Is mid-April a good time to start the Camino Francés? Thank you.

[Jerri]

Is mid-April a good time to start the Camino Francés? Thank you.

 

[Jarrad]

Indeed! It can be a bit cool for my preference, so I personally lean toward late April or early May for a start, but you would be fine. There's some good info on average temps and precipitation at SJPdP here.

Lots of services and accommodations will be open. You also would be getting a bit ahead of the crowds and certainly would be avoiding the summer rush, but based on past numbers you won't be wanting for company.

Good luck!

 

[Jerri]

Thank you very much.

 

[Richmond Gardner]

Is mid-April a good time to start the Camino Francés? Thank you.

Yes, just keep in mind that Spaniards come out in large numbers during Semana Santa (Easter week). So, accommodations are much harder to find.
Buen Camino

 

[Richmond Gardner]

Yes, just keep in mind that Spaniards come out in large numbers during Semana Santa (Easter week). So, accommodations are much harder to find.
Buen Camino

I should’ve checked the calendar… Easter is right at the beginning of the month!

 

[Jerri]

Thank you very much.

Great to know. Thank you.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Any time is a good time to start a Camino

 

[J Willhaus]

It will be pretty busy...

 

[Robo]

Is mid-April a good time to start the Camino Francés? Thank you.

Where do you plan to start from?
I started twice from St Jean in the last week of April and the weather was good.
Though can be inclement weather over the mountains.
Once was blue skies and once was low cloud and rain.
Both times some snow still around.

 

[Jerri]

Where do you plan to start from?
I started twice from St Jean in the last week of April and the weather was good.
Though can be inclement weather over the mountains.
Once was blue skies and once was low cloud and rain.
Both times some snow still around.

Starting from St. Jean the 2nd week in April. Prefer cool/cold to hot. Thank you very much,

 

[Ianinam]

Make sure you make reservations for the first nights, in the 'bottleneck' between Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and Pamplona. April 2023 was much busier than April 2022.
And keep in mind that - although the Route Napoleon will officially be open as from April 1st - the Route Napoleon can be closed any moment due to heavy snow. Then you have to walk the Valcarlos route, also a beautiful walk but less dangerous.

 

[Camineiro]

Definitely YES

 

[Susan Peacock]

It’s a beautiful time to walk. I’ve started mid-April five of my Caminos. The flowers are blooming and the fields of wheat are green. It does seem like it’s been discovered and last year April starts from SJPdP exploded. So be sure to make reservations through Pamplona and then you get a feel for what you need to do in regards to calling ahead.
As for weather it can be anything. I’ve walked a year where I had to get my poncho out 75% of the days, I walked in a snow storm at Cruz de Fero in a snow storm on May 12th. I’ve mostly had the Napoleon route open, but consider it lucky, as in 2 cases it only opened the day I was crossing. I’ve had one where I didn’t take my poncho out even once. I’ve had lots of cold weather but then this year an African heatwave caused it to be unseasonable warm after it snowed in the Pyrenees. So April weather is definitely bi-polar….. but I love it.

 

[dfox]

Is mid-April a good time to start the Camino Francés? Thank you.

I started my Camino on April 30, 2017 from SJPP.

I didn't encounter any snow days, but some folks after me did. There were a few "not light, not heavy" rainy days.

I stayed in an " albergue in Melide (?), there were only a few people in it, there was no heat, I thought/think due to cost. (Melide is a place for yummy pulpo. )

Due to global warming, the weather could change.

 

[benny aumala]

You love flowers and green vegetation? Yes !

 

[Guy Strachan]

In my opinion Spring is the perfect time of year for any of the Camino walks. Enjoy!

 

[DoughnutANZ]

I encountered snow in mid May so the weather in the mountains is very changeable and so it is wise to plan around that.

It is correct that April 2023 on the Camino Frances at St. Jean was much busier than usual, however there is no evidence that this will continue in future years. In 2023 Easter was in early April. The May day European holiday fell on a Monday and that conjunction meant that a lot more European pilgrims took advantage of the extra holiday days and walked in April.

Edited to correct Easter dates

No one knows yet if April 2024 will be as busy as 2023.

 

[Jodean]

Easter was not in late April in 2023, it was the 1st week of April. The Camino Frances was very, very busy. Same thing in April, 2022, but Easter was middle April. Again, very busy.

Spring was gorgeous last April and May, there was so much green and so many flowers. Weather was great too!

 

[WalkingInGers]

Yes, just keep in mind that Spaniards come out in large numbers during Semana Santa (Easter week). So, accommodations are much harder to find.
Buen Camino

excellent reminder, thanks

 

[Trekker One]

The best time to start your walk would have been yesterday. Today or tomorrow is also a good time to start.
Each season has its charms.
I've walked early spring and late fall.
Mid May through mid September would be a no go for me due to the heat. I would much rather walk on cooler days than 35 C to 40C hot days.
Also the crowds during the mid May to mid September would be an issue.
Camino 'prime time' seems to be extending earlier into March and well into October now. The demand is high.
400,000 Compostelas ytd in 2023 is proof of that.

 

[J Willhaus]

Actually we've found June to be a good month to walk. Not quite as hot. Crowds less than in April and September.

 

[David Tallan]

The best time to start your walk would have been yesterday.

That is true no matter what the season or date is.

 

[JamesHowe]

Thanks for all this info. I'm scheduled to step on the Camino in SJPP on April 23 to try to get ahead of people starting in May (and more moderate temperatures) while also increasing my chances of accessing the Napoleon Pass.

Sounds like it may be busier than I expect. Guess that means using some strategies to avoid potential logjams such as avoiding staying at popular towns/places to stay overnight.

Sounds like the weather is likely to be unpredictable especially earlier on. Something I knew but important to reinforce.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

April and May are quite busy.

 

[Former member 94614]

i started mid April in 2022, and there was a lot of rain and mud for the early stages, and cold, but after that was beautiful and getting pretty hot by mid day while walking thru may- except mountain areas were still chilly.
i didnt see big crowds or have trouble spontaneously finding a place after pamplona. plenty of solitude! (i am very slow.)