Camino Frances late March

[pennyinyk]

We are planning to start walking from SJPP around March 27. Would appreciate any advice on what we might expect in terms of conditions and any other pertinent advice. We are two 60's women from northern Canada, so we can take a little cold - we've less experience with hiking in the rain. Also, hearing that accommodations may be unreliable before Easter? Many thanks for any advice!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

less experience with hiking in the rain. Also, hearing that accommodations may be unreliable before Easter?

Expect snow in the Pyrenees. Many accommodations will not open until Easter week, but in places with more than one albergue, usually one will be open. Nothing will be open in the smaller villages (coffee, bar, tienda, etc.). Plan food, water, and rest accordingly.

 

[jpflavin1]

We are planning to start walking from SJPP around March 27. Would appreciate any advice on what we might expect in terms of conditions and any other pertinent advice. We are two 60's women from northern Canada, so we can take a little cold - we've less experience with hiking in the rain. Also, hearing that accommodations may be unreliable before Easter? Many thanks for any advice!

Pennyink:

Weather is very unpredictable. While there has been snow the last few years, I walked the Napoleon route on March 23 in 2010 and 2011 and there was no snow. The Napoleon route will be closed, at least until April 1st, so you will be going the Val Carlos route.

While some Albergues do not open until April 1st, we never had any problems finding Albergue accomodation the entire route. There is also a variety of other accommodation. I recommend you look at a guide like Brierley's or go to the Gronze.com website.

The mornings will be cold and you will have some rain. Good rain gear is necessary.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[scruffy1]

Should you presevere, you will also experience Semana Santa, Easter Holy Week is a marvelous time to be on the Camino - processions, celebrations, festivals, special masses, a-n-d a dramatic rise in the number of people walking with you. Past weather patterns don't mean anything anymore and yes it will be cold. You will arrive a bit early for the incredible blooming of wildflowers alongside the Camino, early too for fruit trees, and wisteria - the poor miserable looking sticks in the fields will gradualy bud, sprout and turn into lovely vineyards day by day - winter wheat/barley will be ankle high as you start and grow dramatically also day by day. Town and village gardens will be lovely however, expect lilies, pansies, iris, often planted togeter! Bring your long johns and enjoy everything!

 

[scruffy1]

Early morning, cold, walking fast to stay warm, the sun at your back - your arfe walking into the West - and your shadow falls onto a wheat field - your body heat rises and the shadow cast reflects the heat creating a halo. Watch for it!

 

[scruffy1]

 

[Felipe]

I did the Valcarlos way in late March, some years ago. Arrived in the morning to SJPP, walked 4 hrs to Valcarlos, stayed in the municipal albergue. Next day, 5 pleasant hours to Roncesvalles. Not difficult at all...
It was cold (0-5 C in the morning), a bit warmer later. Some occasional light rain. The last section to Ibañeta, by the forest, was muddy in some parts, but perfectly doable. Consult the weather reports some days before your trip.
It was lonely, just another pilgrim (there will be more now, since the Napoleon route is closed until April 1)
Buen camino!

 

[Mike Trebert]

I walked late March last year. Just missed Napoleon Route which opened April 1st. I didn't stop for the night at Valcarlos so walked to Roncesvalles from SJPDP on my first day. I wouldn't recommend it - you'll get stronger after a week or so but that was a hard first day for me and I had trained a lot. Late snow last year so cold, wet, muddy, snowy at top of the climb at Roncesvalles. If weather is bad or foggy you can take the road for the last, steepest, maybe coldest bit. If there's still snow on the ground it will be pretty cool in the shade. It was warm around midday in the open. It also got warmer once I headed down towards Zubiri. I don't know if there's a long range weather forecast for this year. First few days can be cool mornings, lots of shade in the forest/valley up towards Roncesvalles, take gloves and a scarf. Don't get dehydrated - easy to do even if it's cool. You'll get used to proper hydration later on but it will be easy to get that wrong on those first days. Do a last minute weather check at the pilgrim office at SJPDP and get a map so you get off the main road ASAP just after SJPDP. Last year, some people got into trouble in foggy weather on the last bit of the climb up towards Roncesvalles. So check into the pilgrim office the morning you leave for an update.

From Pamplona on, you'll be cruising.

Buen Camino, - Mike

Edit: After a few days walking if you find you need some extra key bits of gear try Caminoteca in Pamplona.

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

We are planning to start walking from SJPP around March 27. Would appreciate any advice on what we might expect in terms of conditions and any other pertinent advice. We are two 60's women from northern Canada, so we can take a little cold - we've less experience with hiking in the rain. Also, hearing that accommodations may be unreliable before Easter? Many thanks for any advice!

yes to all of the above - walking before april 1st may entail a little more homework + our springs have been late these last years, especially in northern spain

good luck and Buen Camino!

