Introduction

[Joseph Singleton]

Hello Pilgrims
My wife, Pauline and I are planning to walk the last 100km or so during Easter week. We are both quite fit and in our 60's so but we will get some practice in before we leave. Do we need to book places in the Refugios before we journey or are there always places available for hikers in the hostals?
We are looking forward to the Spanish scenery which is probably quite different ot our rural Northamptonshire home.

 

[Ed Skelly]

Hello Joseph
And its good that your walking the Camino and your correct to consider how busy it will be in the Refugio's but let me put your mind at rest.
Yes, the last 100km are the busiest and most popular but by walking in mid Aril it will be relatively quiet with room in the refugio's for everyone.
I've walked that part twice now in June and managed fine although the path and accomodation is qiite busy at that time. I'm confident you will be ok.
I will be following in your footsteps but lagging a bit behind, I leave from Le Puy on 3rd April.
All the best
Ed Skelly

 

[Ed Skelly]

Sorry Joseph I need to correct what I've said. I've no idea how busy it will be during the [/url]Easter Holyday.

 

[Peter Robins]

My wife, Pauline and I are planning to walk the last 100km or so during Easter week. ... Do we need to book places in the Refugios before we journey or are there always places available for hikers in the hostals?

not sure if you are getting confused on the different types of accommodation. The pilgrim hostels are generally called albergues de peregrino in Spanish, though some people use the term refugios, which is generally used for mountain hostels. Most of these in Galicia are run by the regional government, and you cannot book in them at the moment, though there is talk of introducing such. There are also some private ones, where you may be able to book ahead. Hostales are the 2nd tier of hotel-type accommodation, generally cheaper and more basic than hotels; you can of course book in these.

And, yes, Holy Week (Semana Santa, i.e. the week before Easter, assuming that's what you mean by 'Easter week') is a big holiday in Spain and likely to be busy, particularly on the Galician section you're thinking of walking, and particularly this year as Easter is late. If you don't have any particular reason for doing it then, I'd recommend picking another week, perhaps walk the week before, and book a hotel in Santiago for the Easter weekend if you want to experience Semana Santa - it is a major event in Spain with large religious processions and the like.

We are looking forward to the Spanish scenery which is probably quite different ot our rural Northamptonshire home.

If you're only walking the Galician section, you will not see typically 'Spanish' scenery. I have seen Galicia compared with Cornwall, Wales and W Ireland, though it reminds me more of Brittany than anything else. But, yes, not very like Northants!