Currently on the VDLP?

[intrepidtraveler]

Has anyone out there recently left Seville to walk the VDLP? If so, how are temperatures? Many others on the trail?

Am coming down to the wire for decision time on this year's route. Am torn between VDLP or Aragonés -Frances -Invierno and just wondering....

 

[happymarkos]

Hi Intrepidtraveller
I left Seville on 12 April and walked as far as Salamanca. The route exceeded my expectations as the paths and scenery were generally very attractive. Bear in mind there had been a lot of rain in March and some through April so everything if not muddy was green. Thousands of hectares of oak trees that shed the acorns the pigs feed on to produce the famous iberian ham. Lots of vines, olives and fields of grain. Much of the countryside is lightly populated unlike in northern Spain, Portugal and southern France.
When i finished in May the days were getting quite warm and by now would be even worse so need to keep that in mind. I certainly would not head off in summer.
Lovely old Roman towns and generally attractive villages. Some of the stages are very long and I had to cut into two. I estimate 20-30 people in all walking when I did. Some joined in Merida having walked from either the Mediterranean or Atlantic coasts and others stopped after a week or so as time ran out or through injury.

 

[intrepidtraveler]

Thank you, @happymarkos. At this point in time I'm feeling like the heat should still be manageable. Hot and dry, to me anyway, is preferable to cool and muddy which seems to be the case at the moment in Aragon, my other option for a starting point. Happy to hear you found your Camino gratifying.

 

[Saint Mike II]

Thank you, @happymarkos. At this point in time I'm feeling like the heat should still be manageable. Hot and dry, to me anyway, is preferable to cool and muddy which seems to be the case at the moment in Aragon, my other option for a starting point. Happy to hear you found your Camino gratifying.

Hola @intrepidtraveler: Given you are from West Coast Nth America I feel I should provide a little more feedback on the weather in Southern & South central Spain in June and July.. In June if you go by the averages in Seville, expect 25C (77F) with a high of 32C (92F), but by the end of June the July temps are more applicable average 28C (83) but I suggest the highs of 35-39C (93-101 F) are more the temperatures you can expect once you get inland, away from any moderating maritime influences. As has been reported elsewhere in this section carriage of water on the longer sections is more important, as is a broad brimmed hat. Best of luck!!