Oct/Nov

[gini007]

Hi - Planning my first Camino starting SJPP Oct 10 to whenever I arrive in Finisterre and wondering about laundry - seems like daylight time, temps and potential for rain will make it hard for air drying and I'm coming from tropical weather so hard to conceive while planning. Have lots of merino wool layers so can do less laundry without too much "eau de thru hike" if needed. Appreciate any input on this or anything else I need to be thinking about that is a little different that time of year. Gracias!

 

[J Willhaus]

Most albergues have a place wash clothes by hand and dry them. Many now have washers and dryers now, too and in bigger towns you'll find laundromats if you arevstaying in hotels without pilgrim facilities. Once you get into Galicia, the washers and dryers are generally large,quick, and cheap compared to the rest of the Camino.(3 euros per load with soap included).

My merino was always dry by morning this winter just air drying.

 

[Former member 104756]

Hi @gini007 I wish you well and think it’s a great time to walk, albeit it with a few extra challenges. We often walk on paths with fewer facilities. One little trick my husband taught me is to put some of those ‘not quite dry’ things in with you for the night in your sleeping bag or under the covers, and let body heat work its magic.

 

[gini007]

Most albergues have a place wash clothes by hand and dry them. Many now have washers and dryers now, too and in bigger towns you'll find laundromats if you arevstaying in hotels without pilgrim facilities. Once you get into Galicia, the washers and dryers are generally large,quick, and cheap compared to the rest of the Camino.(3 euros per load with soap included).

My merino was always dry by morning this winter just air drying.

Thank you - was unsure on the machine availability in the albergues - helpful thanks!

 

[gini007]

Hi @gini007 I wish you well and think it’s a great time to walk, albeit it with a few extra challenges. We often walk on paths with fewer facilities. One little trick my husband taught me is to put some of those ‘not quite dry’ things in with you for the night in your sleeping bag or under the covers, and let body heat work its magic.

Thank you for the well wishes - I am really looking forward to enjoying the weather (all of of it- whatever it brings!) and hopefully little less crowding but still having some company- hopefully I have hit the mark on timing. I considered a winter Camino but figured I would save that for a second or third one. Appreciate the tip on the clothes too!

 

[lt56ny]

Hi - Planning my first Camino starting SJPP Oct 10 to whenever I arrive in Finisterre and wondering about laundry - seems like daylight time, temps and potential for rain will make it hard for air drying and I'm coming from tropical weather so hard to conceive while planning. Have lots of merino wool layers so can do less laundry without too much "eau de thru hike" if needed. Appreciate any input on this or anything else I need to be thinking about that is a little different that time of year. Gracias!

I have walked in winter and when I did not wash my clothes because I knew they would not dry in time i really didn't "sweat it" too much. Merino and some of the synthetic fabrics do not smell after a few wearings. If that is not a problem for you then go and don't worry. Everything works out and you will sure figure out what works for you and what you can handle pretty quickly.

 

[stevelm1]

I have walked two caminos in Sep-Nov time frames. Galatia will be getting cold and wet by then, but still beautiful.

 

[Pafayac]

I walked from León to Santiago by the end of October, beginning of November: 12 days waking, 12 days raining.
Galicia is usually wet, but in fall it is worst. If you can change your mind about starting date, choose another date.
Otherwise, do remember that from the 1st of November you should use this list instead of Gronze:

Pagina nueva 1

Please, check the day before that the hospitalero will be there on your arrival time.
Most of albergues have dryers, but do not forget to bring some clothes which can be dried quickly, a good rain poncho, without forgetting a piece of courage.

 

[JerryStroebele]

Bring or buy an umbrella and lightweight gaiters. Buen Camino

 

[gini007]

I have walked two caminos in Sep-Nov time frames. Galatia will be getting cold and wet by then, but still beautiful.

Thanks - I like the cold for being outdoors - and already excited

 

[gini007]

I walked from León to Santiago by the end of October, beginning of November: 12 days waking, 12 days raining.
Galicia is usually wet, but in fall it is worst. If you can change your mind about starting date, choose another date.
Otherwise, do remember that from the 1st of November you should use this list instead of Gronze:

Pagina nueva 1

Please, check the day before that the hospitalero will be there on your arrival time.
Most of albergues have dryers, but do not forget to bring some clothes which can be dried quickly, a good rain poncho, without forgetting a piece of courage.

I'll pack my courage and extra socks! Also planning on the Altus Poncho/Jacket. Thank you for the tip on the albergues too - didn't know there was a list - so thats really helpful.

 

[dreaming]

I walked CF last October, two weeks of sun and two weeks of solid rain. Washers and dryers were expensive. 5 euro each in a lot of places. Good idea to bring a washing bag to place your dirty clothes in making it easier to share washing machine and dryer with other pilgrims and share the cost.

 

[gini007]

I walked CF last October, two weeks of sun and two weeks of solid rain. Washers and dryers were expensive. 5 euro each in a lot of places. Good idea to bring a washing bag to place your dirty clothes in making it easier to share washing machine and dryer with other pilgrims and share the cost.

Oh that’s a great idea with nominal weight added- Thanks !

 

[mspath]

gini007,

Autumn is a great time to walk with generally golden days and cool nights. Although during past years albergues on the CF started to close mid October there was always some place open. The hospitaleros usually know what was open on the next section. Walking in late autumn I usually stayed in municipal albergues and never had a reservation until the final days in Santiago.

However you must be prepared for colder weather. Many who walk in late autumn wear and carry lightweight but warm layers which can easily be added or removed while walking. Here are a kit list and tips from the viewpoint of a woman who often walked in late autumn/winter.

