JohnnieWalker]

Hola

It is hot in Santiago and the Pilgrims’ Office has been very busy. During August alone over 51,000 Compostelas were issued. As Europe went on holiday for August and pilgrims from Spain and Italy headed for the Camino pilgrims from the USA slipped down the country league table...but still maintained an overall growth rate of 12%. Read the full analysis :

www.johnniewalker-santiago.blogspot.com

 

[Dennis D]

Thanks for doing this every month. I really enjoy looking at the statistics.

 

[fraluchi]

When taking a closer look at the pilgrim arrivals statistics for the period January-August 2014, there are a few significant variances in respect of previous years’ figures.
As reported by Johnniewalker, the increase of pilgrim arrivals in Santiago during this year’s first 8 months, compared to last year, is again a substantial +9% (nearly 15’000 pilgrims more than in 2013). The proportion of Spanish vs. foreign pilgrims is now 50-50 - Foreigners tend to outnumber "locals".

There is a changing growth in numbers of those who walked the various Caminos.
The Camino Francés (CF) walkers increased by “only” +6% when the Portugués registered +17%, the Primitivo +21%, the Inglés +58% and the Norte +6%. Only the VdlP pilgrims (very few numbers) decreased by -1%.

Pilgrims who walked the CF represented 67% of all Camino pilgrims (down from 69% in 2013). Those who walked the Portugués made up 15% of the total (14% in 2013), whereas previous years’ volume percentages of most other Caminos remained stable (Norte 6%, VdlP 4%, Primitivo 3%). The Inglés moved to 3% this year from 2% in 2013.

The number of people, who started the classic Camino from Sarria to Santiago, increased by 12% compared to last year. They represent 37% of all CF walkers compared to 35% in 2013 and 31% in 2012. This shows that the “highway” from Sarria to Santiago becomes increasingly “congested”.
Pilgrims who started the CF before Sarria increased by a mere 3% compared to last year and numbers recorded for May and July were inferior to those of the same months in 2013.

It’s interesting to note that there were less cyclists so far this year, compared to the same period in 2013: - 1’105 (-5%) and mainly less during the months of June and August. Walkers represent 88% of all arrivals in Santiago.
In the age groups there is a slight shift from the numbers of young (<30 yrs) walkers to those of > 60. The middle group (>30 <60) remains fairly constant.

Let’s wait and see what will happen during the months of September and October.

 

[sillydoll]

Adrian, I'm not sure if it is just my computer but your post text was so small I could hardly read it even with my glasses!

 

[Arn]

Come on Sil...squinting does wonders for focusing on the little print.

 

[JohnnieWalker]

This is what Adrian said and it is a fascinating analysis:

When taking a closer look at the pilgrim arrivals statistics for the periodJanuary-August 2014, there are a few significant variances in respect of previous years’ figures.
As reported by Johnniewalker, the increase of pilgrim arrivals in Santiago during this year’s first 8 months, compared to last year, is again a substantial +9% (nearly 15’000 pilgrims more than in 2013). The proportion of Spanish vs. foreign pilgrims is now 50-50 - Foreigners tend to outnumber "locals".

There is a changing growth in numbers of those who walked the various Caminos.
TheCamino Francés (CF) walkers increased by “only”+6% when the Portugués registered +17%, the Primitivo +21%, the Inglés +58% and the Norte +6%. Only the VdlP pilgrims (very few numbers) decreased by -1%.

Pilgrims who walked the CF represented 67% of all Camino pilgrims (down from 69% in 2013). Those who walked the Portugués made up 15% of the total (14% in 2013), whereas previous years’ volume percentages of most other Caminos remained stable (Norte 6%, VdlP 4%, Primitivo 3%). The Inglés moved to 3% this year from 2% in 2013.

The number of people, who started the classic Caminofrom Sarriato Santiago, increased by12%compared to last year. They represent37% of all CFwalkers compared to 35% in 2013 and 31% in 2012. This shows that the “highway” from Sarria to Santiago becomes increasingly “congested”.
Pilgrims who started theCF before Sarria increased by a mere 3% compared to last year and numbers recorded for May and July were inferior to those of the same months in 2013.

