Camino Frances in October

[Jme]

I'm hoping for any information on what to expect if I undertake the Camino in October 2016, as of right now I am undecided if I should go then or wait until June/July 2017. I'm hoping to gain some information on what weather I can expect if Albergues will still be open and if I will encounter a number of other pilgrims? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

 

[mspath]

I'm hoping for any information on what to expect if I undertake the Camino in October 2016, as of right now I am undecided if I should go then or wait until June/July 2017. I'm hoping to gain some information on what weather I can expect if Albergues will still be open and if I will encounter a number of other pilgrims? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

October/November is a great time to walk with generally golden days and cool nights. Do be aware however that many albergues start to close mid October. For lots of personal commentary regarding walking at this time including a kit list see my Camino Gazetteer blog.

For what others have posted re Autumn walking see this earlier Forum thread.

Happy planning and Buen Camino!

 

[SYates]

I hugely prefer to walking in October to walking in summer also! Buen Camino, SY

 

[Rebekah Scott]

October is gaining in popularity every year, especially among non-Spaniards accustomed to varied weather. If you are fit and can do longer etapas. it may be ideal.

 

[Castilian]

Hi Jme! Welcome to the forum!

You will encounter other pilgrims. If you want to look for previous years' statistics, you can take a look at: http://oficinadelperegrino.com/estadisticas

Regarding weather, October can be rainier than June/July but it won't be as hot as June/July.

Another point to have in mind, specially if you plan to walk long days, it's days in October are shortern than in June/July.

 

[jsalt]

I'm hoping for any information on what to expect if I undertake the Camino in October 2016, as of right now I am undecided if I should go then or wait until June/July 2017. I'm hoping to gain some information on what weather I can expect if Albergues will still be open and if I will encounter a number of other pilgrims? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

Hi, October is the best time of the year IMHO. Cooler, no race for beds (which you get in June/July), still plenty of pilgrims along the way, no big school groups. Some places have closed already, especially in the smaller villages, so don’t plan on staying in a place where there is only one private albergue, as it may have closed for the winter season earlier than expected. There are still enough albergues open in the bigger towns to accommodate everyone. I’ve walked the CF twice in October, and both times I had about 6 days total of rain. Jill

 

[Stuart Lennon]

Hey JME.

A friend and I are walking from SJPDP on October 9.

We are doing a week.

 

[Lucky Sprite]

I did my first part from St J mid October a few years back. It was lovely nice enough weather if you don't mind the odd shower and fine with a summer sleeping bag at night.
I met quite a few pilgrims and found beds easily enough. I'm hoping to go back to complete Sarria to Santiago in October

 

[Albertagirl]

I walked to Santiago from St Jean Pied de Port last year, beginning on September 30. For me it was good weather (two weeks of rain) and a pleasant walk. However, by the time that I was approaching Santiago in mid-November, many albergues were closed and it was becoming harder to find a bed for the night. This year, I am leaving two weeks earlier and walking the camino Aragones before continuing on the Frances from Puenta la Reina. Given the crowds from April on this year, I think that fall may be a desirable time to walk. However, I may move on to less busy routes in future (hence the Aragones) as the crowds on the Frances seem to be causing increasing challenges.

 

[Blaster]

Perfect time for us - we chose it on stats in 2014 and had a great CF with little rain, no mud and no heat and most albergues were still open.
Same in 2015.
This year I will leave STJPdP mid Sep and go all the way to Muxia and back - can't wait!

 

[Kanga]

@Blaster and I will be following your posts all the way. Don't think my family will let me go again so soon, but I wish!

 

[islandwalker]

October/November is a great time to walk with generally golden days and cool nights. Do be aware however that many albergues start to close mid October. For lots of personal commentary regarding walking at this time including a kit list see my Camino Gazetteer blog.

@mspath, your Camino Gazetteer blog is a real treasure. I just discovered it tonight while looking at some old posts and have spent many happy hours reading your entries. For those who haven't seen it, mspath has organized the entries from each of her 11 Camino Frances walks in geographical order (as opposed to chronological order). Thus you can read about a specific stage many times over on a single page and compare her experiences, the weather, the path conditions, and her growth as a pilgrim over the various years. The reading is both poignant and joyous. Thank you, mspath, for the many loving hours you put into this project.
Elaine

 

[mspath]

Elaine,
Many thanks for your kind comments. I am pleased that you found the Camino Gazetteer useful.
Now at 80, although time has taken a toll, I still enjoy sharing camino info with new walkers and digital readers.

Buen Camino and, as always,
Ultreia!
Margaret

 

[islandwalker]

Now at 80 I still enjoy sharing camino info with new walkers and digital readers.

Margaret, I am so glad to know you are still contributing. In between my earlier post and this reply, I explored other parts of your site and found much useful information for the October camino my daughter, husband, and I are planning. Your writing is inspiring; I hope that the revival of this thread helps others discover it.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I remember lots of ferias in October, and wonderful festivals like THIS one in September!

A Wine Festival in Azofra

Note: This festival was on one of our first Caminos. These festivals still happen each Autumn and if you're lucky, you'll pass through on ...

caminosantiago2.blogspot.com

 

[AlexanderAZ]

I remember lots of ferias in October...

Anniesantiago, are you aware of how I could find schedules of various ferias/festivals in October 2019? I realize this post is over 3 years old but you seem to have a special pulse on happenings regardless of year or route!

 

[Anniesantiago]

Festivals all over the place, not all on the Camino Santiago. You might look up the villages along the way and find out when their local patron ferias are. Here are some I found online:

– San Froilán in Lugo. From 4-12 October for a week. Camino Primitivo – Original Way. León, on the French Way, also celebrates San Froilán.
– Fete de St Foy in Conques, on the Le Puy Camino, in France. Around 10th and 11th October.
– San Lucas horse and country fair in Mondoñedo with origins dating back to the 12th century. Mid-October. Camino del Norte– Northern Way.
– Apple Fest takes place in Redondela, on the Portuguese Way, in early October.

There's an Irish festival in Cáceres on October 25
A couple of saffron festivals in Toledo October 25-28
The Pilar fiestas in Zaragoza from October 5-13
October 18-28 is a floral festival in Córdoba
Valencia has a local festival starting with fireworks the night of October 8
Wine festival October 10-13 in Cangas del Narcea, Asturias region
Fiesta of the Moors and Christians in Crevillente October 5-7
Oktoberfest in Madrid on October 24-27
San Lucas Fair in Jaen on October 12-20
Concurs de Casell (where they build those giant human towers) in Tarragona Oct 5-6
White Night Festival October 5 in Madrid - free entrance to museums, etc.