securing a bed

[buena!]

i will be starting the camino about may 10. is this well enough into the high season that i will have to worry about finding a bed? or have to stop at 2pm to ensure i have one?

can anyone who went in may last year tell me of their experiences with this? does anyone know how busy camino frances has been this year? frankly i don't think i want to worry about that and perhaps this could/would sway me towards another route...

i'm starting to dream about the camino. it appears the journey has already begun...

 

[Deleted member 397]

The CSJ itself recommends other routes-such as the VDLP. I forsee a time in the not too distant future when certain months of the year will be impossible-assuming that that time has not already arrived. The main consideration of pilgrims in july august seems to be in findng a bed by early afternoon. On the VDLP you will have no such problems.

 

[bjorgts]

A bed om Via de la Plata

I have understood, Omar, that when you went VdlP, you were almost alone. Since some of us have other experiences, I think it is wise to tell here. We went from Sevilla to Caceres from 24.4 to 9.5 last year, and we were not alone!! Several places the albergues were full. Just to fill in the picture. The french route I only know from last fuorteen days of April, and then there have been no problems as late as 2005, but things are developing, so the realy good answers must come from somebody walking in May last year.

 

[spursfan]

I walked from SJPP to Santiago last year, arriving on May 11th, and at 2pm you were much more likely to be the first at the refuge than the last - at some refuges I was the first arrival around 4pm and only in a few places after 6pm should you worry about stopping to find a bed

 

[Jerome74]

Yes, but May/June has to be less crowded than July/August I think? Or hope ...

I'll be starting in mid-May but I'll take a camping mat anyway. Just to be sure

 

[Dawn of a new Day]

i went may june last year. i preferred to walk EARLY morning , cover about 28kmn and stop around 2, that was a guarantee to get a place. some places don't open till 1pm or 3pm. i then booked in, had a shower, washed the clothes and had a pilgrims meal. i preferred a good meal during the day than at 8pm. the meals are incredible. i don't think you need a mat, alot of extra weight. I would NOT consider doing this hike in july or August. THe meseta in May Is AMAZING, certainly not to be missed.
dawn