It’s interesting to note that there were less cyclists so far this year, compared to the same period in 2013: - 1’105 (-5%) and mainly less during the months of June and August. Walkers represent 88% of all arrivals in Santiago.
In the age groups there is a slight shift from the numbers of young (<30 yrs) walkers to those of > 60. The middle group (>30 <60) remains fairly constant.

Let’s wait and see what will happen during the months of September and October.

 

[Kanga]

JohnnieWalker thank you for bringing us the numbers and Adrian for analysing the data. I really appreciate your work - it's very interesting stuff when the statistics are collected and crunched this way.

 

[teda]

Hola

It is hot in Santiago and the Pilgrims’ Office has been very busy. During August alone over 51,000 Compostelas were issued. As Europe went on holiday for August and pilgrims from Spain and Italy headed for the Camino pilgrims from the USA slipped down the country league table...but still maintained an overall growth rate of 12%. Read the full analysis :

www.johnniewalker-santiago.blogspot.com

Thanks for the information...

 

[supersullivan]

Not good enough! Even though I've managed 2 caminos this year, the Irish numbers are down - nothing else for it but to win the National Lottery and up my caminos to 12 next year. oh and bring 20 or 30 friends with me each time.

 

[Allister]

Is there a big difference in how many start in St Jean to how many finish in Santiago ?

 

[jirit]

Does not matter which you cut it, the numbers suggest there are a lot of smelly socks in the making

 

[fraluchi]

Is there a big difference in how many start in St Jean to how many finish in Santiago ?

That' s an interesting question, and I doubt whether anybody can give a qualified answer. We know from the Pilgrims' Office in Santiago the number of pilgrims who declared having started in SJPP. But tying up these numbers with the statistical information of leavers in SJPP is guesswork. There are those who have split their Camino over various years (many French, German and Italian walkers do this) and are appearing in the Santiago numbers of this month/year when in fact they started in another month/year. Not counting the ones who dropped off half way to Santiago.

 

[KinkyOne]

Hola!

Maybe it's a bit off topic since there's a debate about numbers, but I'm still not sure what's the difference between:
- Religious or Spiritual
and
- Religious.
???

It is haunting me back from 2009 when I've had to tick that window for the first time in SJPdP pilgrim's office. I admit I kind of know what that is all about (and I definitely don't like it) but I'm still interested in hearing more or less formal definition from any of you.

Thanks in advance!

PS (Oh, I forgot to ask moderators to inform me in case of any negative points given to me or whichever they called them after almost six centuries )

 

[Deleted member 3000]

September is on track for over 34,000 compostelas, up from 30,896 in 2013 and 36.870 in the Holy Year 2010. That is over 100 more pilgrims daily, and accounts for the reports of a bed race!

 

[peregrina2000]

Hola!

Maybe it's a bit off topic since there's a debate about numbers, but I'm still not sure what's the difference between:
- Religious or Spiritual
and
- Religious.
???

It is haunting me back from 2009 when I've had to tick that window for the first time in SJPdP pilgrim's office. I admit I kind of know what that is all about (and I definitely don't like it) but I'm still interested in hearing more or less formal definition from any of you.

Thanks in advance!

PS (Oh, I forgot to ask moderators to inform me in case of any negative points given to me or whichever they called them after almost six centuries )

Well, I may not have the official, formal explanation, but this is how it was explained to me when I was a volunteer in the pilgrims office writing compostelas.

The compostela is a document that commemorates the devotion of the pilgrim who has arrived in Santiago. There´s a translation on this web page: http://www.pilgrimpathways.com/pilgrim_pathways.asp?IdSeccion=1&IdNoticia=26

The cathedral, in what I´m guessing was an ecumenical gesture, decided not to limit the compostela to those who profess the Catholic faith, or any other organized faith for that matter. They use the word "spiritual" to indicate their intent that the compostela be given to those who have done the Camino as something "more than" (for lack of a better word) a mere hike, a tour, a sporting event. Ultimately that´s a decision that only the pilgrim can make, and the workers in the pilgrims office will give you whatever you say you want. If you walked for spiritual or religious reasons, you will get the compostela. If you walked for touristic or sporting reasons, you will get an equally pretty document, also in Latin, congratulating you on your arrival into Santiago.

