September/April for Pyrenees

[barryg]

Hello all!

I want to hike the Camino in either September or April. Which would be the better month for getting through the Pyrenees? Are the passes even open and if so which month would they be most likely to be open? Are the Albergues open in the mountains these times of year?

And the question about what to wear. I am planning to travel light. I wore sandals, shorts and T-shirts exclusively when I hiked from Pamplona to SDC last year, and I'm guessing that won't wash in the Pyrenees. I would want to wear boots and perhaps some Down clothing (or am I wrong?). My plan is to bring the extra footwear and clothing to SJPDP, then DHL them back (to the USA) in Pamplona. Does this sound like a good plan?

Thanks for any info!

Warmly,

Barry

 

[trecile]

September. My friend went in April, and had to take the Valcarlos route because of snow. She also needed to buy warmer clothes.

 

[lt56ny]

No problem with weather in September. April who knows!

 

[VAtoNC]

Hello all!

I want to hike the Camino in either September or April. Which would be the better month for getting through the Pyrenees? Are the passes even open and if so which month would they be most likely to be open? Are the Albergues open in the mountains these times of year?

And the question about what to wear. I am planning to travel light. I wore sandals, shorts and T-shirts exclusively when I hiked from Pamplona to SDC last year, and I'm guessing that won't wash in the Pyrenees. I would want to wear boots and perhaps some Down clothing (or am I wrong?). My plan is to bring the extra footwear and clothing to SJPDP, then DHL them back (to the USA) in Pamplona. Does this sound like a good plan?

Thanks for any info!

Warmly,

Barry

Hi Barry, I'm walking in September. I too have wondered about warm clothes, boots, sandals, etc. because it will get cooler as it gets into October. I'm wearing my boots for a variety of reasons that have nothing to do with temperature and I'm also taking my sandals. Otherwise, I figure if I need it (i.e., a down jacket) I'll get it there -- why lug a bunch of stuff you may not need? I understand that you can get things fairly inexpensively. That having been said I'm still taking a light fleece and long zip-off hiking pants. Buen Camino!

 

[Bonita]

I walked it the last week of September. Going over the mountains was beautiful. The sun was out and I was in heaven. I was in short sleeves the whole day. A few days later I saw a friend’s posting on Facebook. He was five days ahead of me and he had torrential rains. I didn’t even know he was walking the Camino. So there is no telling about the weather. I didn’t need a jacket. The only time it seemed to be cool was in the morning (later on), or when it rained, and then my poncho kept me warm. I had a hat and a light-weight scarf. I wish I had taken light-weight gloves for the morning. Days were pretty warm, too. My pack weighed 10 pounds and I wasn’t willing to add anything to it. As a guy, you can probably carry much more. Enjoy!

 

[Anniesantiago]

September.
You will not need boots - just trail runners.
No need for down - just light layers - you'll be stripping them off after 20 minutes even in the cold.
No need for special clothing over the Pyrenees - they're hills, not mountains.
Buen Camino