April 1st starting in SJPdP - How many people?

[Kari204]

Due to coming across some cheap airfare in March, I was thinking of walking the Camino starting in SJPdP on April 1. (My first camino in 2018 was late April) But curious how many people (approximately) head out of SJPdP on the actual 1st day of April.
I know this varies year to year but can someone give me a ball park figure for April 1st? 3-10-30-50.....100s lol. I looked at the calendar here for April and its only showing 1 person on a different route (Norte) on the 1st.
I guess I'm a little nervous there will only be me and 2 or 3 others (if any) that early, in which case I'd feel safer waiting to end of April when more people will be heading out. Id prefer for safety to be in more of a small bubble knowing help is near by should I need it either in front or behind me but still within ear shot.
Any insight about a April 1 start would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance!

 

[Bradypus]

You might find that in 2023 the numbers starting around 1 April are higher than in most other years. Easter next year falls on 9 April and walking the Camino during Holy Week is a popular thing to do. It's a fascinating time to be in Spanish towns and watching the events like the Nazareno processions.

 

[trecile]

This graph might be helpful. It shows the numbers starting from SJPdP by week in 2017.
The first week of April was week 14. As you can see, there were almost as many pilgrims starting the first week of April as the middle of July (week 29)

 

[Rick M]

Let me give you a specific SWAG, mark me down for 83 pilgrims starting that day. No chance whatsoever that you will be alone.

 

[RJM]

Honestly that's an impossible question to answer.
I would say don't be concerned about how many pilgrims may or may not be on the Frances then. Just go walk it.

 

[Kathar1na]

What @Bradypus said: The 1st of April is the Saturday before the Easter week in 2023. Weekends are always more popular as a starting point in SJPP than other weekdays and this weekend will be particularly popular in 2023: there will be plenty of people from European countries starting from SJPP on that day because depending on where they live, Good Friday and/or Easter Monday and/or even Maunday Thursday are public holidays which makes the Easter week an attractive week for taking time off work.

 

[cardifflad52]

Due to coming across some cheap airfare in March, I was thinking of walking the Camino starting in SJPdP on April 1. (My first camino in 2018 was late April) But curious how many people (approximately) head out of SJPdP on the actual 1st day of April.
I know this varies year to year but can someone give me a ball park figure for April 1st? 3-10-30-50.....100s lol. I looked at the calendar here for April and its only showing 1 person on a different route (Norte) on the 1st.
I guess I'm a little nervous there will only be me and 2 or 3 others (if any) that early, in which case I'd feel safer waiting to end of April when more people will be heading out. Id prefer for safety to be in more of a small bubble knowing help is near by should I need it either in front or behind me but still within ear shot.
Any insight about a April 1 start would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance!

I went in the last week of March this year and to be honest I hardly saw anyone , although SJPDP is a small place there is enough places to stay .. it was only on the 2nd day that I noticed a trickle then the numbers grew at Pamplona on the 4th day .. but as your thinking of starting on the 1st April I expect it would be much busier due to the mountain passage being open that's if it safe to do so

 

[sillydoll]

There is a chance the the Route Napoleon could still be closed to Pilgrims if there is adverse weather conditions. Officially it is open from 1 April but last year it was closed on 1 April and I think it opened this year but closed again 2 days later. The route vua Val Carlos (the original route written about in the early 13th century) will be open but some if the detours might by impassable so better to stay on the road.

 

[Ianinam]

April 2022 we had in the first few days of April 110 - 166 pilgrims each night in the albergue at Roncesvalles. The amounts of pilgrims in 2019 in the first days of April are alike.
Keep in mind that the days before Easter - Ash Wednesday, White Thursday and Good Friday - always gives a lot more pilgrims.

 

[Kari204]

This graph might be helpful. It shows the numbers starting from SJPdP by week in 2017.
The first week of April was week 14. As you can see, there were almost as many pilgrims starting the first week of April as the middle of July (week 29)

View attachment 136219

Thank you! This chart is very helpful

 

[Kari204]

Let me give you a specific SWAG, mark me down for 83 pilgrims starting that day. No chance whatsoever that you will be alone.

Your marked down lol.....83 others would be amazing Honestly as long as theres more then say 10-15 I'd be happy lol

 

[Kari204]

What @Bradypus said: The 1st of April is the Saturday before the Easter week in 2023. Weekends are always more popular as a starting point in SJPP than other weekdays and this weekend will be particularly popular in 2023: there will be plenty of people from European countries starting from SJPP on that day because depending on where they live, Good Friday and/or Easter Monday and/or even Maunday Thursday are public holidays which makes the Easter week an attractive week for taking time off work.

Thanks! Hadnt even looked to see when Easter was, was just looking at end of March airline tickets and then 2nd guessing if April 1 was gonna be too sparse of other pilgrims to be starting. Thats good to know, and makes sense being so close to Easter that many other people will be heading out that week. Thanks again for the insight!

 

[Kari204]

There is a chance the the Route Napoleon could still be closed to Pilgrims if there is adverse weather conditions. Officially it is open from 1 April but last year it was closed on 1 April and I think it opened this year but closed again 2 days later. The route vua Val Carlos (the original route written about in the early 13th century) will be open but some if the detours might by impassable so better to stay on the road.