Just a little editorializing here -- it always struck me as odd why someone would want the compostela who wasn´t walking for religious or spiritual reasons, because it is, after all, a prayer. Especially now that the non-religious certificate is just as pretty. Just my two cents. Laurie

 

[psheehan]

Does anyone have a copy of the hike, tour, sporting event certificate, I'm just interested to see what it looks like.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

 

[psheehan]

Thanks, I like it!

 

[tyrrek]

I often wonder if so many people would walk a Camino if no paper were given. Something we will never know.

Me too. On the one hand you could argue that few people go to all the trouble, expense and often pain of a Camino for a piece of paper, but on the other hand you could point to the number of pilgrims starting in Sarria as evidence of its importance.

The existence of the Compostela and the minimum distance to earn one suggests that anything less than 100kms is not a 'valid' Camino, whether or not collecting the certificate is important to an individual. Without it, we might see more 'weekend Caminos', so the number of pilgrims arriving in Santiago could actually increase, especially in non-holiday periods. The distinction between a Camino (the walking) and a pilgrimage (visiting the tomb of the apostle) would become more blurred, of course.

 

[peregrina2000]

Does anyone have a copy of the hike, tour, sporting event certificate, I'm just interested to see what it looks like.

Actually, the one that falcon posted is the old one. The new one has lettering and illustrations similar to the new compostela -- multi-colored and with more like a medieval manuscript. Much fancier.

The new compostela and the new "sporting certificate" were both introduced in May at the same time as the new distance certificates.

 

[peregrina2000]

I hope this link works -- if it does, it will show you the new "sporting or touristic" alternative to the Compostela.

And here is a picture of the new compostela.

According to the article showing the picture of the new compostela, 93% of the first 100,000 pilgrims to arrive at the pilgrims office this year requested a compostela; only 6% requested the alternative.

 

[psheehan]

Hi Laurie,

Thanks for the links, they both worked perfectly... I was in Santiago 2 weeks ago after completing the Camino Ingles and received the new 'religioius and spiritual' compostela... It is interesting to see what the 'sporting or touristic' compostela looks like.

Thanks again,

Paul.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Yesterday was the fewest number of pilgrims (compostelas, actually) in September. The wave may have broken for arrivals, which means crowds lessened further back on the caminos a few days or weeks ago. It is all in the timing...

 

[Deleted member 3000]

The sum of the posted number each day is 34,458 compostelas for September. That is about a 10% increase over last year, and an average over 1,100 per day.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

La Peregrinación a Santiago en septiembre de 2014
Durante el mes de septiembre de 2014 en la Oficina de Peregrinaciones se recibieron 34.458 peregrinos; el anterior Año Santo en 2010 fueron 36.870.

Peregrinos por sexos
Hombre (52,16%)
Mujer (47,84%)

Peregrinos por medios
Pie (87,97%)
Bicicleta (11,09%)
Caballo (0,91%)
Silla de Ruedas (0,02%)

Edad de los peregrinos.
Menores de 30 años son 7.608 peregrinos (22,08%); de entre 30 y 60 son 19.421 (56,36%) y mayores de 60 años son 7.429 peregrinos (21,56%).

Motivación que expresan personalmente los peregrinos.
Religiosa 13.341 (38,72%)
Religiosa-cultural 18.694 (54,25%)
Sólo cultural 2.423 (7,03%).

Nacionalidades de los peregrinos.
Españoles: 14.741 (42,78%); el mayor número de peregrinos procede de las comunidades de Andalucía, con 2.862 (19,42%); Madrid, con 2.798 (18,98%); Cataluña, con 1.854 (12,58%); Comunidad Valenciana, con 1.437 (9,75%); Galicia, con 979 (6,64%); Castilla León, con 961 (6,52%); Castilla la Mancha, con 721 (4,89%); Pais Vasco, con 570 (3,87%); etc.

