Camino Winter Advice

[adam lapp]

Hi fellow peregrinos. I'm a Camino Frances vet, as I've done it 3 times (I plan on doing Norte this summer). I guess i'm addicted.

With that said, I've got 3 weeks off of work end of Dec and early Jan and I am considering doing a 15-20 day winter hike. I've only done the Camino in late spring or summer.

Does anyone have advice on:

• Best sections during winter
• What to expect
• How many pilgrims will I see each day
• Besides the temp and many albergues being closed, are there any other differences?

Thanks,
Adam

 

[Deleted member 3000]

You won't see many pilgrims. I saw 14 in three weeks in January. I have walked from Pamplona once and Leon twice. Both were good if one plans for the closings. There was snow in the O Cebreiro stretch two times. I went around by bus and taxi. If you like quiet, that is the time to go!

 

[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 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!

 

[RENSHAW]

I know you are asking about availability and experiences on the Norte but there was a couple who camped the Frances during the winter .............. with a dog. Perhaps you can get a better winter perspective.
You could search for their blog linked to one of their forum posts? - most interesting and they seemed happy without any major problems?

 

[Deleted member 43985]

I enjoyed mostly every part of the CF so instead of which sections I liked the best, I'll share the section that was the toughest for me, namely the Meseta. I'm not a Meseta hater or avoider in general and rather enjoyed it in the spring however in early February it was a deep, gummy mud that went on and on and on... Every step was an effort to 'un-suction' my feet from at least ankle deep mud and then every few steps I'd have to use my poles to chisel off the bottoms of what had become platform shoes. I suppose on the flip side it did instill in me some humility so it did serve a purpose but man it was slow, exhausting times...