Camino Frances Jan 2020

[Reetuska]

I would like to walk camino Frances starting during the first week ofJanary 2020. Will I find albergues open along the whole way? I wish to start in Roncesvalles since I am a bit concerned to cross the Pyrennees in the winter. All advice is heartly welcome. This is my first camino!

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

I would like to walk camino Frances starting during the first week ofJanary 2020. Will I find albergues open along the whole way? I wish to start in Roncesvalles since I am a bit concerned to cross the Pyrennees in the winter. All advice is heartly welcome. This is my first camino!

The Napoleon route will be closed. Check with the albergues, many may be closed. Expect cold and even snow, not only in the Pyrenees.
Good luck and Buen Camino

 

[henrythedog]

My first Camino was in a February and there was, indeed, snow on the ground in a few places. On my first photo of Cruz de Ferrol you can’t see the cross through the blowing snow.

There are (almost) reliable lists of winter accommodation available - check the resources section on this forum.

There will be few other pilgrims, but you will get to know them! I have only ever walked caminos between October and February. I have never failed to find somewhere to stay - but sometimes had to take a more expensive option.

I would not want to walk in the heat and crowds of peak season.

 

[Reetuska]

The Napoleon route will be closed. Check with the albergues, many may be closed. Expect cold and even snow, not only in the Pyrenees.
Good luck and Buen Camino

Snow is okay. Being from Finland I am used to blizzards and even -30 degrees Celcius. It won’t get that cold I am sure. I like the idea of less piligrims - and the cold is easier for me than hot would be. I suppose if albergues are closed some other accommodation is available?

 

[mspath]

To further your research re Walking in Winter see these earlier recent threads filled with useful links and tips.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/logrono-to-burgos-in-january.50991/

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/november-december-cf.50932/

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/walking-the-camino-in-december-january.37261/

Sillydoll who is a Forum member has in her blog compiled encyclopedic information on Winter Walking.
http://amawalker.blogspot.fr/2009/10/walking-in-winter.html?m=1

Twice during winter caminos I have sat out true blizzards; in Villafranca Montes de Oca, February 25, 26, 2006 and Foncebadón, March 5,6, 2009. Even late November 2012 the climb up to O Cebreiro was packed with snow. You can see the snow and read my blog accounts of these three memorable storms here. http://mermore.blogspot.fr/p/memories.html
Luckily open albergues offered welcoming shelter, heat and companionship.

Most of us who walk or walked in late autumn and winter wear and carry lightweight but warm layers which can easily be added or removed while walking. Each pilgrim develops a favorite combo. Scan the Forum's Equipment topic http://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/forums/equipment-questions.30/
to see a multitude of varied approaches. Here's mine
http://mermore.blogspot.fr/p/kit-and-tips.html

Remember winter is a great time to walk, but you must be PREPARED!

Happy planning, stay safe and Buen camino!

 

[lt56ny]

I would also recommend using Gronze.com, and the Wise Pilgrim app and or Buen Camino app. (I heard the Buen Camino app is now free but I don't know for a fact). No one source has all the albergues and is always correct about when albergues are open. If you have some Spanish language skills I would call ahead to make sure an albergue you want to stay in is open. Even knowing simple phrases like "es la albergue abierto hoy? would probably suffice.

 

[Reetuska]

Thank you for the answers. Still wondering if it might be quite easy to get lost in the winter time? Is 25 km per day even possible or must there be many longer days than that?

 

[Malachiuri]

When it snows, are the road sections of the Valcarlos route cleared enough to walk safely?

M

 

[Gumba]

It was snowing last year when we walked via Valcarlos to Roncesvalles. There was a snow plough clearing the road.

 

[Malachiuri]

Super. Thanks for the info.

M