• Get your Camino Frances Guidebook here.
  • For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here.
    (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation)
  • ⚠️ Emergency contact in Spain - Dial 112 and AlertCops app. More on this here.
This is a mobile optimized page that loads fast, if you want to load the real page, click this text.

Best Time of Year to Start Camino fro SJPDP?

S

sandylea

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
2015
There is just some much information on this topic that I'm starting to get a little confused about what month of the year to commence the Camino Frances. My main aim is to avoid rain. I have narrowed it down to the months of late April/May/June or late Aug/Sept. I was in the north of Spain last Sept and the weather was very warm. Is that normal? Any advice would be appreciated.
 
Camino Inglés Walking Holiday - UK
St James' Way - Self-guided 4-7 day Walking Packages, Reading to Southampton, 110 kms
It is driest in July and August, when it is hottest.
 
2024 edition: The Brierley Camino Frances Guide
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.
I was on the Camino last Sept also. Pamplona to Burgos.Then from Sarria to Santiago. Very hot indeed!! Pilgrims were starting the day at 4:00am and finishing at noon to beat the heat. I was informed that it was as hot in Sept last year as July and August. I am going back April 29 to start from SJPDP-Pamplona;Burgos to Sarria;Santiago to Finnisterre.It will most likely be not nearly as hot.I can always stay dry and warm with gear but dealing with that heat ,you can only take off so much clothing and all that really does is get ya burned 'all over'.
 
Lightfoot Guide to via Francigena
Guides that will let you complete the journey your way.
Thats sort of funny because I went late October to early December ... These are wetter months than the summer months ... and I went then to avoid the rain.

Thats because November and December are the worst months of the year for rain where I live.

It rained often whilst on the Camino but it was much warmer and drier than it was at home.
 
I will be arriving in Madrid,Delta Airlines from Atlanta, 8:35am on April 29 and bus from the airport to Pamplona . I'll be needing to share a taxi to SJPdP on April 30. if your plans coincide and you are interested let me know.
 
Discover the Northern Camino!
Join our full-service guided tour of the Basque Country and let us pamper you!
I would expect you will see a lot more rain in spring than if you go in Aug/Sep. But August will probably be brutally hot so I would suggest going as late as possible.
 
End of April and May sounds good to me. Much of the rain that falls does so at night, and is not a problem, so don't take basic stats at face value.

In Galicia you're practically guaranteed rain, as you're walking through clouds, but it's sometimes just a fine misty rain and can be quite refreshing. On the other hand it tipped down on me last autumn while walking, and although prepared I was unamused. (Unlike the group of Germans in the bar who laughed at me when I arrived.) Buen Camino!
 
In Galacia the rain comes in squalls. If you keep your eyes on the clouds you can see them coming. I found bus stops, trees, and sometimes overhangs on buildings, were useful places to take cover.
 
Camino Inspired & Tested Gear!
New Original Camino Gear Designed Especially with The Modern Peregrino In Mind!
as they say on the Appalachian Trail... 'to get to Maine ya gotta walk in the rain in pain'; SO, the same might be said about getting to Santiago,Spain. just bring a good poncho ,a good IPOD, hunker down and sing as you go. It worked for me last year during the 5 day stretch between Sarria and Santiago, all of which were IN THE RAIN.
 
 
hola!buenos dias. yes, I started Sept 5 , Pamplona to Burgos. After the flight to Madrid and the bus trip to Pamplona I was anxious to get my hike started and therefore did not want to spend any more travel time to get to SJPDP . I am from FL and the heat was not a big deal to me as it was a dry heat. Humidity and high temps (Florida) make it more difficult as the sweat doesn't cool the body off. I did meet several pligrims who seemed to be genuinely suffering from the heat (over 100degrees F) last Sept...I had a thermometer on my pack. My wife arrived Madrid on Sept 19 so I met her and we hiked the 5 days Sarria -SDC together. The rain in Galicia did have a positive efect on me as well, cool and ALIVE and the scent from the flowers and eucalyptus trees was wonderful!!
 
Altus Poncho (ATMOSPHERIC H30)
Very light, comfortable and compressible poncho. Specially designed for protection against water for any activity.

Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

€60,-
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Camino Photo

Most read last week in this forum

Similar threads

H
  • Tags sjpp to roncesvalles
    • First-time Camino walkers seeking taxi advice for SJPDP to Orisson
    Replies
    31
    Views
    2K
    alwalker
    Best day of the week to start at SJPdP in May?
    Replies
    22
    Views
    3K
    Kathar1na
    M
    Latest viable date to start this year?
    Replies
    9
    Views
    2K
    Septarian
    Menu
    Log in
    Register