Can only go in July...what are the Pros & Cons?

[Sikpupi]

Hi
Due to work rules... my wife could only be allowed the month of July off if she wants 30-35 days off in a row.

I am flexible in Juky and it would brpe good for as business is quiet for that month

So... if we decided to do the Camino for the month of July... what would be the pros and cons. We both mid-50's....

 

[Bradypus]

I was about to say that the only "pro" I could think of is that the busiest times are now May to June, and September to October, with slightly fewer people walking in the intense heat of July and August. That is a frequently expressed belief. But then I looked at last year's Compostela statistics and saw that July and August had the highest figures That may well be skewed by the fact that the feast of St James falls at the end of July and massive numbers visit Santiago at that time. Most of those who walk only cover the final 100km or so. On the Camino Frances that usually means beginning in Sarria. That can lead to huge overcrowding in the final stages in late July and August but the earlier part of the route is likely to be relatively quiet. If you are not daunted by the prospect of large crowds and are prepared to book accommodation well in advance you might enjoy being in Santiago with the festival crowds. Not my idea of fun but each to their own

The huge "con" to walking in July is the weather. You can expect serious heat and very intense sunlight. My first Camino Frances was walking from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Santiago in July and August. I do not know where you are from and what sort of weather you consider normal. I am Scottish and come from a land that has never known temperatures above 33C and sometimes does not need the word "sun" in its vocabulary for weeks at a time Being much younger and even more stupid than I am now I often became badly dehydrated, occasionally suffered mild heatstroke, and allowed the back of my neck to be so badly sunburned that it cracked from ear to ear like a Sunday roast joint. The vast open meseta that runs from Burgos to Leon has very little shade and you will be very exposed if you walk in late morning and the afternoon. Many people choose to start walking well before dawn and end their day shortly after noon to avoid the worst of the sun. I prefer to walk longer stages and take a long lunch break mid-afternoon. That can have its own problems if there are many people walking and bed spaces fill up early. You pays your money and you takes your choice...

 

[onwayhome]

I'd say go when you can. I've walked in July and as Bradypus says it's likely to be hot; covering up, plenty of water and avoiding midday sun will be helpful. Accommodation might need booking, especially near SdC.

On the other hand it can also be refreshingly wet in Galicia in July (- or any time of the year). You could have a lighter pack to carry (less clothes and quick drying of washing on the way), a chance to take part in the great St James celebrations in SdC, and maybe wind down by taking a beach holiday in Finisterre.

 

[Fletchonides]

The big pro is that the time works for you both to go. If you want to both go and walk the full Camino Frances, that's your only option. In that sense it's not really a pro; its a choice, go or not.

From what you say, you should just go.

The rest is is just 'What will it be like, and how do i work around the negatives.
hot: wear a hat, lots of sunscreen, lots of water, adjust your schedule to get up earlier to walk when it is less hot (which you will learn after a day or two of walking in the heat anyway).
Possibility to bring a sleeping bag liner instead of a sleeping bag and save space/weight, which might be offset by the increased water carrying. Carrying less bulky clothes.
Busy: you will meet lots of people on the road, and you should probably book some accommodation, at least in key places like the start in Roncesvalles and the end stages from Sarria. Not confined to July, this applies to possibly half the year. you will still find ways to be as alone as you need to be in the midst of people.
It will be less green and more brown than earlier in the year (except possibly in Galicia if they have a lot of rain). So what?

 

[Koidream]

The PRO is that both of you are free in July... All the rest depends on what you expect.
Our avatar gives you an idea of what it's like walking together

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Pro: you will be walking the Camino.

 

[RJM]

Pro: warm, dry weather equals light pack. It never rained on me in July in northern Spain on the Camino. I never brought rain gear. I wore shorts and just a shirt everyday and used only a sleeping bag liner. My pack weighed less than five kilograms.
The only con would be that it does get warm and some pilgrims have a difficult time with that.

 

[Kanga]

Yes a definite pro: light packs. Although there is always the possibility of a cold snap, it is most unlikely, so no need for sleeping bags or heavy clothing.

I walked in July with my daughter for the same reason as you; it was the only time she could get away. We set out at first light each day and stopped by 2pm at the latest. We found the meseta not as bad as expected, there was always a breeze in the morning. When we hit Galicia it rained but it was warm rain so we usually did not bother with donning our rain gear. Got wet and then got dry!

