From Sarria....what time of year?

[Philosykos]

Hello friends..just a few questions! Planning for a near future trip..Sarria to Compostela with a friend.Best time to do this? I hear summer is very crowded..Is last week October a good time? Or April or May?My time depends on my work ..but I am free last week October..during Easter...or end of July till end of August.So what would be best weather wise to avoid alot of rain basically?Or too much Heat?

Also..starting in Sarria..must we STAMP our passports there before we start off?

Can I obtain a passport in Sarria? Or can we obtain ahead of time by mail? And how far in advance can we get or does it not matter?? Many thxs!

 

[mspath]

Philosykos,

Welcome to the Forum!

Be sure to read these earlier Forum threads regarding walking from Sarria to Santiago; starting point in Sarria and the camino from Sarria.

In Sarria you can obtain a Credential at the church of Santa Marina, Travesía de la iglesia, 3
and at the municipal albergue, Calle Mayor, 31; both are on the camino Wherever you do get your Credential it is important that you obtain at least two sellos per day. You must ensure that you do this at least for the last 100 kms from the Cathedral of Santiago if you are walking. For more info see the Forum thread two stamps per day

However now you can order your Credential directly from this Forum!

When might be the "best time" is always a personal choice. Summer would be very busy and hot. Easter week would also be busy. Late October should be less crowded. However November 1 is a national holiday, Día de todos los Santos, ( All Saints Day ) and the camino may be busy .

Whenever you do decide to go be prepared for rain! Galicia isn't green and verdant by chance; carry good rain gear.

Happy planning and Buen Camino,

Margaret Meredith

 

[Philosykos]

Many thxs!
What kind of rain gear should one have? A rain poncho? Is there anything one can put over tennis shoes to protect feet??

Thanks again!

 

[wayfarer]

I walked the Sarria section in May as part of the whole Camino in 2012 and on its own with my wife in September 2013. Both were beautiful times of the year. I would reccomend light waterproof rainpants and a breathable rainjacket. The rainpants should cover most of your shoes so that will sort that problem. You can get your passport as early as you like. There are some available online, one of the forum members, David, sells them in his online store.

Edit: you can also get them here.

http://www.santiagodecompostela.me/...passport-from-the-pilgrims-office-in-santiago

 

[mspath]

Scan the Forum topic Equipment Questions for rain gear. To start your research here is a recent thread poncho or waterproof shell.

 

[Philosykos]

Thankyou both!

 

[Stacey Wittig]

Hello friends..just a few questions! Planning for a near future trip..Sarria to Compostela with a friend.Best time to do this? I hear summer is very crowded..Is last week October a good time? Or April or May?My time depends on my work ..but I am free last week October..during Easter...or end of July till end of August.So what would be best weather wise to avoid alot of rain basically?Or too much Heat?

Also..starting in Sarria..must we STAMP our passports there before we start off?

Can I obtain a passport in Sarria? Or can we obtain ahead of time by mail? And how far in advance can we get or does it not matter?? Many thxs!

Hello Philosykos,

You can procure your pilgrim credential (passport) from this forum. Simply click here: http://www.santiagodecompostela.me/...passport-from-the-pilgrims-office-in-santiago

I walked from Leon (through Sarria) to Santiago in May. It was beautiful weather -- not too hot -- which is important to me. It rained in Galacia...but doesn't it always rain in Galacia? Since I am from Arizona (without much precipitation) I was happy to walk in the rain. The rain was not as heavy as Les Chemin de St Jacques in southern France. I recommend that you have your pilgrim credential stamped in Sarria before you leave. The church office recommends that you have it stamped twice per day if you start out near here.

 

[Philosykos]

Thankyou! Does it matter how far in advance you get a pilgrims passort? I mean could I get one now still not knowing when I will actualy go??

 

[mspath]

Thankyou! Does it matter how far in advance you get a pilgrims passort? I mean could I get one now still not knowing when I will actualy go??

No problem.

MM

 

[Philosykos]

Thxs!

 

[capun]

My wife and I did it at the end of April, beginning of May. It was not crowded (it was just starting) and the fields were green due to the tremendous amount of rain they had last year (it stopped a few days before we started). We had a couple of day with rain but, I would have called them more like showers. We decided to take the Ferrigno Ponchos and gaiters. Beware of the poisonous Hortiga

 

[Philosykos]

Hi.whats Hortiga???

 

[capun]

Hortiga is a weed that grows among the regular weeds. In the spring the weeds will be covering the sides of the trails, it will go through pants and give you a terrible rash. My wife got it bad.

 

[Philosykos]

Good to know..many thxs!