May/June?

[Brian E]

So I am not on here a lot but noticed that the Camino is apparently very busy at the moment. I plan on walking St. Jean to Burgos starting May 20, 2018 and honestly just assumed things wouldn't be too crazy and I wouldn't even need to bother with reservations, race for a bed, etc. I am now changing my tune a little and thinking otherwise. Has anyone walked mid to late May starting from St. Jean the last couple years and how was it crowd wise and any need for reservations and all that?

Thanks
Brian

 

[DavidJ1215]

Hi Brian

I know others on this forum have had different experiences but this is what I found.

I walked this year from St.Jean to Santiago leaving on the 6th May and arriving in Santiago in the first week of June. I stayed mostly in albergues and had only one issue with finding a bed for the night – in Hornillos del Camino where I found it full due to a coach touring party and I had to walk on to Hontanas, where I was able to find a bed. The only bookings I made were for my first two nights in St Jean and Orisson. I usually started walking anytime between 6am and 7am and walked for on average 6 to 7 hours per day

 

[Dorpie]

Hey Brian,

My experience two years ago was very much the same as David's. Over the course of late April to early June I only once had to go on to the next town. My experience in August this year was similar.

I'd say as long as you're finishing before 3pm or so you really shouldn't have any difficulty. If it does prove to be very busy you can always change your approach en route but I'd urge you to keep things as flexible as possible. What happens when you meet your potential new best friends only to discover that they've booked in one town and you in the next?

Buen Camino,

Rob.

 

[JulieandPeter]

We walked this year late-May - July 2. We had reservations (my husband snores, so we booked private rooms), but did not need them until after Sarria. A travelling companion who was walking much faster than us, cancelled all of his reservations after Roncesvalles. He found a place to sleep every night very easily.

Two years ago, we walked April/May with reservations only in SJPDP and had no problems finding places as we went. We are slow walkers and are usually the last to arrive. The only place we had to search a little harder for a bed was Palas de Rei. After Sarria, it was crowded in May, but nothing like it was in July.

I was shocked by the post-Sarria crowds in July especially after walking without hardly seeing anyone all of June, but you won't have to worry about that as you are ending in Burgos.

If I were you, I would pre-book SJPDP and Roncesvalles and then book as you go. Hope that helps.
Buen Camino!

PS We did not like having reservations the entire way - it was more inconvenient than convenient.

 

[MTtoCamino]

So I am not on here a lot but noticed that the Camino is apparently very busy at the moment. I plan on walking St. Jean to Burgos starting May 20, 2018 and honestly just assumed things wouldn't be too crazy and I wouldn't even need to bother with reservations, race for a bed, etc. I am now changing my tune a little and thinking otherwise. Has anyone walked mid to late May starting from St. Jean the last couple years and how was it crowd wise and any need for reservations and all that?

Thanks
Brian

You are doing what many European folks do & that is a quiet stretch since many start closer to Santiago.
Buen Camino
Keith

 

[Juspassinthru]

I walked from SJPP to Santiago this year departing May 19 and arriving in Santiago on June 22. I booked for Roncesvalles and Zubiri before I left the US. Generally before the Meseta (fewer accommodations) finding a place to stay was not a problem. After Sarria, it was a problem. We started booking a day ahead so we didn't have to worry about it but also so we didn't waste time in line at a municipal that may not open until 1300 or 1400. My calling ahead also forced me to use my Spanish, a plus! Whether you reserve or not is up to you and your tolerance for the unknown.