Sept/Oct routing

[JonathanCullis]

Hi all,

I want to do the walk from around Sept. 20 and expect to take a month or so, but am worried that I may end up with nowhere to sleep on the Camino Frances (from Roncevalles) due to the crowds. I would like to sleep in refugios or hostales. Can I count on always finding somewhere to sleep, or should I consider another route? My language skills are pretty minimal, so I'm a bit nervous about considering options that are too unfrequented.
My first decision is which route to take (I'll be flying to Madrid, so perhaps the Camino de Madrid a Santiago is a possibility), but I think the Camino Frances would be my preferred option if it's not going to be unbearably crowded.
Once I make this decision, other questions will doubtless follow, although most of the answers will already be here.

Jonathan

 

[sillydoll]

Jonathan, if you want to experience the Jacobean route par excellence then you should consider the Camino Frances. It won't be as crowded by the end of September as it will be between May and August but, being a Holy Year, it will be more crowded than usual.
I believe that everyone walking in this special Holy Year should embrace the whole experience - especially the crowds - after all, you are part of the reason why it is crowded this year!
The regional authorities are laying on extra accommodation in tent towns, sports halls and such: volunteers from around the world will be on the caminos to help pilgrims: some albergues will be offering free foot creams and first aid: there will be musical shows, theatre, art, photographic and histororical exhibitions.
This year is for celebration rather than meditation so enjoy it. It won't come around for another 11 years and who knows what can happen in that time. They might prove that dem bones in Compostela don't belong to Jimmy and then there won't be anymore Holy Years!