• 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)

Search 69,459 Camino Questions

Looking for season and safety advice

Nina C

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
2016 Late October to November
Hi there, I am just about to leave for the Camino and am a solo female. I will start the Camino on the 24th October and looking to finish end November early December. I hear that a lot of the accomodation and restaurants close end of October and because this has been a special year for pilgrims that more places will want to close because of how busy it has beeen.
I am tossing up whether I do the Camino or come back another year.
3 things I would really appreciate some advice on-
1. How do I find out which refuges and hostels close and will I be able to find accomodation along the way without having to walk even further each day.
2. I really need some contemplation time (hence my want to do the Camino) but I am worried that i will have trouble meeting and finding people during these months in which to travel with through some of the more deserted tracks for safety (and my fear).
3. Are there certain tracks/stages I should skip if I am worried.
4. General Weather temperatures in Nov and Dec. would a -6 sleeping bag be fine or should I also bring my thermal liner? Do I need to bring snow/ice grips?

Thank you for your time.
Nina
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-
Wrlcome to the forum! This is a perfect time to walk. There are plenty of places to stay. Just check by asking around in advance if you intend to stay in a very small village. You will have company, if that's what you want, if you stay in popular albergues and leave with the crowd in the morning. A -6°C sleeping bag is warmer than you need and it is very unlikely you would use snow/ice grips!
Buen Camino!
 
Last edited:
Welcome to the Forum!

You might indeed have difficulty finding albergues open in off season. Check this site for a list of what is usually open in winter. http://www.aprinca.com/alberguesinvierno/

Be sure to scan this recent Forum thread for posts/ links for many tips to help you prepare your winter camino.
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...forum-walking-this-dec-jan.42732/#post-437828

Most important is to be prepared. Late November 2012 walking the bicycle route up to O Cebreiro involved trudgng through a white-out and more than half a meter of snow!

Happy planning, stay safe and Buen camino!
 
Last edited:
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
.... I hear that a lot of the accomodation and restaurants close end of October and because this has been a special year for pilgrims that more places will want to close because of how busy it has beeen.
I am tossing up whether I do the Camino or come back another year.
3 things I would really appreciate some advice on-
1. How do I find out which refuges and hostels close and will I be able to find accomodation along the way without having to walk even further each day.
2. I really need some contemplation time (hence my want to do the Camino) but I am worried that i will have trouble meeting and finding people during these months in which to travel with through some of the more deserted tracks for safety (and my fear).
3. Are there certain tracks/stages I should skip if I am worried.
4. General Weather temperatures in Nov and Dec. would a -6 sleeping bag be fine or should I also bring my thermal liner? Do I need to bring snow/ice grips?
...

Hi and welcome also from me @Nina C

Autumn/Fall/Winter is a good time to walk the Camino Frances, with a bit of preparation and common sense it is possible to do this without running in any major problems.
Some places do indeed close down, but a lot are open all year round, an uptodate list can be found here http://www.aprinca.com/alberguesinvierno/ as you see it is still not 'closing down' time. Also your guidebook will give you information about this.
And whilst the masses of pilgrim are over, you will still find company both on the way and in the albergues if you want to. I personally can't think of any track I would skip because of it being deserted or similar, the only exception would be really, really bad weather but that can happen anywhere and anywhen.
A -6C sleeping bag (if that is the comfort temperature) will be fine and no, I wouldn't take ice/snow grips.

Buen Camino, SY
 
The aprinca site is not posting information yet, so you may be able to get better information at http://www.gronze.com/camino-frances

The information is about 90% accurate on Gronze, but there may be spontaneous closings of places that say they will be open. Calling ahead is a good idea. Towns with more than one albergue usually have one that is open. Municipal albergues are normally open, but you may have to call for a key. Last year October averaged 850 pilgrims per day (tapering off toward the end). November averaged 175 pilgrims per day (tapering off to about 50 by the end of the month).

Temperatures will be dropping in November and hospitaleros are reluctant to turn on the heat for just a couple of pilgrims! You may have to ask, and the response may be variable. Electricity is the most expensive part of an albergue operation, which is why there are so many domitories illuminated with one 11 watt bulb.;) Turning on the heat is done reluctantly. Interior temperatures may be the same as exterior temperatures, so a sleeping bag will be necessary in some places. Hostales and hoteles will be open, heated, and cost 25-30E per night.
 

Most read last week in this forum

I was walking on this part of the trail at around 8 am this morning. I noticed some strange materials along the path (some condoms, a pornographic picture, a pair of male underwear). The path is...

❓How to ask a question

How to post a new question on the Camino Forum.

Forum Rules

Forum Rules

Camino Updates on YouTube

Camino Conversations

Most downloaded Resources

This site is run by Ivar at

in Santiago de Compostela.
This site participates in the Amazon Affiliate program, designed to provide a means for Ivar to earn fees by linking to Amazon
Official Camino Passport (Credential) | 2024 Camino Guides
Back
Top