 

[trecile]

How hot it is will depend on the year. I walked my first Camino mostly in September, and I experienced hotter weather than I had last year in July and August. People that I know that walked in May and June last year experienced an early heat wave. You just never know.

I would rather walk when it's hot with clear skies, so that I can see and enjoy the views rather than trudging through rain and mud with my head down. I carry a handsfree umbrella that is perfect for sun protection http://www.euroschirm.com/schirm/teleScope_handsfree/info.cgi?session=&sprache_land=usa.

I think that the reason that so many Compestelas are awarded during July and August is because there are so many school and church groups that walk during that time. But in general they only walk the last 100 km from Sarria. I found the first parts of the Camino to be busier in September than in July. However, from Sarria onwards was much busier in August, and I usually booked ahead a day.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Pros:
You carry a sleep sack instead of sleeping bag.
No rain gear
Fewer clothes to carry so a MUCH lighter pack

Cons:
more pilgrims and fewer beds
Hot sun (carry an umbrella!)

IT WILL BE BEAUTIFUL!

Go and Buen Camino!

 

[David Tallan]

My son and I walked in July (started July 7).
Pros:
You can go. (That's why we went then, we had to go when my son was on summer break.)
Less rain (We never needed our rain gear, but there was still a bit of rain. I'm not sure I would leave it behind.)
Less layers needed.
All the albergues open.

Cons:
Hot sun
More pilgrims (especially after Sarria)

 

[Dorpie]

I set off on July 5th last year and had a great time. Really didn't have any more trouble finding an Albergue than I did starting in late April two years earlier. Yes the heat and baking sun are an issue, I had one nightmare day between San Bol and Hontanas but the positives are that the days are long and you can spread your walking through the day. Also, setting off at the cool sunrise at 6am for me was a real treat and you can have your day's walking done by 2pm and then still have plenty of time to explore, relax and socialise. Another huge plus is that more and more albergues have a pool and a relaxing soak after a long day of walking is absolute bliss.

One thing you do have to keep in mind is that it's the Festival of St Fermin in Pamplona between the 6th and 14th of July. Personally I'm pretty anti albergue/accomodation booking but if you're planning on staying anywhere near Pamplona BOOK NOW! Also keep in mind that the town itself will be loud until late at night so not condusive to sleep, not to mention a rather unpleasant aroma of sangria, vomit and other bodily fluids.

Buen Camino,

Rob.

 

[nycwalking]

Cons: heat and heat. Pros: tons of folks to meet.

Buen camino.

 

[David Tallan]

We also walked through Pamplona during los San Fermines on my last Camino. It is a completely different city then than during the rest of the year. Watch out for pickpockets! We didn't even try and find accommodations in Pamplona, but were able to find them without reservations in Arre, about four and a half kilometers before Pamplona. If you like the medieval aspect of the pilgrimage route, it is a good albergue to stay at.

 

[Deleted member 75649]

Hi. I walked in August last year and enjoyed the heat however am Australian. I left at 7 am, was completely covered with hat, long sleeves and long pants and took two water bottles. I went swimming about 8 times on the Camino. It rained once on the Meseta. I only had a rain coat so stopped after 17km. The last 100km was crowded. The best places I stayed at were in the small towns. Go for it you will love it.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Wear long, loose sleeves and lightweight baggy pants. The sun against the skin will make you feel much hotter, and sunscreen will not provide thermal relief. Think of how folks dress in the desert areas of sub-saharan Africa.

A hat with a sun cape over the neck will be helpful, as well as darker glass sunglasses with good UV A & B protection. Sun glasses with side protectors can also be valuable. Think glacier glasses.

Also, a lot of backpackers, and pilgrims doing the Camino, will using trekking umbrellas which provide immense relief from sun and rain both. The can easily attach to a pack so that they are virtually hands free when deployed.

https://www.gossamergear.com/products/liteflex-hiking-chrome-umbrella

And even with the frequent availability of public water for refilling bottles, make sure that you have plenty of water carrying capacity and drink frequently to remain hydrated. Dehydration isn't just an issue of danger, it also drastically affects performance.