Happy planning and Buen camino!

 

[gini007]

gini007,

Autumn is a great time to walk with generally golden days and cool nights. Although during past years albergues on the CF started to close mid October there was always some place open. The hospitaleros usually know what was open on the next section. Walking in late autumn I usually stayed in municipal albergues and never had a reservation until the final days in Santiago.

Howwver you must be prepared for colder weather. Many who walk in late autumn wear and carry lightweight but warm layers which can easily be added or removed while walking. Here are a kit list and tips from the viewpoint of a woman who often walked in late autumn/winter.

Happy planning and Buen camino!

Thanks so much for your response. I really enjoy cold weather and have good gear for it (despite living in south Florida)- so am really looking forward to it for that and so many other reasons. I also wanted to have the more “days of old” experience with perhaps less people and definitely do not want to reserve much of anything in advance- so picked the time of year with that in mind as well. Really appreciate your experience (and the kit list!) - settles my mind that this is right when I should be going. Gracias para todo!

 

[Paulo Arantes]

Hi - Planning my first Camino starting SJPP Oct 10 to whenever I arrive in Finisterre and wondering about laundry - seems like daylight time, temps and potential for rain will make it hard for air drying and I'm coming from tropical weather so hard to conceive while planning. Have lots of merino wool layers so can do less laundry without too much "eau de thru hike" if needed. Appreciate any input on this or anything else I need to be thinking about that is a little different that time of year. Gracias!

Hi Gini,
Good to hear from someone that will also be on the camino this time of the year.
I'll be there too, starting a little later thank you. Planning on start walking from Pamplona on Oct 17th.
In 2017 I did the Camino Frances in April and was incredible, this time I'm planning for a little cold weather and rain. Just like you, I like cold weather although I'm from Brazil.
Have a great camino and if you need anything I'll be nearby.
Buen camino!

 

[gini007]

Hi Gini,
Good to hear from someone that will also be on the camino this time of the year.
I'll be there too, starting a little later thank you. Planning on start walking from Pamplona on Oct 17th.
In 2017 I did the Camino Frances in April and was incredible, this time I'm planning for a little cold weather and rain. Just like you, I like cold weather although I'm from Brazil.
Have a great camino and if you need anything I'll be nearby.
Buen camino!

I was wondering if there were any other October people out there. Can't wait! Buen Camino to you as well!

 

[Paulo Arantes]

I was wondering if there were any other October people out there. Can't wait! Buen Camino to you as well!

Hi Gini, came here to let you know that I'm thinking about changing my dates and camino.
I'm thinking about doing the Camino Viejo / Camino Olvidado starting from Pamplona and as these are two caminos less walked, I'll start a little sooner, on October 2nd.

 

[Seger]

Hi - Planning my first Camino starting SJPP Oct 10 to whenever I arrive in Finisterre and wondering about laundry - seems like daylight time, temps and potential for rain will make it hard for air drying and I'm coming from tropical weather so hard to conceive while planning. Have lots of merino wool layers so can do less laundry without too much "eau de thru hike" if needed. Appreciate any input on this or anything else I need to be thinking about that is a little different that time of year. Gracias!

I started in SJPP last year on Oct 5 and was in Santiago on the 9th of November. The weather from Leon to Santiago was nasty. The next time I will bring an extra pair of insoles for my shoes. The shoes dried by the morning but sometimes the insoles were still damp. Wet feet was the biggest issue for me as it rained constantly the last 2 weeks. Laundry was usually available where I stayed which was a relief as long pants were covered in dirt and mud. Extra pair of underwear and socks were a big plus too and saved doing laundry everyday. I plan on starting a week earlier in 2025 as it was noticeable after the end of October that there were fewer places available to stay. Good luck! You will do fine. There is not a day since I got home that I don't look back on my time spent on the Camino.

 

[gini007]

Hi Gini, came here to let you know that I'm thinking about changing my dates and camino.
I'm thinking about doing the Camino Viejo / Camino Olvidado starting from Pamplona and as these are two caminos less walked, I'll start a little sooner, on October 2nd.

Wish you a Buen Camino!

 

[gini007]

I started in SJPP last year on Oct 5 and was in Santiago on the 9th of November. The weather from Leon to Santiago was nasty. The next time I will bring an extra pair of insoles for my shoes. The shoes dried by the morning but sometimes the insoles were still damp. Wet feet was the biggest issue for me as it rained constantly the last 2 weeks. Laundry was usually available where I stayed which was a relief as long pants were covered in dirt and mud. Extra pair of underwear and socks were a big plus too and saved doing laundry everyday. I plan on starting a week earlier in 2025 as it was noticeable after the end of October that there were fewer places available to stay. Good luck! You will do fine. There is not a day since I got home that I don't look back on my time spent on the Camino.

Thank you for that info. I have been debating pushing up my start date to very tail end of September/ First week of Oct. as I have some flexibility but would need to rearrange some logistics - Sounds like you would endorse that idea? I planned for later in the season to get the cooler fall weather and avoid some of the high season crowd, but also don't want to miss the community aspect at all- Perhaps have under estimated the significance of the albergue seasonal closures and the amount of rain in Galicia (I don't mind it at all- but deluges for days might be more than I expected and require some thought on shifting shoes too) appreciate any thoughts on that based on your experience that time of year as well. I do also completely appreciate that weather is totally unpredictable but if I can thread the needle on timing to get the best chance of better weather, I'd certainly consider shifting plans. Gracias!