Sarria to Santiago- First week of March

tsher09 · Jan 24, 2019

Hi everyone, I am hoping to do the final stretch of the walk beginning February 28, finishing no later than the 5th of March. As a solo female walker and it being still technically winter, is this a good time to go, or would it be better to wait until April? I will be traveling and in Madrid prior to the walk and will need to possibly ship or store my regular luggage, then take just a backpack on the route. I'm physically prepared as a distance runner, but very early in the actual planning stages.. So, suggestions/helpful hints, how to get to the starting point from Madrid, safety, weather, etc. are all very welcome. The forum is great but overwhelming in sheer volume of information. Thanks in advance!

JuanaPow · Jan 24, 2019

I’m looking forward to reading replies from seasoned pilgrims since I’ll be just a week or so behind you. Was hoping to stay in private rooms, but having trouble finding places open in early March between Sarria and Palas de Reí.

scruffy1 · Jan 24, 2019

No politics mind you but the climate is a'changing so past experience may have little bearing today. In March it will be cold! Mid-Late April you will enjoy the first harbingers of Spring and warmer weather, wild flowers - there are wild primroses in Galicia and they ARE protected as well as pretty parks in villages and towns. Hostels? Some are open year round some only from Easter. After several no pilgrim days even those hostels listed as open may require some ingenuity to find the hospitilaire. Having said that Sarria-Santiago is a very popular route and a long as you remain flexible there should be no problems March or April. Rain? Did I mention rain? Going back to my opening sentence, do bring some good rain gear, you will probably need it.

Marbe2 · Jan 24, 2019

In early March be prepared for rain, cold wind and hope for good weather! Do have a rain system to protect yourself and think layered clothing. If staying in an albergue do bring a sleeping bag!

JuanaPow · Jan 24, 2019

Thanks . For me it was, “Grab the cheap airfare to Madrid and ask questions later” so i’ll Be packing warm layers and rain gear for this first Camino. An adventure!

Deleted member 3000 · Jan 24, 2019

Nothing between major towns will be open including bars.

Felipe · Jan 24, 2019

Weather, trekking conditions: I would add mud. Quite muddy paths, with little ponds here and there. So, wear proper footwear (I'd recommend boots, but the boots vs trekking shoes is an endless discussion here). On the other side, it is a mostly flat terrain, with some moderately hilly sections; not difficult at all.
April will be warmer, but with much more people in the Camino. So, it is a transaction.
There is a direct transportation option Madrid-Sarria with trains (see RENFE, trenhotel option included), or bus (ALSA company to Lugo, short hop to Sarria with MONBUS, many runs every day).
As for your luggage, you can send it to Casa Ivar, this forum's organizer.
Buen camino!

trecile · Jan 24, 2019

JuanaPow said:
I’m looking forward to reading replies from seasoned pilgrims since I’ll be just a week or so behind you. Was hoping to stay in private rooms, but having trouble finding places open in early March between Sarria and Palas de Reí.

There should be something available in Portomarin https://www.gronze.com/galicia/lugo/portomarin#albergues

tsher09 · Jan 24, 2019

Thanks all. Definitely nervous about the idea that “nothing is open” in early march, if not for anything but safety reasons. Do you have to make reservations ahead of time for places to sleep?

tsher09 · Jan 24, 2019

tsher09 said:
Thanks all. Definitely nervous about the idea that “nothing is open” in early march, if not for anything but safety reasons. Do you have to make reservations ahead of time for places to sleep?

Also, what is considered “cold” on average?

trecile · Jan 24, 2019

tsher09 said:
Also, what is considered “cold” on average?

There are a number of websites that will give you historical average temperatures. Here's one https://weatherspark.com/m/32965/3/Average-Weather-in-March-in-Sarria-Spain

tsher09 · Jan 24, 2019

trecile said:
There are a number of websites that will give you historical average temperatures. Here's one https://weatherspark.com/m/32965/3/Average-Weather-in-March-in-Sarria-Spain

Thanks!

