April or June?

[november_moon]

My husband and I are planning to walk part of the Camino Frances in 2014 - most likely from Leon to Santiago. We can go in April or June, with a slight preference for June. What are the positives and negatives of walking in either month? It seems like the weather would be better in June - less rain and mud, warmer temps but not super hot yet. Is June a particularly crowded month to walk?

 

[Istvan_Pamplona]

April, hmmm. The spring is coming, everything is turning into green, trees are blossoming, the landscape is really-really beautiful. But... Here in Pamplona (Navarra) and also in Galicia rains almost every day which can make you depressive. And the pathway is so muddy sometimes, that you can only walk on the road as nowadays between SJPdP and Roncesvalles...
June is much dryer and not very hot yet, i vote for June.

 

[jirit]

I would suggest June

 

[ffp13]

Ditto, definitely June,

I have walked May, June, and July, but never April, seeing the dried footprints ankle deep in the hard clay has put me off ever planning an early spring Camino.

 

[fraluchi]

We can go in April or June, with a slight preference for June.[...]Is June a particularly crowded month to walk?

It depends upon which length of time you intend to walk the Camino. If from Roncesvalles to Santiago, figuring at least 30 days (790 km), you may find that starting from mid-May is a good choice. Crowds on the path usually increase gradually from the last 10 days' walking onwards before Santiago. There are enough facilities to "cope with the volumes". The weather tends to stabilize and nature is in full bloom. April might just be a little bit early for this.

 

[ffp13]

. The weather tends to stabilize and nature is in full bloom. April might just be a little bit early for this.

I agree with Fraluchi,
Especially this year, most of Europe has had their longest gloomiest, coldest, wettest winter in 150 years. Who knows what summer will bring when it finally arrives? It could be like our (Australia's) last summer the hottest and driest on record.

Short range forecasts are remarkably accurate, unfortunately long range forecasts are still hit and miss, all we can do is prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

 

[november_moon]

Thanks everyone. It looks like June is the clear choice. We will probably be walking from Leon to Santiago.

 

[Jim L. Sanders]

The dye is cast. Linda (my girlfriend) and I fly into Madrid on the 15th of April and hopefully, we start the Camino from SJPdP on the 16th,

 

[jpflavin1]

November_moon:

I would recommend April.

The weather this year has been quite wet but it could change very quickly. I walked the last 3 years in the March/April time frame 2010/2011 were actually very dry and warm, 2012 was a bit wet but nothing terrible. In April, there will be far fewer Pilgrims than June. No rush for beds.

So if you enjoy a more crowded potentially drier Camino choose June. If you enjoy Spring and everything in bloom, possibly wetter, choose April. Airfares are usually cheaper at this time of year.

I am leaving on April 8th.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[nellpilgrim]

April gets the thumbs up from me every time. Just the most lovely season to walk in even if it is a bit damp sometimes.

 

[november_moon]

So it looks like a toss up again

How is the humidity in June - I know the temps can be warm, but is it a dry heat or a wet heat? We are used to dry heat, so that wouldn't be a problem.