Avoiding summer crowds?

PFarnsworth

Camino Believer

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Frances July 2018 and July 2022?

• Apr 17, 2018

• #1

I've heard that during the summer many of the pilgrims from Europe start during the weekends, particularly on Saturdays. Is this correct? Could I avoid the larger crowds in late June by starting on a weekday?

 

JabbaPapa

"True Pilgrim"

Time of past OR future Camino

100 characters or fewer : see signature details

• Apr 17, 2018

• #2

I learned on my last Camino that the crowds along most of the Francès are Spring and Autumn ones -- the Summer crowds congregate mainly in the last 200K from Ponferrada, and the last 100 from Sarria moreso, as I understand things as they stand in the 2010s ...

Plus Burgos and Léon in particular.

 

D

Deleted member 3000

Guest

• Apr 17, 2018

• #3

PFarnsworth said:

Could I avoid the larger crowds in late June by starting on a weekday?

Click to expand...

That would help a little bit, but an even better strategy is to stay in the smaller places rather than the guidebook end points. Crowding on the path are less a problem than the bed hunt in the evening!

 

Tincatinker

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2012

• Apr 17, 2018

• #4

If you want to avoid the crowds on the Camino Frances don't walk the Camino Frances.
Starting from St Jean on a weekday might make a marginal difference over the first few days but after that who knows. Most Spaniards will start wherever they're inclined but not in France. As @falcon269 says avoiding the classic guidebook stages will ease the pressure, avoid the honey spots and there will be fewer bees, but the Frances is a honeypot along its entire length.

That said the Frances has plenty of accommodation, more bars than a respectable drinker could possibly visit and a 'buzz' of its own (nudge to the bees reference for any one who missed it). Enjoy your Camino!

 

Last edited: Apr 18, 2018

scruffy1

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Holy Year from Pamplona 2010, SJPP 2011, Lisbon 2012, Le Puy 2013, Vezelay (partial watch this space!) 2014; 2015 Toulouse-Puenta la Reina (Arles)

• Apr 18, 2018

• #5

Santiago is calling! There are several (many) different ways to arrive in Santiago. The CF has been very crowded in recent years however it is entirely possible to set out from Lisboa, Porto, Sevilla, Ferrol, or San Sebastián (Donostia in Basque), all which are no less traditional all of which will see less traffic all of which will be equally satisfying.