Good advice Thank you!

 

[Kari204]

April 2022 we had in the first few days of April 110 - 166 pilgrims each night in the albergue at Roncesvalles. The amounts of pilgrims in 2019 in the first days of April are alike.
Keep in mind that the days before Easter - Ash Wednesday, White Thursday and Good Friday - always gives a lot more pilgrims.

Awesome info, thanks so much!

 

[Richmond Gardner]

Your marked down lol.....83 others would be amazing Honestly as long as theres more then say 10-15 I'd be happy lol

Definitely more than 10-15. There will be at least that many queuing at the Pilgrim office in the am

 

[C clearly]

I guess I'm a little nervous there will only be me and 2 or 3 others (if any) that early

Not a chance!

 

[dougfitz]

Thanks! Hadnt even looked to see when Easter was, was just looking at end of March airline tickets and then 2nd guessing if April 1 was gonna be too sparse of other pilgrims to be starting. Thats good to know, and makes sense being so close to Easter that many other people will be heading out that week. Thanks again for the insight!

I did something similar many years ago. My idea was to leave SJPP mid-week, giving me a couple of days to get past Roncesvalles before the weekend surge. I had completely neglected to check, and it was the Wednesday before Easter, so I was joining a torrent of pilgrims. I arrived in Pamplona on Good Friday, an unexpected delight. The CF was packed from Roncesvalles on for the next few days. Looking back, I don't think I could have had a more wonderful introduction to the Camino.

 

[wades1]

Due to coming across some cheap airfare in March, I was thinking of walking the Camino starting in SJPdP on April 1. (My first camino in 2018 was late April) But curious how many people (approximately) head out of SJPdP on the actual 1st day of April.
I know this varies year to year but can someone give me a ball park figure for April 1st? 3-10-30-50.....100s lol. I looked at the calendar here for April and its only showing 1 person on a different route (Norte) on the 1st.
I guess I'm a little nervous there will only be me and 2 or 3 others (if any) that early, in which case I'd feel safer waiting to end of April when more people will be heading out. Id prefer for safety to be in more of a small bubble knowing help is near by should I need it either in front or behind me but still within ear shot.
Any insight about a April 1 start would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance!

Great question, that with the replies has changed my wife’s and I’s starting date. We were initially starting on 4th from St Jean. Now plans has us starting on 1st, weather permitting to be past and avoid Easter crowds in Pamplona. $200 each savings on Air France from IAD is icing on the cake. Even with bad weather we can stay extra in Paris or St Jean and still break even.
Buen Camino!

 

[Kari204]

Great question, that with the replies has changed my wife’s and I’s starting date. We were initially starting on 4th from St Jean. Now plans has us starting on 1st, weather permitting to be past and avoid Easter crowds in Pamplona. $200 each savings on Air France from IAD is icing on the cake. Even with bad weather we can stay extra in Paris or St Jean and still break even.
Buen Camino!

Flying out of IAD as well (we must have come across the same sale lol) and starting on 1st (weather permitting) Im thankful for everyone easing my fears of starting that early. See you on the trail, if not before then (IAD/SJP)

 

[Richmond Gardner]

I grew up in and around DC… always loved flying out of Eero Saarinen’s creation

 

[Richmond Gardner]

C

I grew up in and around DC… always loved flying out of Eero Saarinen’s creation

Crickets aye… I hope the reference was understood

 

[wades1]

C

Crickets aye… I hope the reference was understood

Thanks to Google I agree!!

 

[Elvis]

Great question, that with the replies has changed my wife’s and I’s starting date. We were initially starting on 4th from St Jean. Now plans has us starting on 1st, weather permitting to be past and avoid Easter crowds in Pamplona. $200 each savings on Air France from IAD is icing on the cake. Even with bad weather we can stay extra in Paris or St Jean and still break even.
Buen Camino!

There will be lots of people for 01. Apr.23. Still too early for people to declare their intentions. Not everyone declares as well. In past years people are waiting in SJpDP to start as 01.Apr is usually when The NP route opens weather permitting.

 

[Elvis]

Great question, that with the replies has changed my wife’s and I’s starting date. We were initially starting on 4th from St Jean. Now plans has us starting on 1st, weather permitting to be past and avoid Easter crowds in Pamplona. $200 each savings on Air France from IAD is icing on the cake. Even with bad weather we can stay extra in Paris or St Jean and still break even.
Buen Camino!

Every years a lot of people start 01.Apr. Not everyone declares their intentions. Still too early as well.

 

[Tincatinker]

I did something similar many years ago. My idea was to leave SJPP mid-week, giving me a couple of days to get past Roncesvalles before the weekend surge. I had completely neglected to check, and it was the Wednesday before Easter, so I was joining a torrent of pilgrims. I arrived in Pamplona on Good Friday, an unexpected delight. The CF was packed from Roncesvalles on for the next few days. Looking back, I don't think I could have had a more wonderful introduction to the Camino.

2012 I hit Logrono on Good Friday. Wake-up pagan! The parroquial Santiago El Real was welcoming and thronged with penitentes. After supper we watched as the purple clad brethren carried their great burden in procession. The hospitalera had told us “no curfew tonight”, she wasn’t joking. The penitents were still winding down as I left the following morning