May-June 2011, How crowded?

[WMB]

I was thinking of walking the Camino Frances from mid-May to late June 2011, but am now concerned about crowds in the refugios etc. Perhaps 2010 was unusual as it was a holy year. What do people think the crowds are likely to be like next spring? I'd be particularly interested in hearing from people who walked the Camino in May/June 2009. Thanks for your help.

 

[cecelia]

Hi WMB,
According to the website http://peregrinossantiago.es the following is the number of pilgrims who showed up at the Pilgrims' Office in Santiago for May 2009: 16.445 (May 2010 there were 28.787). There's lots of info on the website but here's a taste. Interestingly - the numbers for May & June 2009 are almost exactly the same as the numbers for the last Holy Year (2004)
Starting Points - May 2009
Most of the pilgrims received in May 2009 started their Way to Santiago in: Sarria: 2.306 (14,02%); S. Jean P. Port: 2.301 (13,99%); Roncesvalles: 1.163 (7,07%); León: 1.082 (6,58%); Cebreiro: 762 (4,63%); Pamplona: 708 (4,31%); Ponferrada: 704 (4,28%); Oporto: 674 (4,10%); etc.
The Chosen Routes: May 2009
Most of the pilgrims chose Frances-Camino de: 12.591 (76,56%); Portugues-Camino: 1.618 (9,84%); Via de la Plata: 1.055 (6,42%); Norte-Camino de: 672 (4,09%); Primitivo-Camino: 309 (1,88%); etc.
........................
During the month of june 2009, 19.316 pilgrims were received at the Pilgrim's Office. (Note that in June 2010 there were 33.721.)

Starting Points for the month of June 2009 were as follows:
Most of the pilgrims received in this period started their Way to Santiago in: S. Jean P. Port: 3.042 (15,75%); Sarria: 2.452 (12,69%); Roncesvalles: 1.530 (7,92%); León: 1.315 (6,81%); Cebreiro: 974 (5,04%); Ponferrada: 903 (4,67%); Pamplona: 723 (3,74%); Astorga: 623 (3,23%); etc.

The Chosen Routes for June 2009
Most of the pilgrims chose Frances-Camino de: 15.235 (78,87%); Portugues-Camino: 1.501 (7,77%); Norte-Camino de: 1.086 (5,62%); Via de la Plata: 875 (4,53%); Primitivo-Camino: 401 (2,08%); etc.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

May is the most crowded month out here in the middle of the camino, followed by August and September, then June. I don´t have statistics to prove my point, just experience. Providers on the camino who is taking an economic hit from this year´s disappointing numbers is now yearning for next year, when all the pilgrims frightened-off by the Holy Year hype will (it is said) materialize along with the usual numbers of travelers.
Others blame the downturn on the "crisis" that´s brought 20 percent unemployment and all kinds of economic worry to Spain and Europe.
We shall see.

 

[Nandy61]

I walked this year from June 13-July 13th. I NEVER had a problem finding a bed. Never. Now, that being said, we were always finished walking by 2pm. Except for one miserable 39K from Leon through Mazarife to Hospital de Orbigo (long story) when I hobbled in a 4:30pm. Even then there were plenty of beds available. The last 3 days, we stayed in private albergues as we were "afraid" of the crowds. But my friends who stayed in the "munis" in Arzua, Arco etc...had no problems. One couple we saw walking into Arco around 4-5pm did get shut out of the albergues. They had to take a room at a pension. But that was a first for their whole camino.
Good luck, and don't worry. WHen these veterans on the board say "the Camino provides", they're right!!

 

[Joni]

I walked from May to June on the Camino. I found plenty of beds available until Galicia. Then it became quite crowded. Also, the alberques in that area are not as nice as other parts along the way. I was not a fast walker, nor did I get up at the crack of dawn. I did not walk the Camino like a race. (So many pilgrims were on timeclocks, I was not) I often strolled into a town at 3:30 or 4:00 PM. I never worried about a bed. You will be surprised how the Camino provides everything you need. I think May-June is probably the most beautiful time to go. The weather was wonderful for me, with only a few rainy days. Buen Camino!

 

[Former member 2537]

Hello WMB-

You posted this six months ago but take a look at

http://www.americanpilgrims.com/camino/statistics.html

for 2010 total stats.

Gene McCullough
Webmaster
American Pilgrims on the Camino
americanpilgrims.com

 

[AJ]

Others blame the downturn on the "crisis" that´s brought 20 percent unemployment and all kinds of economic worry to Spain and Europe.
We shall see.

And don't forget the world cup!