Extranjeros: 19.717 (57,22%); el país que mayor número de peregrinos aporta es Alemania, con 3.023 (15,33%); Italia, con 2.441 (12,38%); Estados Unidos, con 1.647 (8,35%); Portugal, con 1.482 (7,52%); Francia, con 1.445 (7,33%); Irlanda, con 1.045 (5,30%); Reino Unido, con 785 (3,98%); Brasil, con 759 (3,85%); etc.

Profesiones de los peregrinos.
A nivel profesional el grupo más numeroso es el formado por los Empleados con 8.956 (25,99%); Jubilados con 5.444 (15,80%); Estudiantes con 4.560 (13,23%); Tecnicos con 4.558 (13,23%); Liberales con 4.175 (12,12%); Funcionarios con 1.956 (5,68%); Profesores con 1.359 (3,94%); Parados con 783 (2,27%); Amas de Casa con 767 (2,23%); Directivos con 597 (1,73%); Obreros con 443 (1,29%); Artistas con 317 (0,92%); Sacerdotes con 221 (0,64%); Religiosas con 135 (0,39%); Agricultores con 132 (0,38%); Deportistas con 29 (0,08%); Marinos con 25 (0,07%); Oikoten con 1 (0,00%); etc.

Lugar de salida.
La mayor parte de los peregrinos llegados en este año 2014 ha iniciado su camino en Sarria con 8.849 (25,68%); S. Jean P. Port con 3.850 (11,17%); León con 1.931 (5,60%); Oporto con 1.911 (5,55%); Tui con 1.670 (4,85%); Cebreiro con 1.328 (3,85%); Ponferrada con 1.140 (3,31%); Roncesvalles con 1.064 (3,09%); Astorga con 919 (2,67%); Ferrol con 898 (2,61%); Oviedo - C.P. con 872 (2,53%); Valença do Minho con 697 (2,02%); Pamplona con 673 (1,95%); Burgos con 591 (1,72%); Le Puy con 585 (1,70%); Irún con 565 (1,64%); Vilafranca con 343 (1,00%); Francia - C.F. con 331 (0,96%); Lugo - C.P. con 317 (0,92%); Samos con 313 (0,91%); Ourense con 309 (0,90%); Resto C. León C.F. con 297 (0,86%); Triacastela con 252 (0,73%); Resto Portugal con 247 (0,72%); Ponte de Lima con 217 (0,63%); Sevilla con 214 (0,62%); Lisboa con 203 (0,59%); Resto Asturias - C.N con 191 (0,55%); Santander con 190 (0,55%); Ribadeo con 163 (0,47%); Bilbao con 153 (0,44%); Logroño con 128 (0,37%); Avilés con 107 (0,31%); Alemania con 105 (0,30%); Barcelos con 102 (0,30%); Gijón con 93 (0,27%); Vega de Valcarce con 90 (0,26%); Salamanca con 90 (0,26%); San Sebastián con 84 (0,24%); Somport con 78 (0,23%); Holanda con 74 (0,21%); Rates, S. Pedro con 68 (0,20%); Finisterra con 65 (0,19%); Sahagún con 65 (0,19%); Vilalba con 64 (0,19%); Braga con 63 (0,18%); Neda con 63 (0,18%); Oviedo - C.N. con 58 (0,17%); Madrid - C.F. con 58 (0,17%); Lourdes con 53 (0,15%); Fonsagrada - C.P. con 52 (0,15%); Resto Cantabria con 49 (0,14%); Resto Asturias - C.P. con 49 (0,14%); Resto País Vasco - C.N. con 48 (0,14%); Zamora con 47 (0,14%); Baamonde con 46 (0,13%); Porriño con 41 (0,12%); Bélgica con 40 (0,12%); Vigo con 38 (0,11%); Francia - C.N con 37 (0,11%); Arles con 35 (0,10%); Suiza con 34 (0,10%); Puebla de Sanabria con 34 (0,10%); Grandas de Salime - C.P. con 33 (0,10%); Viana do Castelo con 32 (0,09%); Muxia con 31 (0,09%); A Guarda con 31 (0,09%); Xunqueira de Ambia con 29 (0,08%); Carrión de los Condes con 29 (0,08%); Hendaya con 28 (0,08%); Frómista con 27 (0,08%); Resto Andalucia con 27 (0,08%); Jaca con 26 (0,08%); Sto. Domingo de la Calzada con 26 (0,08%); Cataluña - C.F. con 25 (0,07%); Gudiña con 24 (0,07%); Hospital de Orbigo con 24 (0,07%); Resto Europa con 24 (0,07%); Fatima con 24 (0,07%); Granja de Moreruela con 23 (0,07%); Coimbra con 22 (0,06%); Puente la Reina con 21 (0,06%); Zaragoza con 21 (0,06%); Chaves-Portugal con 20 (0,06%); Verín con 20 (0,06%); R.Pais Vasco C.F. con 20 (0,06%); Guimaraes con 19 (0,06%); Vezelay con 19 (0,06%); Abadin con 19 (0,06%); Madrid - V.P. con 18 (0,05%); Navarra con 17 (0,05%); Laza con 16 (0,05%); Mérida con 16 (0,05%); Cáceres con 15 (0,04%); Molinaseca con 15 (0,04%); Austria con 15 (0,04%); Valencia O.C. con 15 (0,04%); Montserrat con 15 (0,04%); Tineo - C.P. con 15 (0,04%); Com. Valenciana - O.C. con 14 (0,04%); Barcelona con 13 (0,04%); Rabanal del Camino con 12 (0,03%); Benavente con 12 (0,03%); Resto de Extremadura con 12 (0,03%); Lourenzá con 12 (0,03%); Cast. la Mancha - C.F. con 11 (0,03%); Roma con 11 (0,03%); Resto C. León - V.P. con 11 (0,03%); Cadavo con 11 (0,03%); Estella con 10 (0,03%); Castilla La Mancha VP con 10 (0,03%); Castilla la Mancha otros con 10 (0,03%); París con 9 (0,03%); Quiroga con 9 (0,03%); Nájera con 9 (0,03%); Polonia con 8 (0,02%); Ponferrada. C.Inv. con 8 (0,02%); Resto Galicia con 8 (0,02%); Viseu con 8 (0,02%); Italia con 8 (0,02%); Povoa de Varzim con 7 (0,02%); Mondoñedo con 7 (0,02%); Granada con 7 (0,02%); Grado con 7 (0,02%); Cataluña - O.C. con 5 (0,01%); Allariz con 5 (0,01%); Faro con 4 (0,01%); Cruz de Ferro con 4 (0,01%); Córdoba con 4 (0,01%); Huelva con 4 (0,01%); Reino Unido C.F. con 4 (0,01%); Canfranc con 4 (0,01%); Malaga con 3 (0,01%); Com. Valenciana - C.F. con 3 (0,01%); Baiona con 3 (0,01%); Badajoz con 3 (0,01%); San Juan de Ortega con 2 (0,01%); Salas con 2 (0,01%); Murcia con 2 (0,01%); Dinamarca con 2 (0,01%); Fonfría con 2 (0,01%); Viveiro con 2 (0,01%); Eslovaquia con 2 (0,01%); Castrojeriz con 2 (0,01%); Paradela con 1 (0,00%); XLa Rioja con 1 (0,00%); Irlanda C.F. con 1 (0,00%); Petín con 1 (0,00%); La Bañeza con 1 (0,00%); Luxemburgo con 1 (0,00%); Mella con 1 (0,00%); La Rioja con 1 (0,00%); Irlanda C. Ing con 1 (0,00%); A Rúa con 1 (0,00%); etc.

Camino seguido.
Los caminos que han seguido la mayoría de los peregrinos son Frances-Camino de con 23.669 (68,69%); Portugues-Camino con 5.407 (15,69%); Norte-Camino de con 1.918 (5,57%); Primitivo-Camino con 1.359 (3,94%); Via de la Plata con 975 (2,83%); Ingles-Camino con 962 (2,79%); Muxia-Finisterre con 96 (0,28%); Otros caminos con 72 (0,21%); etc.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Articles on the Camino are becoming much more regular in newspapers. Arrivals did not seem to make the news in years past, but they get attention these days.

