New - Hoping to start Camino Frances mid-Sept 2021

[stephenmoles]

Hi all,

My names is Stephen - First time for the Camino and currently planning for the Camino Frances mid-September 2021 on my own all things going to plan. Getting familiar with the site, but if anyone would have any advice or directions to information on the below, that would be greatly appreciated.

1. Aim is to start around September 10th or the week after, and aim for a finish around October 8th or after. I've heard September can be busy normally - Is this normally the case?

2. I've seen the sites Gronze & Buen Camino for good checking accommodation. Would I be right in saying best to book ahead this year, given the route/time of year, and Covid limitations? Would these sites have the most up to date info for open albergues?

3. Looking to start in SJDP as I imagine going through the Pyrenees would be lovely, but wondering if starting in Navarra would make sense in terms of Covid/moving between two countries?

Apologies if there are already specific up to date threads for this - Getting used to the site! But any feedback is appreciated.

- Stephen

 

[Andrew2019]

Hello, start in SJPP because when you get to Santiago or world's end your feel much better knowing you have walked every step of the way like a true pilgrim. Through all the suffering and pain and discomfort no trains buses or taxis.

 

[trecile]

2. I've seen the sites Gronze & Buen Camino for good checking accommodation. Would I be right in saying best to book ahead this year, given the route/time of year, and Covid limitations? Would these sites have the most up to date info for open albergues?

Just to clarify - Gronze.com is a website with lots of great information, especially about accommodations on the Camino. It's all in Spanish, but if you use the Chrome browser it will automatically translate to your preferred language. Buen Camino is an app which is also great, and has offline gps capability. There are other apps that are similar, such as Wise Pilgrim and Camino Ninja. I really like the stage planning feature of the Buen Camino app, but I refer to the others too.

 

[zenofmatthew]

I’ll be starting halfway in at the beginning of October. Hope to see you out there. First timer too.

 

[Montana Girl]

I'm planning my first Camino around the same time. I don't have any advice but maybe our trails will cross.

Happy trails and buen Camino!

 

[John Ferguson]

My Wife and I walked from SJPP in May 2015. Both of us were first timers. Took us 37 days to Santiago. and that was with two rest days included. It was an amazing experience and very rewarding on so many levels. Have Faith, you'll be fine. Enjoy.

 

[Tim Floyd]

Same time of the year we walked in 2017. It was busy, but just enough to make it interesting but not so much that we could not find accommodation. We had three days of rain - the first three days - then it never rained a drop the rest of the Camino. I agree with others, unless prohibited I would suggest you start in SJPD. The experience of the town and the climb crossing into Spain is just a great experience I would hate for you to miss. It is just an amazing way to start. Regarding reservations, I cannot say related to Covid and such, but I would tell you the same thing I tell anyone making the Camino - don't let planning or reservations rob you of being spontaneous and taking things as they come. I used the apps to find lodging each day, but did not reserve many days in advance. We wanted to be able to stay in a place, go slower if we wanted to, discover new things. Embrace a level of anxiety and let the Camino provide. Have an amazing time!

 

[tonya w]

Hi all,

My names is Stephen - First time for the Camino and currently planning for the Camino Frances mid-September 2021 on my own all things going to plan. Getting familiar with the site, but if anyone would have any advice or directions to information on the below, that would be greatly appreciated.

1. Aim is to start around September 10th or the week after, and aim for a finish around October 8th or after. I've heard September can be busy normally - Is this normally the case?

2. I've seen the sites Gronze & Buen Camino for good checking accommodation. Would I be right in saying best to book ahead this year, given the route/time of year, and Covid limitations? Would these sites have the most up to date info for open albergues?

3. Looking to start in SJDP as I imagine going through the Pyrenees would be lovely, but wondering if starting in Navarra would make sense in terms of Covid/moving between two countries?

Apologies if there are already specific up to date threads for this - Getting used to the site! But any feedback is appreciated.

- Stephen

Good Luck to you. I start 9/23. See you on the Camino

 

[Happyinharrogate]

Hi Stephen. I’m on it now currently in León. Couple of things there was no difficulty flying into France and then crossing over to Spain and as others have said you shouldn’t miss the Pyrenees. Re accommodation it’s the number 1 topic of conversation/ stress for everyone on the walk just now, as everyone is booking ahead and Albergues are still working on reduced capacity and many municipal ones closed. However I have heard this is being relaxed soon and whilst it’s pretty busy here just now on the trail when you are starting should be quieter so my feeling is you wouldn’t have the same pressures to pre book

 

[tonya w]

Hi Stephen. I’m on it now currently in León. Couple of things there was no difficulty flying into France and then crossing over to Spain and as others have said you shouldn’t miss the Pyrenees. Re accommodation it’s the number 1 topic of conversation/ stress for everyone on the walk just now, as everyone is booking ahead and Albergues are still working on reduced capacity and many municipal ones closed. However I have heard this is being relaxed soon and whilst it’s pretty busy here just now on the trail when you are starting should be quieter so my feeling is you wouldn’t have the same pressures to pre book

Hello all. At the airport and they are asking for a Visa to get into France. I am US citizen, QR EU code, plenty of time left before passport expires. Any suggestions? I have one more flight until I head for Paris. American let me board my flight from Hilton head to JFK. Flying American the entire way.