First Camino help!!

[Verdonay]

Hello everyone!

I am soon to be off on my first Camino. I will be starting from SJPDP on November 1st. I got the app for a better idea of albergues and which are all season but it doesn't seem that there are many at all. I know a lot close during this time of the year but now I'm getting increasingly nervous that I will not be able to find anything when arriving in towns but not sure it would be wise to book all in advance in case of injury or rest days etc.

Any tips or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Christine

 

[domigee]

Hi Christine!
I don't know which App you have but those sites have information on the albergues, which are open all year etc.

http://www.gronze.com/camino-frances
http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/los-caminos-de-santiago/frances/

I wouldn't recommend 'booking all in advance' as you don't know at this stage how far you'll find comfortable to walk each day.... depending on the weather, how tired you are etc.
Also bear in mind there are fewer daylight hours in which to walk.
I don't think it is very crowded in November so if they are open at least they shouldn't be 'completo'.

I have heard that lots of cafes are not open in the winter though so I would always carry a snack and something to drink.

Buen camino

 

[SYates]

Closer at the time have a look at http://www.aprinca.com/alberguesinvierno/ that is a list of albergues that are open in winter and it is maintained by volunteers that live on the way.

You do not need to book in advance because of fear of over crowding, but you need to check if the place you want to stay at is actually open. And yes, as already mentioned, carry snacks as bars in the smaller villages might be also closed or open later than in summer.

Buen Camino, SY

 

[Verdonay]

Hi Christine!
I don't know which App you have but those sites have information on the albergues, which are open all year etc.

http://www.gronze.com/camino-frances
http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/los-caminos-de-santiago/frances/

I wouldn't recommend 'booking all in advance' as you don't know at this stage how far you'll find comfortable to walk each day.... depending on the weather, how tired you are etc.
Also bear in mind there are fewer daylight hours in which to walk.
I don't think it is very crowded in November so if they are open at least they shouldn't be 'completo'.

I have heard that lots of cafes are not open in the winter though so I would always carry a snack and something to drink.

Buen camino [/QUOTE

Thank you so much! Super helpful websites!

 

[C clearly]

There are enough places open in November that a little bit of planning each day is all that you need - stopping at popular stopping points; looking at a map to see if there are several options in a village; calling ahead if you are nervous.

 

[flywitheva]

I will also start 1st of november in SJPP Christine! And I don't plan to book anything in advance, it will be part of the adventure

 

[mspath]

However do plan to carry some food always with you. Many summer-only shops and bar/restos will be closed. Hence my food basics have included tea bags, packets which make a cup of soup (even including croutons!), firm cheese, small sausage, simple cookies and some chocolate. Nothing heavy but enough to exist for 24 hours if need be.

On past caminos especially during storms when I stopped in small and remote albergues far from any supply source novice pilgrims have often staggered in wet, cold and hungry. They may have had the best gear but carried no food; of course I shared. Such simple supplies can taste like ambrosia when nothing else is available.

Remember winter is a great time to walk, but you must be PREPARED!