DE 113 NACIONALIDADES
Más de 30.000 peregrinos en el Camino de Santiago este septiembre
Se observa una ligera bajada del Camino Francés, casi un 3%, mientras que en el resto de recorridos hay un aumento

Agencias 01/10/2014 13:55 h.

Hasta 34.458 peregrinos han llegado a Compostela el pasado septiembre, en total 3.562 más que el año anterior, tras recorrer, al menos, los últimos 100 kilómetros a pie o a caballo, o los últimos 200 si la ruta se hace en bicicleta.

Son los datos estadísticos que facilita la Catedral, y de ellos el templo indica que estas personas, -que han recibido la Compostela o el Certificado de Bienvenida tras cumplir los requisitos mínimos exigidos-, procedían de 113 nacionalidades diferentes, siendo el 57,22% extranjeros, un 4,3 por ciento más que el ejercicio pasado.

En cuanto a los recorridos elegidos, se observa una ligera bajada del Camino Francés, casi un 3%, mientras que en el resto hay un aumento, ocupando el último lugar el tramo Muxía-Finisterre y la opción de "otros", puesto que la llegada es válida desde cualquier punto.

En cuanto a las edades, en el segmento de entre 30 y 60 se han situado 19.421 caminantes; menores de 30, un cómputo de 7.608, y mayores de 60, han sido 7.429.

Las profesiones son de lo más variopintas, desde jubilados o estudiantes, en los primeros puestos, hasta funcionarios, parados, amas de casa, artistas, sacerdotes, agricultores, deportistas y, cerrando la lista, los marinos.

Por género, son 17.972 los hombres y 16.486 las mujeres, y en cuanto al medio seleccionado, domina la opción de a pie, seguida por bicicleta, caballo y silla de ruedas.

http://www.laregion.es/articulo/soc...santiago-septiembre/20141001135503495404.html

 

[fraluchi]

Articles on the Camino are becoming much more regular in newspapers. Arrivals did not seem to make the news in years past, but they get attention these days.
http://www.laregion.es/articulo/soc...santiago-septiembre/20141001135503495404.html

....and it would be helpful if conclusions were correct.
The pilgrim arrivals who walked the Camino Francès did NOT decline by a "slight 3%". In fact, they increased by 6.9% (23'669 this year, 22'137 last year)
The writer did not mention that the increase in numbers during september, compared to the same period in 2013, were mainly foreigners (+ 20,6%). The Spanish arrivals were basically stagnant (14'741 this year, 14'478 last year). This means that the economic impact of the Camino must have been interesting. What was not mentioned is, that the number of pilgrims who started in SJPP is constantly increasing by a solid 15%, which also must be having an interesting result on the Camino's economy.
And talking about who walks, bikes or does the Camino by other means: the "bikers" have steadily been declining (3'822 this year, 4'001 last year), probably to the delight of the walkers who run less risks to be run over.

 

[t2andreo]

YIKES!

The sum of the posted number each day is 34,458 compostelas for September. That is about a 10% increase over last year, and an average over 1,100 per day.

That is still more than 1,000 Compostelas per day, on average. One does wonder where this trend is headed...

 

[fraluchi]

YI[...] One does wonder where this trend is headed...

Where, indeed? The monthly numbers this year, from April until September, have been getting close to those which were recorded during the Holy Year in 2010. I would guess that 2014 will end with approx. 234'000 arrivals, against 272'000 of 2010; only 38'000 short (16%). A repeat in 2015 of this year's approx. 9% increase against 2013 will unlikely reach the volumes registered during 2010.
As soon as the October figures are published (20'000 arrivals guess) it will be possible to better picture trends along the various Caminos, the Francés in particular.

