Camino Frances - April, may or june?

[irrie]

Hello, this is my first post on this forum. I am retired since last month and my husband and I want to walk the camino frances next year. I have got already a lot of information from this forum. The only thing is that I am not sure when to go. I was thinking to start after easter, but now I have read that that time will be relatively busy. There should be a remarkeble dip from the beginning of june to the end of july? Is that a better time to start? The weather doesn’t bother me much.

 

[naplesdon]

Besides the numbers of people on holiday and the inconveniences of trying to walk during mid April at Easter, the first of May is a big holiday along with Ascension is at the end of of May. Some of these celebrations are fun but they can go on all night long. July 5 to 15 is San Fermin in Pamplona and it should be avoided at all cost, mainly because it will cost you an arm and leg to stay anywhere nearby. There was no festival in 2021, so it will probably be heavily attended this year. There are lots of local festivals in different villages in the summer, they can be a lot of fun to attend and fortunately most of visitors are staying with family and friends. You can find where and when these festivals are on line.
You say you don't mind the weather but depending on where you plan to start, the mountains can br fairly iffy weather-wise in April and into early May. Consider that most of the Caminos are on latitude 40 north, so the weather is not terribly different from upper states in the US and the mountains are higher than the most of the Appalachians which are 2000 metres.

 

[henrythedog]

Before Easter or after the 1st of September would be my recommendation.

Easter through to late summer are historically busy; add to that the 2020-2021 backlog and the extended holy year on top of the usual bed-race and it’s reasonable to expect it to be very busy indeed.

IIRC the Pope’s due sometime next year also.

 

[trecile]

If you are starting from SJPDP May is a very popular time. You may be able to avoid some of that busyness by beginning just after Easter.

 

[irrie]

Yes we are starting from SJPDP. The plan now is to start direct after easter.

 

[swweyman]

Hello, this is my first post on this forum. I am retired since last month and my husband and I want to walk the camino frances next year. I have got already a lot of information from this forum. The only thing is that I am not sure when to go. I was thinking to start after easter, but now I have read that that time will be relatively busy. There should be a remarkeble dip from the beginning of june to the end of july? Is that a better time to start? The weather doesn’t bother me much.

Not sure I can add much else but here is my experience: I travelled mid April through end of May 2018. The Napoleon route from St Jean Pied de Port was closed that week over the Pyrenees and I had only three days of rain during my entire Camino Frances. Leaving O Cebreiro there was even a bit of snow in May. That being said I found the temperature perfect for walking. Cool in the morning, warmed up to the 15-20 degrees C (60's F) during most days and it even made sure the water I had with me was cool to drink. It wasn't very crowded and finding accommodations wasn't an issue.

 

[simoneva]

If you try to stay just after the cities it will feel less crowded. Fewer in the village than the city; fewer starting at the same time as you.

The weather will be fine anytime April to June. I have not been in July/August but I can say it is much more pleasant to walk in 22 degrees than 35 degrees.

 

[Former member 99026]

I did 10 days early April 2018 then 11 days late March early April 2019 then somehow missed April 2020 and 2021 but hope to finish end October, early November this year.
I seem no reason for not going after Easter. My understanding was that things got steadily busier from then on.
Good Luck
Enjoy
Buen Camino

 

[MFord]

Thanks for the question. I also want to start mid-April to avoid summer heat and crowds. Easter is 4/17/22. My thought would be to start that day. I think Easter Monday is celebrated, too. Will this mean two days of closed restaurants and albergues between SJDP and Pamplona?

 

[henrythedog]

Thanks for the question. I also want to start mid-April to avoid summer heat and crowds. Easter is 4/17/22. My thought would be to start that day. I think Easter Monday is celebrated, too. Will this mean two days of closed restaurants and albergues between SJDP and Pamplona

Every day of Semana Santa is celebrated - especially in larger towns - with more participants as the week goes on.

Nothing - so far as accommodation, food and drink is concerned - will be closed; but all will be busy.

 

[Eamonrodden]

Hello, this is my first post on this forum. I am retired since last month and my husband and I want to walk the camino frances next year. I have got already a lot of information from this forum. The only thing is that I am not sure when to go. I was thinking to start after easter, but now I have read that that time will be relatively busy. There should be a remarkeble dip from the beginning of june to the end of july? Is that a better time to start? The weather doesn’t bother me much.

Just be aware that many Spanish people walk the week leading up to Easter, then they go back to work or study.

 

[domigee]

Hello, this is my first post on this forum. I am retired since last month and my husband and I want to walk the camino frances next year. I have got already a lot of information from this forum. The only thing is that I am not sure when to go. I was thinking to start after easter, but now I have read that that time will be relatively busy. There should be a remarkeble dip from the beginning of june to the end of july? Is that a better time to start? The weather doesn’t bother me much.

The best time to me is starting in July You cannot fault it
Unfortunately, next year, I may have to start in Aprril and I am dreading it! Everybody and his dog seem to start in April!

 

[c0484]

Hello, this is my first post on this forum. I am retired since last month and my husband and I want to walk the camino frances next year. I have got already a lot of information from this forum. The only thing is that I am not sure when to go. I was thinking to start after easter, but now I have read that that time will be relatively busy. There should be a remarkeble dip from the beginning of june to the end of july? Is that a better time to start? The weather doesn’t bother me much.

I always walk from mid April until late may. Tthe temperatures are comfortable then. In June it begins to get dramatically hotter.

 

[Marianjhart]

Hello, this is my first post on this forum. I am retired since last month and my husband and I want to walk the camino frances next year. I have got already a lot of information from this forum. The only thing is that I am not sure when to go. I was thinking to start after easter, but now I have read that that time will be relatively busy. There should be a remarkeble dip from the beginning of june to the end of july? Is that a better time to start? The weather doesn’t bother me much.

I walked in late may and early June. The wildflowers are so amazing at that time of year. I hope to go again just for that.

 

[Dougie1982valley]

There is never a bad time to begin BC

 

[EL LECHERO]

If you try to stay just after the cities it will feel less crowded. Fewer in the village than the city; fewer starting at the same time as you.

The weather will be fine anytime April to June. I have not been in July/August but I can say it is much more pleasant to walk in 22 degrees than 35 degrees.

I'm planning on walking from St Jean on or around March 28th/29th 2022 and ending in Burgos or a couple days after that....