Number of Pilgrims in April and May

[hieudovan]

I have found this forum to be very useful. I've started planning for my walk, including ordering a hyperlight backpack and lightweight waterproof hiking boots. My walking poles have already arrived : )

As Easter will fall on April 8 and May 1 is a holiday, I've narrowed down the beginning of my walk from SJPP to April 15-23 or May 7-14 to avoid crowds. Any thoughts about these dates (or other April & May dates) to start the camino?

Peace,

Hieu

 

[sillydoll]

Some stats from the Pilgrim's Office in St Jean:

For the period 2004-2010, it was in May 2008 that the highest monthly record was recorded with 6841 pilgrims, representing a daily average of 220!

The graph below, in attendance weekly in 2010, shows 2 periods of high season, better than the picture of monthly visits.
One - end of April to early June; The 2nd period of high season is from early August to late September.

For 2011:
While in the first 8 weeks of the year, ie until the end of February, there were an average of 37 pilgrims a week, there was an explosion in attendance between May 2 and June 8 with a weekly average of 1700, an average of more than 240 p. a day.

More stats here:

http://www.aucoeurduchemin.org/spip/-ST ... 2010-.html

 

[Jochen_Schmidtke]

Re: Pilgrimage in April and May is a good idea

Hello.
See my statistic.
The numbers are taken from the official statistic site of the Saint James Brotherhood at Santiago.
These are the numbers of compostelas given to the pilgrims at the pilgrins office.
You see the peak of pilgrims arrival at Santiago is between July and September. At this time there is a real stampede on the etappe from Saría to Santiago.
Buen Camino
Jochen

 

[sillydoll]

It is good to see stats of pilgrims who are starting (or passing through) St Jean and then those who have finished in Santiago.
Many people start in St Jean but only walk a couple of weeks. I had two people with me in September who started in St Jean and finsihed in Logroño.
The Camino is always busier in the first week or 10 days and the last week or ten days.

 

[hieudovan]

Re: Pilgrimage in April and May is a good idea

Hello.
See my statistic.
The numbers are taken from the official statistic site of the Saint James Brotherhood at Santiago.
These are the numbers of compostelas given to the pilgrims at the pilgrins office.
You see the peak of pilgrims arrival at Santiago is between July and September. At this time there is a real stampede on the etappe from Saría to Santiago.
Buen Camino
Jochen

Thanks to sillydoll and Jochen Schmidtke for the stats. From the graphs, it looks like late March or early April would be even less crowded for me to start at SJPP. How's the weather like to start the camino late March and early April? Still cold and snow?
Peace,
Hieu

 

[hieudovan]

Re: Pilgrimage in April and May is a good idea

Hello.
See my statistic.
The numbers are taken from the official statistic site of the Saint James Brotherhood at Santiago.
These are the numbers of compostelas given to the pilgrims at the pilgrins office.
You see the peak of pilgrims arrival at Santiago is between July and September. At this time there is a real stampede on the etappe from Saría to Santiago.
Buen Camino
Jochen

Thanks to sillydoll and Jochen Schmidtke for the stats. From the graphs, it looks like late March or early April would be even less crowded for me to start at SJPP. How's the weather like to start the camino late March and early April? Still cold and snow?
Peace,
Hieu

I finally took the plunge, mainly due to the low airfare being offered. Leaving at the end of March is much cheaper than April or May. So I'll be getting on the plane in Sacramento, California on March 28 and arriving in Madrid the following day. I plan to start walking from SJPDP April 1 and stopping at Orisson the first day as advised by many of you. I am 63 y/o so I'd like to make sure I have a good start. I've bought my backpack, boots, John Brierley's 2012 guide, poles etc... I'll be in training in February as my right Achilles tendon is still inflamed from my running. I have given myself 45 days to make it to Finisterre and Muxia. No matter how far I will have walked, I will need to be on the plane at the Madrid airport May 20. I'm excited in preparing for and eventually walking the Camino. This forum has been very helpful in providing information for me to prepare for the Camino. Thanks again. Happy Holidays to one and all. -Hieu