@movinmaggie -
Here's a link that gives you the basic times of daylight for Burgos - let's say 10 days to 2 weeks into your Camino. You can probably find Leon at this site as well. I walked Late September through early November and this chart is consistent with my experience.
http://www.gaisma.com/en/location/burgos.html
@Rombuk -
There is no "need" to get out early if that is your concern. The crowds will have backed off and if you stay away from the "
Brierley stages" you should have little problem with finding a bed.
Personally, I liked to get out early (caveats follow!) just because: 1) that is just my normal schedule and 2) often, the amount of coughing/snoring in the albergues between 4:30 and 5:30 am informed me that I might as well make some time since I was not getting any rest.
Now, here's the caveats if you wish to walk out early -
1. Make sure that the place you are staying allows for a quiet exit in the morning. By which I mean, a common area away from the beds so you can tie boots, adjust your pack and grab your stick(s) on the way out the door.
2. Make sure your pack is "ready to go" the night before - - avoid any adjustment to bag contents or organization at your bed.
3. Get a headlamp with a "red lamp" mode. It allows one limited visibility to organize what needs done (in step 2) in the dark without disturbing others.
My experience with this? Most people thought I had been "disappeared" in the night as they never heard me leave. (And it is not as though I am a graceful creature.
)
And some common-sense advice -
a) Walking with only a headlamp in deep forest means going VERY slow and identifying each footfall's placement. You won't make time but the experiences can be magical. The tree-roots are quite well hidden and could end your Camino due to a twisted ankle (or worse) or a bad fall. (Edit: This is not a common problem IMHO. I was thinking particularly of Roncevalles to Zubiri and much of Galicia from O Cebreiro to SdC.)
b) I would repeat the above for areas of the Way with steep drop-offs such as Acebo to Molinaseca and La Escuela to Cebreiro.
Worst cities to get out of in the dark (IMHO) -
Pamplona, Santo Domingo de la Calzada, Burgos and Ponferrada
I hope that helps!
B