Camino de Madrid in February & camping possible?

If you don't mind camping in winter with a real possibility of frost and snow, Camino de Madrid will be IT.

Kathi Weg said:

Dear all!! I'm thinking about walking the Camino de Madrid in February and am wondering how the weather conidition would maybe look like (I know it depends on every year, but maybe with some experience I could get a better picture about temperatures, rainy days.. ) Besides, I'm wondering if camping by that time of the year would be totally crazy or doable and actually a pleasure
Besides I can't find any real paperbook guide to this Camino! Are there some or is it good to have a map and gps data and stuff like that (would be totally new ground for me though..)
Aaaand last question: I would originally be in Valencia though an heard that there is starting the Camino Levante, but also would have the possibility to visit a friend in Sevilla and looked into Via de la plata..
Basically I would be happy to hear about comparisions between the Camino de Madrid/ Levante and Via de la plata

Puuhh.. sorry for a whole load of questions but it's kind of hard to find helpfull information about more unknown Caminos I figured

Buen Camino, Kathi!

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Kathi:

I am not sure how the weather is in February but I walked this route the first week in April 2016. The section between Cercedilla and Segovia had quite a bit of snow. On average about 12 inches once I reached Fuenfria. You might want to consider snow shoes . I posted several pictures on this section of the Madrid. That said, If you are an experienced Winter hiker you will be prepared.

Ultreya,
Joe

Hi Kathi - there is a downloadable guide to this route in the Resources Section. I am currently updating the guide and the new edition will be ready before you go. Have a look at the frequency of albergues and other accommodation and you may feel that carrying a tents isn't worth the extra weight.
There is much woodland on the Camino Madrid with reglar patrols by forest rangers and the police. Wild camping is illegal in Spain and you may be moved on if you are spotted.
I've walked the Via de la Plata a few times - a couple of years ago in February. It was Very cold in the mornings often with freezing fog - then sunscreen needed by midday. I found the evenings very cold. There are many places for wild camping but the Albergues were open - some were very cold I wouldn't like to have been in a tent. I simply walked with the list of accommodation available in the forum resources section and the distances from the Gronze.com website
It is a few years now since I walked the Camino Levante - it is an epic route but your stops and accommodation need careful planning. There is a guidebook in English.
Let us know what you decide!

Kathi Weg said:

Thanks a lot for the information, very helpful! I'm not sure if I can consider myself as an experienced winter hiker, but I've been doing some winter (hiking) tours but more with a snowboard or skis though .. But do u think there might be a risk of avalanches then if there would be more snow in the more mountanery section?

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Kathi:

It is about 8 km's up the Hill to the point. About half way up I encountered snow. It made finding the trail a little difficult. Once I reached the peak I found a good foot of snow with 18 inch drifts. The path from this point is pretty intuitive since it is a pretty large gap between the woods but most of the markings were covered in snow. That said, I walked through a foot of snow for the next 7 km's which became a slog. This is a 31 km day without snow. Unless you have hiking experience in this type of weather, I would recommend you skip this section in snowy conditions.

I posted most of my days on this Camino and on this day pictures to warn others who might be following me. I suggest you read through these posts and then make your own decision. If I had known there was that much snow, I would have skipped this section. That said, it was an experience I will not forget.

I do not know how much snow this area gets during the Winter months but I saw no avalanche type conditions.

Ultreya,
Joe