 

[t2andreo]

Where, indeed? The monthly numbers this year, from April until September, have been getting close to those which were recorded during the Holy Year in 2010. I would guess that 2014 will end with approx. 234'000 arrivals, against 272'000 of 2010; only 38'000 short (16%). A repeat in 2015 of this year's approx. 9% increase against 2013 will unlikely reach the volumes registered during 2010.
As soon as the October figures are published (20'000 arrivals guess) it will be possible to better picture trends along the various Caminos, the Francés in particular.

My concern is for the end point if the current rate of increase in non-Holy Years continues. I see us hitting 300,000 pilgrims annually within about five years.

Is anyone on the ground in Spain looking at: (a) the carrying capacity of the various Caminos (at least the major ones), or (b) streamlining the processes for issuing documentation at Santiago? Alternatively, and this being Spain, are the powers that be just content to shrug and let it unfold as it might? If the provincial authorities, working through the various "friends of..." groups could initiate discussion of how to handle even greater numbers in the coming years, it might help.

I mention this because the Spanish economy is still pretty much in free fall. The Camino provides a huge amount of income across northwest Spain. I presume, but do not know what percentage of the overall area income the Camino provides. But certainly, it is a large tranche of the tourism segment of the economy. It could not hurt for local governments to look for ways to support the growth in traffic in a logical, flexible and sustainable manner.

There are always several members of the forum who catch "Camino-fever" really bad and express a desire to open their own albergue. Of course, we know how local politics enters into such a project and especially how daunting it can be to open any business along the Camino, especially if the newcomer might be seen as competition. Perhaps the provinces might survey current availability in their jurisdictions and identify stretches of the Camino in their jurisdiction where new albergues or hostals would be welcomed, or at least not vehemently opposed. Just a forward-looking thought.

This past summer, I recall Johnnie Walker announcing that something like 2,400 Compostelas were issued in a single day. I worked as an Amigo this past June and I experienced several days of 1,300 - 1400 pilgrims daily. I can tell just how exhausting that was. Cranking out an additional 1,000 Compostelas almost beggars belief. But I believe Johnnie. While this likely included a fair number of groups being handled offline, the trends are looking ominous.

Just thinkin...

 

[Deleted member 3000]

This week averaged 1,000 per day, so it is still busy!

 

[fraluchi]

Cranking out Compostelas is a matter of organisation. There have been constant relocations and remodelling of the Oficina de los Peregrinos over the years, and future numbers can certainly be handled, if not in the same ways as today. As far as on the road facilities are concerned, these should be left to market forces. There will be changes, but not necessarily for worse.

 

[Cliff175]

Hola Johnny Walker, ( great name )
You have a good handle on the numbers, wondering if you could give me some advice.

I'm planning to walk the Camino Bayona to Burgos then to Santiago. I was thinking of leaving the end of august.
However after reading some of the post , making me think to leave the middle of September. I could leave the end of September too, . Could you give me your thoughts on the better time to leave to avoid the crowds.
Doesn't look like the Bayona Camino would be too busy, don't see it mentioned very often.
My concern is from B urges to Santiago. My wife is meeting me in Leon, it's her first time on the French Camino. So like to make it as enjoyable as possible. Getting up at o400 to get a bed in the next stop doesn't appeal to either of us.

I would appreciate your thoughts,
Respectfully
Cliff

 

[MichaelSG]

Cliff, I think Johnny is on holiday but in answer to your question: the later you leave in the fall, the fewer people you will encounter. Avoiding leaving certain cities (SJPdP, Pamplona, Burgos, Leon and, especially Sarria) on a weekend will also help keep you out of the bigger waves. Staying in places where the guidebooks end their recommended stages will also mean that you will be with larger groups so you may want to try to avoid those places if you really want to be out of crowds. Buen Camino!

 

[tyrrek]

Hola Johnny Walker, ( great name )
You have a good handle on the numbers, wondering if you could give me some advice.

