• For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here.
    (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation)
  • ⚠️ Emergency contact in Spain - Dial 112 and AlertCops app. More on this here.
  • Get your Camino Frances Guidebook here.
This is a mobile optimized page that loads fast, if you want to load the real page, click this text.

Do many pilgrims start Sept 1 in the big cities on the CF?

FourSeasons

Veteran Member
Donating Member
Time of past OR future Camino
2013, 2016, 2019, 2024
Hi all, I'm dreaming of a 2024 (4th) pilgrimage on the CF starting in SJPdP on August 18th, approximately. I know it will be hot, I walked July/August 2019. I'm in the need of not having to pack extra layers because I'll be packing a laptop.

If I start mid August this should get me ahead of the major crowd starting in SJPdP early September however, will I be clear of it as I march on through Burgos, Leon mid September? I know Sarria is a different animal altogether in which I may skip this time. No need for another Compostela, more need for peace of mind. Thanks!
 
More 2024 Camino Guides available
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
2024 edition: The Brierley Camino Frances Guide
The first edition came out in 2003 and has become the go-to-guide for many pilgrims over the years. It is shipping with a Pilgrim Passport (Credential) from the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
People start from every large city along the route and September is a busy time throughout the Camino Frances. No one can predict the future, but expect increasing crowds everywhere as the month moves on.
 
I just walked Burgos to Santiago starting August 25. So I was ahead of the September wave. Relative to my late May walk SJPdP to SdC in 2018, it was dead out there. Often saw only 4-8 pilgrims during my day's walk. Albergues with capacity of 36 or 50 beds had only 5 or 6 people. It picked up with a new wave starting from Leon beginning of September. But I only booked if wanting a hotel in city on a weekend, and had no problem. Even in Sarria albergues friends and I stayed in were 25% full. So starting point and dates make all the difference!
 
Camino Preparation Guide
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
My husband walked from Burgos in 2021 to his assignment on the meseta. Not as many places open and covid restrictions on bed numbers. The only time he had a bit of trouble finding a bed was in Foncebaden on Oct 12 during the holiday.
 
I can't predict what it will be like in in September. I can tell you what it was like in September 2021. If course covid restrictions on albergues capacity did limit beds. I walked the 1st 2 weeks, then volunteered for 2 weeks, and started walking again earl October. No problem finding a bed except for a 3 day national holiday October 12th in Foncebadon. I went to every hotel, the albergue in town (I started at the entrance to town and worked my way up, saw tour buses but no beds). I finally stopped at the donativo and waited in line for them to open. I did get a bed.

While I was volunteering I was only full 1 or maybe 2 times. Will it be that way for you? I don't know.

Buen Camino!

Phil
 
To avoid the crowds of the last 100 kilometres from Sarria, why not take the "Camino del Invierno" from Ponferrada. It's a very beautiful and little-travelled route.
 
Discover the Northern Camino!
Join our full-service guided tour of the Basque Country and let us pamper you!
Q : Do many pilgrims start Sept. 1st in the big cities on the Camino Francès ?

A : Yes.
 
I am currently planning to walk next May and am decided when in May to begin. Could you please elaborate on your experience walking the CF during the month of May. Any information would be welcomed
 
batty said:
Could you please elaborate on your experience walking the CF during the month of May.
Click to expand...
The considerations for May are very similar to those for September.

For both months, the critical questions are: Where are you starting and what kind of accommodation do you want?

Both May and September are very busy, especially from SJPP and Roncesvalles, so you might want to book the first several days up to and including Pamplona. By Pamplona and after, private accommodation seems to be more of a problem than albergue beds, especially in the albergues where reservations are not taken. After Pamplona, if you are flexible and willing to sleep in those albergues, you will probably find beds without too much difficulty. If you are not flexible and are unwilling to use albergues, then you probably need to reserve, but likely a few days in advance will be enough.

Here are three threads from the FAQ section that discuss these issues: strategies for walking in busy times, contrasting impressions of "crowded" times, and the pros/cons of using a travel company.
 
Get a Spanish mobil number + data while on the Camino
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
Based on my 2022 walk, the Invierno suggestion is a good one. Two other quieter routes are the Camino Madrid (walked in 2016) and the Camino Sanabres (walked in 2019). The Madrid route ends in Sahagun and we walked from there to Santiago on the CF. For the Sanabres route, we started in Salamanca and walked for a few days on the Via de La Plata before starting the Sanabres. The quieter routes take a bit more planning.
 
batty said:
I am currently planning to walk next May and am decided when in May to begin. Could you please elaborate on your experience walking the CF during the month of May. Any information would be welcomed
Click to expand...
I walked the CF this year (2023) starting in SJPdP on May 6 and there were more people than I would have liked. I pre-booked my first 5 nights (through Pamplona) and then would book 1-2 days in advance after that, but the farther along I got, I felt the need to book 4-6 nights in advance. I'm happy I walked this route for my first Camino, but I likely won't walk it again and will opt for Caminos less traveled instead. I did meet lots of wonderful people, however, who I am still connected to.
 
Monasp said:
To avoid the crowds of the last 100 kilometres from Sarria, why not take the "Camino del Invierno" from Ponferrada. It's a very beautiful and little-travelled route.
Click to expand...
Definity something to think about, a nice alternative. I'll do some research, Thanks!!
 
Camino Way markers in Bronze
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Camino Photo

Most read last week in this forum

Similar threads

LIVE from the Camino CF day 1, off to a great start!
Replies
11
Views
1K
Annw
Where in Camino Frances (800km) Route Do I need to Spend more Time exploring the Cities/Towns?
Replies
51
Views
4K
Kristen Alvarez
Aug/Sep on the CF
Replies
12
Views
2K
RJE
Menu
Log in
Register