Cdancer · Jan 24, 2019

We walked Frances fall of 2018 at Ponferrada we got the weather report for the last week of October and a snow storm was headed in early. We went to Decathalon ( sporting goods store, very cheap with great stuff ,also one in Madrid) and we got equiptment for cold and stormy weather. I had boots but my partner had walking shoes so I got her Gaiters which worked nicely and kept her feet dry. We had learned our lesson on rain gear and got rain pants and new ponchos with sleeves repeat sleeves.
We got through the mountains before the snow but the snow started in Somas, 6 to 8 inches overnite then snowed the next day for a few hours. The rest of the way, through Sarria was wet and cold but we were well prepared and it really was not much of a problem. I look back on it our time in the snow and in Galacia was the best of the trip. Galacia is beautiful but with snow and few people on the trail it was magical. you have no hard terrain on this portion so i would suggest you enjoy the quiet.
We had a little trouble with lodging as most hostels were closing but if you get on booking.com you will find rooms. There is a nice place to eat and stay in Labacolla a couple of hundred yards off the trail on a main road. you will have to look it up I dont remember the name and a little pricey but we considered it a treat as it was our last night on the trail.
Also i was very disappointed coming into Santiago with all the old tennis shoes hung from trees and trash,
you would get big karma points to take a trash bag and help clean it up

Good luck
Chuck

tsher09 · Jan 25, 2019

Cdancer said:
We walked Frances fall of 2018 at Ponferrada we got the weather report for the last week of October and a snow storm was headed in early. We went to Decathalon ( sporting goods store, very cheap with great stuff ,also one in Madrid) and we got equiptment for cold and stormy weather. I had boots but my partner had walking shoes so I got her Gaiters which worked nicely and kept her feet dry. We had learned our lesson on rain gear and got rain pants and new ponchos with sleeves repeat sleeves.
We got through the mountains before the snow but the snow started in Somas, 6 to 8 inches overnite then snowed the next day for a few hours. The rest of the way, through Sarria was wet and cold but we were well prepared and it really was not much of a problem. I look back on it our time in the snow and in Galacia was the best of the trip. Galacia is beautiful but with snow and few people on the trail it was magical. you have no hard terrain on this portion so i would suggest you enjoy the quiet.
We had a little trouble with lodging as most hostels were closing but if you get on booking.com you will find rooms. There is a nice place to eat and stay in Labacolla a couple of hundred yards off the trail on a main road. you will have to look it up I dont remember the name and a little pricey but we considered it a treat as it was our last night on the trail.
Also i was very disappointed coming into Santiago with all the old tennis shoes hung from trees and trash,
you would get big karma points to take a trash bag and help clean it up

Good luck
Chuck

Thanks so much! How was the terrain from Sarria to the finish? Did you primarily stay in hostels or bnbs? Thanks again!

Cdancer · Feb 16, 2019

probably one of the more beautiful parts,a few hills but no real mountains I would describe the walk during that part as laid back. My partner and I use a variety of venues but we alway had a private room with a bath or shared bath. mostly in private hostels and pensions.

AliHoff · Nov 7, 2021

tsher09 said:
Hi everyone, I am hoping to do the final stretch of the walk beginning February 28, finishing no later than the 5th of March. As a solo female walker and it being still technically winter, is this a good time to go, or would it be better to wait until April? I will be traveling and in Madrid prior to the walk and will need to possibly ship or store my regular luggage, then take just a backpack on the route. I'm physically prepared as a distance runner, but very early in the actual planning stages.. So, suggestions/helpful hints, how to get to the starting point from Madrid, safety, weather, etc. are all very welcome. The forum is great but overwhelming in sheer volume of information. Thanks in advance!

Hi there, I know this is a very old post...but I am wondering...how was your trip? How did you find the weather and walking solo?

Kanga · Nov 7, 2021

@AliHoff if it is of help to you, we have a number of threads that may be relevant -

Albergues on the Camino Frances open in winter
Camino in winter
Winter walking
Spring 2022

By entering the search term "March" I also found a number of members who have walked then, and their posts might be helpful.

@Bill905
@SabineP
@Theatregal

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