I'm planning to walk the Camino Bayona to Burgos then to Santiago. I was thinking of leaving the end of august.
However after reading some of the post , making me think to leave the middle of September. I could leave the end of September too, . Could you give me your thoughts on the better time to leave to avoid the crowds.
Doesn't look like the Bayona Camino would be too busy, don't see it mentioned very often.
My concern is from B urges to Santiago. My wife is meeting me in Leon, it's her first time on the French Camino. So like to make it as enjoyable as possible. Getting up at o400 to get a bed in the next stop doesn't appeal to either of us.

I would appreciate your thoughts,
Respectfully
Cliff

Hi Cliff.

Michael is right - by delaying a bit it could be significantly quieter.

The number of pilgrims across the Camino Frances isn't as simple as the overall figures appear. Although pilgrim arrivals in Santiago peak in August and then decline through autumn, this pattern is only really true of the last part from Astorga and especially Sarria. The Camino before Astorga has a pattern of 3 peaks; spring, summer and autumn. The autumn wave is shorter than the others, but if you find yourself in that wave it will be significantly busier than perhaps a couple of weeks before or after.

These graphs show the patterns as I estimate them from last year's figures. Don't take them as gospel, but just as an indication of what the patterns are and approximately when/where they happen. Michael also mentions 'mini-waves' at weekends, which aren't shown in the graphs as I had no way of estimating their impact in different places with any accuracy.
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...e-the-busy-periods-on-the-camino-frances.114/

Buen Camino!

 

[Cliff175]

Hi Cliff.

Michael is right - by delaying a bit it could be significantly quieter.

The number of pilgrims across the Camino Frances isn't as simple as the overall figures appear. Although pilgrim arrivals in Santiago peak in August and then decline through autumn, this pattern is only really true of the last part from Astorga and especially Sarria. The Camino before Astorga has a pattern of 3 peaks; spring, summer and autumn. The autumn wave is shorter than the others, but if you find yourself in that wave it will be significantly busier than perhaps a couple of weeks before or after.

These graphs show the patterns as I estimate them from last year's figures. Don't take them as gospel, but just as an indication of what the patterns are and approximately when/where they happen. Michael also mentions 'mini-waves' at weekends, which aren't shown in the graphs as I had no way of estimating their impact in different places with any accuracy.
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...e-the-busy-periods-on-the-camino-frances.114/

Buen Camino!

q

Thank You for the advice. I think I'll begin around the 14, 15 of September 2015. Camino shouldn't be too busy,
Gracias
Cliff

 

[Cliff175]

Cliff, I think Johnny is on holiday but in answer to your question: the later you leave in the fall, the fewer people you will encounter. Avoiding leaving certain cities (SJPdP, Pamplona, Burgos, Leon and, especially Sarria) on a weekend will also help keep you out of the bigger waves. Staying in places where the guidebooks end their recommended stages will also mean that you will be with larger groups so you may want to try to avoid those places if you really want to be out of crowds. Buen Camino!

Thank You for the advice, I'm looking at September 14' or 15 . I'm thinking of doing the camino Bayona. To Burgos then to santiago. The Bayonna Camino doesn't seem to be too busy. By the time I arrive in Burgos I maybe behind the wave. I'm not really too concerned about the numbers, just can't see getting up at 0400 to secure a bed in another town. Half way thinking of bringing a superlite hammock. If I find I don't need it I'll leave it behind.
Thanks Again,
Gracias
Cliff

 

[whariwharangi]

Thank You for the advice, I'm looking at September 14' or 15 . I'm thinking of doing the camino Bayona. To Burgos then to santiago. The Bayonna Camino doesn't seem to be too busy. By the time I arrive in Burgos I maybe behind the wave. I'm not really too concerned about the numbers, just can't see getting up at 0400 to secure a bed in another town. Half way thinking of bringing a superlite hammock. If I find I don't need it I'll leave it behind.
Thanks Again,
Gracias
Cliff

I have this image of someone trying to string up a hammock on the Meseta ... using wind turbines as there is nothing else.

 

[Cliff175]

I have this image of someone trying to string up a hammock on the Meseta ... using wind turbines as there is nothing else.

HA , HA. ! Great Reply, Did I. Overlook the obvious ? I'll let you know how I make out !
Buen Camino
Cliff