michaelporourke
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Primitivo
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If the virus has receded enough to travel for the Summer-Fall season expect the last 100kms to be quite tight in terms of private rooms. Everyday was pretty packed in the towns when I was there this past September. Given current circumstances, if albergues are open in high season, I would expect distancing to remain, making total bed availability less thanprior to pre pandemic. If I might suggest , be specially mindful of Friday—Sundays when additional local walkers or visitors may be in the towns.Not everyone is making a camino. Consequently, many CF towns have higher prices for private accommodations on the weekends. Also Pope Francis is currently expected to come to SCQ in Sept. 2022 and it is still a holy year! …so expect higher-prices and full accommodations!In mid September you won't see anywhere near the number of pilgrims during the last 100 km as there are in July and August. There's no reason to alter your plans
If the virus has receded enough to travel for the Summer-Fall season expect the last 100kms to be quite tight in terms of private rooms. Everyday was pretty packed in the towns when I was there this past September. Given current circumstances, if albergues are open in high season, I would expect distancing to remain, making total bed availability less thanprior to pre pandemic. If I might suggest , be specially mindful of Friday—Sundays when additional local walkers or visitors may be in the towns.Not everyone is making a camino. Consequently, many CF towns have higher prices for private accommodations on the weekends. Also Pope Francis is currently expected to come to SCQ in Sept. 2022 and it is still a holy year! …so expect higher-prices and full accommodations!
I am not sure if you are starting your Camino mid-September or arriving in Santiago. I finished my 5th Camino Frances on Oct. 23rd this year. In any case here would be my advice:
1)The fall is actually a very busy time on the Camino and the numbers are still high in September.
2) If you want to avoid crowds do not stay in the towns that the books recommend and do not arrive at one of them between 8:00-9:00 a.m. I stay off-stage but this year hit Portomarin at 8:30ish and walked with between 100 and 200 people AT ALL TIMES that day. I would walk faster only to find more people. The next days we planned our schedule to not only stay off stage, but not arrive in those towns at those hours and it was considerably quieter. Keep in mind that the sun rises very late in the fall when you plan your days.
3) Watch out for Spanish holidays when many Spanish walk. In the fall, I believe they are Oct.12 and Nov. 1 but there may be local holidays as well. I have found accommodations difficult on the Camino around the holidays.
4) Santiago is a tourist destination also, so not arriving on a weekend would probably be best. Also, some of the Spanish only walk the weekends, taking a few weekends to complete the last 100km.
5) Allow enough time to get your Compostela and know the process. Register ahead of time with personal information, go to Pilgrim office to get QR code when you arrive in Santiago and then you can go celebrate and take pictures at the Cathedral.
" Might say it connects God's beauty with his humor " I love it! A great turn of phrase.After the Camino, I think there is something appealing about arriving to the crowds, especially the Praza with pilgrims celebrating their arrival and tourists admiring the Cathedral. After miles of mountainous, pastoral, vineyard and other beautiful scenery, I love to people-watch. Might say it connects God’s beauty with His humor.
I get that. The first time I joined the Francés at Melide (the Primitovo was quieter then) i thought a football match had just ended and it was very confronting to see literally crowds. But after a while, I got to like it. I enjoyed the feeling of being part of this vast flow of humanity.After the Camino, I think there is something appealing about arriving to the crowds, especially the Praza with pilgrims celebrating their arrival and tourists admiring the Cathedral. After miles of mountainous, pastoral, vineyard and other beautiful scenery, I love to people-watch. Might say it connects God’s beauty with His humor.
In general, should you wish to avoid arriving in Santiago during a 'wave' of other pilgrims arriving, plan your walk so as to arrive in Santiago during the midweek days.I’m hiking the Primitivo around mid-September.
I don’t know if there is an answer for this question, but here goes:
From a pilgrim/accommodation congestion standpoint, are there days of the week to avoid that tend to have the largest influx of arrivals in Santiago? Or towns within the last 100 miles that have influx on particular days?
Too many in September with loud music. I just did the Primitivo and had to go on the Frances which. I don’t like. There is way ro avoid the Frances from the Primitivo and come out by the airport sorry I’m not home where i have the information. Will try to remember to post it when i get homeIn mid September you won't see anywhere near the number of pilgrims during the last 100 km as there are in July and August. There's no reason to alter your plans.
Hello Susan... About item 2: I had to read and reread carefully to understand your advice. (Because... 1) I am sometimes dense. And 2) because you used the word "arrive" instead of something like "pass through".)I am not sure if you are starting your Camino mid-September or arriving in Santiago. I finished my 5th Camino Frances on Oct. 23rd this year. In any case here would be my advice:
1)The fall is actually a very busy time on the Camino and the numbers are still high in September.
2) If you want to avoid crowds do not stay in the towns that the books recommend and do not arrive at one of them between 8:00-9:00 a.m. I stay off-stage but this year hit Portomarin at 8:30ish and walked with between 100 and 200 people AT ALL TIMES that day. I would walk faster only to find more people. The next days we planned our schedule to not only stay off stage, but not arrive in those towns at those hours and it was considerably quieter. Keep in mind that the sun rises very late in the fall when you plan your days.
3) Watch out for Spanish holidays when many Spanish walk. In the fall, I believe they are Oct.12 and Nov. 1 but there may be local holidays as well. I have found accommodations difficult on the Camino around the holidays.
4) Santiago is a tourist destination also, so not arriving on a weekend would probably be best. Also, some of the Spanish only walk the weekends, taking a few weekends to complete the last 100km.
5) Allow enough time to get your Compostela and know the process. Register ahead of time with personal information, go to Pilgrim office to get QR code when you arrive in Santiago and then you can go celebrate and take pictures at the Cathedral.
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