 

[pennyinyk]

Expect snow in the Pyrenees. Many accommodations will not open until Easter week, but in places with more than one albergue, usually one will be open. Nothing will be open in the smaller villages (coffee, bar, tienda, etc.). Plan food, water, and rest accordingly.

Thank you - appreciate your advice.

 

[pennyinyk]

Thank you - appreciate your advice.

 

[pennyinyk]

View attachment 31267

Thank you, Scruffy! Love your positive outlook - and the photo. Looking forward to experiencing the change of seasons on the Camino.

 

[pennyinyk]

I walked late March last year. Just missed Napoleon Route which opened April 1st. I didn't stop for the night at Valcarlos so walked to Roncesvalles from SJPDP on my first day. I wouldn't recommend it - you'll get stronger after a week or so but that was a hard first day for me and I had trained a lot. Late snow last year so cold, wet, muddy, snowy at top of the climb at Roncesvalles. If weather is bad or foggy you can take the road for the last, steepest, maybe coldest bit. If there's still snow on the ground it will be pretty cool in the shade. It was warm around midday in the open. It also got warmer once I headed down towards Zubiri. I don't know if there's a long range weather forecast for this year. First few days can be cool mornings, lots of shade in the forest/valley up towards Roncesvalles, take gloves and a scarf. Don't get dehydrated - easy to do even if it's cool. You'll get used to proper hydration later on but it will be easy to get that wrong on those first days. Do a last minute weather check at the pilgrim office at SJPDP and get a map so you get off the main road ASAP just after SJPDP. Last year, some people got into trouble in foggy weather on the last bit of the climb up towards Roncesvalles. So check into the pilgrim office the morning you leave for an update.

From Pamplona on, you'll be cruising.

Buen Camino, - Mike

Edit: After a few days walking if you find you need some extra key bits of gear try Caminoteca in Pamplona.

Thanks for these helpful tips, Mike. We won't be trying to set any speed records so will take it easy at the start, and be mindful of hydration, as you suggest.

 

[pennyinyk]

yes to all of the above - walking before april 1st may entail a little more homework + our springs have been late these last years, especially in northern spain

good luck and Buen Camino!

Thank you!

 

[pennyinyk]

I did the Valcarlos way in late March, some years ago. Arrived in the morning to SJPP, walked 4 hrs to Valcarlos, stayed in the municipal albergue. Next day, 5 pleasant hours to Roncesvalles. Not difficult at all...
It was cold (0-5 C in the morning), a bit warmer later. Some occasional light rain. The last section to Ibañeta, by the forest, was muddy in some parts, but perfectly doable. Consult the weather reports some days before your trip.
It was lonely, just another pilgrim (there will be more now, since the Napoleon route is closed until April 1)
Buen camino!

Thank you, Felipe - it's minus 30 today where I live so anything warmer than -10 is like a spring day!

 

[poogeyejr]

March/April 2011 was 29 - 30 degrees Celsius on the Norte. I am not sure what the Frances was. But if it is unseasonably warm, you can buy shorts along the way. The convenience of the Camino is that you walk through a few cities and can get what you don't take.

Where are you from in the Yukon?

Kathy (from Vancouver)

 

[pennyinyk]

Hi Kathy - I live in Yellowknife, but am in Mexico at the moment. Thanks for your advice!

 

[MTtoCamino]

The weather in Spain in the spring reminds me of living in the western high plain of Colorado, it snows but it's quick to melt, the rain can be much like Victoria real heavy, & can last for days. But for the most part it will be warm during the day & rain at night.

 

[pennyinyk]

The weather in Spain in the spring reminds me of living in the western high plain of Colorado, it snows but it's quick to melt, the rain can be much like Victoria real heavy, & can last for days. But for the most part it will be warm during the day & rain at night.

 

[pennyinyk]

Thanks, MT - appreciate your helpful advice. As we say in the north, there's no bad weather, just poor clothing choices!

 

[ChloeRose]

Rain-wise, be sure to bring a backpack cover and an actual rain jacket, not just a poncho. Ponchos are a nightmare on windy days (so, all the time in the mountainous areas) and the plastic doesn't dry out quickly.

Buen Camino from Montreal!

 

[pennyinyk]

Rain-wise, be sure to bring a backpack cover and an actual rain jacket, not just a poncho. Ponchos are a nightmare on windy days (so, all the time in the mountainous areas) and the plastic doesn't dry out quickly.

Buen Camino from Montreal!

Thanks, Chloe!