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Spring or Fall

capecorps

Member
I have decided to walk the Camino Frances a third time.

My first Camino was in the Spring of 2012. My second was in the Fall of 2014. Both times were spectacular and the seasons were accentuated by being outdoors all day of every day of the five weeks.

In 2012, I was walking into summer. It seemed to me that the land was coming alive as I passed: eager young buds bursting from gnarled ancient trees; hillsides first shyly then boldly resplendent with red, purple and yellow flowers; tender young shoots underfoot and each day warmer than the one before; blue skies and fat, lazy clouds overhead; the soft breeze richly laden with the promise of new loves, high adventure and brave beginnings; people emerging from winter fastness blinking in the bright sunshine, expansive and open; quickening blood flooding unused limbs.

In 2014, I was walking into winter. The land was ever more brown, grey and dying; the sullen sky overhead pregnant with freezing showers; each day colder than the one before; crushing spent foliage underfoot; people drawing their cloak close against the biting wind of the coming winter. Strangely, this blighted landscape, this blasted heath had its own appeal. A time of soft melancholy and serious reflection: of lost loves, of what might have been, of promises not kept and roads not taken. But also a time of bountiful harvests, a time of hope, the wall between heaven and earth paper thin; a time to fashion a new you, to boldly grasp the Spring six months hence.

Patience has never been one of my virtues, so leaning towards May 2017.

What is your favored season to walk the Camino?
 
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I favour which ever one is dry at the time I am walking. Loved walking in May twice... and then I went a third time and was cold and wet. So after that I went in the fall. :D
 
I love summer-to-fall with its blazing heat turning my black hair to blond, ques for beds, sunflowers in abundance, grapes ready for harvest, brown heat scorched earth resembling Los Angeles brownery, and ques for beds.
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
I have done two Caminos in the March April time. Both were enjoyable but I could not do the Napolean way which I want to. I plan to go this September and October--does anyone know it the Napolean way is open and when does it normally close in the fall. Thanks
 
...--does anyone know it the Napolean way is open and when does it normally close in the fall. Thanks

The Route Napoleon is closed from November to March inclusive BUT it can be closed anytime of the rest of the year for weather-safety reasons. Buen Camino, SY
 
The first edition came out in 2003 and has become the go-to-guide for many pilgrims over the years. It is shipping with a Pilgrim Passport (Credential) from the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
when does it normally close in the fall
I think they declared it closed at the end of November, but they probably would do it earlier if they have early snows. The Valcarlos Route is always open (once plowed). If you don't have a view when you turn around on the Valcarlos Route, you would not have one on the Napolean!! ;)

Valcarlos splits the distance to Roncesvalles much better than the Napolean, by the way, and no reservations are needed...
 
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