Best time to start from Porto in the fall

[LindaB]

Hi folks, I was supposed to start from Porto in a few days, but we had a death in the family. A couple nonrefundable reservations allow a single change of date if I make the change now.

Since my schedule is wide open for next fall, I'd like opinions on when might be best to walk Porto-SDC-Finisterre-Muxia-SDC within the August-October period. Thank you.

 

[David Tallan]

I started from Porto last October 1 and the weather was good, the Camino was not too crowded and not to empty. It seemed a good time to me for a fall camino. But I haven't walked it at other times to compare.

 

[surya8]

Most of Sept it still summer in Portugal, in terms of weather and numbers of people on the route. The whole month of Oct is pleasant to walk, might be slightly cool in the morning but warm, sometimes even hot during the day.Rains usually start at the end of Oct or in Nov, still better to have some rain gear as weather could be unpredictable, especially in Galicia. In Oct would also be enough people on the route but no rush for the beds. High season on the Portugues finishes in Nov but all the municipal albergues are open throughout the year. Bom Caminho!

 

[lt56ny]

I too go with October. It can still be hot in September. There will be pilgrims but you won't have to worry where to sleep at night.

 

[alhartman]

I started in Lisbon Sept 29 2017 and weather was too hot for me (25-31) so Tourigrino thru : Santarem, Tomar, Fatima, Coimbra-- then restart Porto Oct 9. Weather was perfect, always able to walk alone, always able to find dinner companions, always a bed, food was great, Portuguese very hospitable. So a perfect camino--except that I destroyed both Achilles from all the cobblestone walking and needed to leave after San Pedro Rates!!

 

[RJM]

I have walked it before from Porto during the July-August time frame. I thought the weather was perfect and the pilgrim numbers was perfect. Warm and sunny and no rain until Galicia. Never encountered a full albergue until Tui. Then the numbers increased, as expected, but still always found a bed in the municipals. The private ones were often booked completely via reservations.
I imagine late September-October Camino Portugues from Porto would be quite nice in terms of pilgrim numbers and weather.

 

[Former member 91017]

I am going from Coinmbrá in early November and should hit Santiago by the 21/22 Nov.
I keep fretting that everything will be closed, and that I will get wet and hypothermic... But surely others walk in November. I think "winter" is Dec. 1 through start of March? And it's always a "mild" country with winters more like the Pacific North-West?
Def. getting my flu shot before I head out though.

 

[Mike Savage]

I have walked from Porto twice starting mid September and it is a beautiful time to walk. Two years ago it was pretty crowded. I think around October first would be good though the farther North you get the cooler and wetter it could be.

 

[John H.]

Sorry about your sad news and delay. September is beautiful and I would start around Sep.15. This is when the kids are back in school and the beaches and accommodation are less busy. Statistically, the number of days with rain increases by 50% in October vs. September.

Have a great trip.

 

[Cindy B.]

I am walking it now. I started in Porto 10 days ago. The coast was so perfect, temperature-wise (in the 70's farenheit). The last few days have been hot, around 90 degrees F.
But, with some breeze, shade, water, and a sun hat, it's really okay.

 

[LindaB]

Thanks for the advice. I am thinking around September 15