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Avoiding summer crowds?

PFarnsworth

Camino Believer
Time of past OR future Camino
Camino Frances July 2018 and July 2022?
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?
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
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.
 
The first edition came out in 2003 and has become the go-to-guide for many pilgrims over the years. It is shipping with a Pilgrim Passport (Credential) from the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
St James' Way - Self-guided 4-7 day Walking Packages, Reading to Southampton, 110 kms
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!
 
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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.
 

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