Starting 1st Camino next week (October 20)

[Lodo]

Hi All, after having followed this community for many month I finally signed-up.

I am starting my 1st Camino next week and have about one month time. I have read a lot about all the different routes and experiences, the pro's and con's of each route, and haven't fully made up my mind yet.

My main concern this time of the year is the weather, especially the rain. Don't mind much the fresher temperatures, but would rather not spend a month drenched in rain.

I would love to talk the Norte, starting in Bilbao, but am worried about the weather and am tending for the Frances from Pamplona. I was also looking at Portuguese from Porto, but it is a bit "too short" given the time off I want to take.

In the opinion of all the experts here, what is the most ideal path this time of the year?

And, bonus question: Will there be bag transfers this time of the year, especially in November? I know Correos from Sarria, but what about before that? Worst case is it possible to arrange a car/taxi bag transfer in some villages until the next stop?

Thanks a lot for all your help. Really looking forward to this journey and to contributing to the community afterwards!

 

[Tincatinker]

Hmm, time for a few deep breaths I think. You are starting your first Camino next week but you don’t know which one or from where? That’s ok. Well, it’s sort of ok if you’re a reasonably experienced backpacker and fairly self sufficient. In my opinion the Camino Frances from Pamplona will be the best supported route but the weather will be what the weather is, including rain.

Luggage transfer services will have shut down for the year. Local taxi drivers may be willing to take your luggage but they will expect to be paid per kilometer, there and back again. Probably better to keep your pack weight to what you can comfortably carry.

 

[trecile]

The Francés will have the best infrastructure services, especially in the winter.

 

[Lodo]

Hmm, time for a few deep breaths I think. You are starting your first Camino next week but you don’t know which one or from where? That’s ok. Well, it’s sort of ok if you’re a reasonably experienced backpacker and fairly self sufficient. In my opinion the Camino Frances from Pamplona will be the best supported route but the weather will be what the weather is, including rain.

Luggage transfer services will have shut down for the year. Local taxi drivers may be willing to take your luggage but they will expect to be paid per kilometer, there and back again. Probably better to keep your pack weight to what you can comfortably carry.

Yes, I am both experienced and self sufficient. I kept it on purpose open until now to have some flexibility based on weather, I have a flight to Madrid so am flexible to decide the which way to go from there.

Thanks for the hints. I understand as well that this time if the year Frances is probably the safest options given better infrastrutture/support along the way.

 

[KariannNor]

I will walk Frances (with a variation from Sarria or Ponferrada) starting in two weeks, probably from Burgos or Leon. I have learned here that several albergues (if that is where you are going to stay for the nights) close in October and that around 1 November a list is published here https://www.aprinca.com/alberguesinvierno/ of which are open in November.

Its possible to take shorter stages if the pack is too heavy, there are many options on Frances, study Gronze.com, thats the Bible.

I think rain is guaranteed, a little or a lot, that's nature.

 

[JDKOcean]

Suggest double socks, baby powder in all.

 

[bullingtonce]

Hi All, after having followed this community for many month I finally signed-up.

I am starting my 1st Camino next week and have about one month time. I have read a lot about all the different routes and experiences, the pro's and con's of each route, and haven't fully made up my mind yet.

My main concern this time of the year is the weather, especially the rain. Don't mind much the fresher temperatures, but would rather not spend a month drenched in rain.

I would love to talk the Norte, starting in Bilbao, but am worried about the weather and am tending for the Frances from Pamplona. I was also looking at Portuguese from Porto, but it is a bit "too short" given the time off I want to take.

In the opinion of all the experts here, what is the most ideal path this time of the year?

And, bonus question: Will there be bag transfers this time of the year, especially in November? I know Correos from Sarria, but what about before that? Worst case is it possible to arrange a car/taxi bag transfer in some villages until the next stop?

Thanks a lot for all your help. Really looking forward to this journey and to contributing to the community afterwards!

Meaning this the right way, I wish you rain and more rain. Because you are rather adverse to a lot of rain, if you do encounter a slew of rain this would, in fact, make this Camino significantly memorable to you; plus, you will encounter an experience from which you will grow. Chuck

 

[JerryStroebele]

I’m in Foncebedón tonight. The weather has been perfect except for one wild windstorm when a hurricane passed north of the Camino a couple of days ago. Rain is forecast for the next several days. We and you will be fine. Bag transport is a BIG BUSINESS right now but I don’t know for how much longer. Glad I don’t need it. He who travels lightly travels happily. Saint-Expery (sp?). Author of the Little Prince. KIA in the Free French Air Force in WWII. Buen Camino

 

[KariannNor]

I’m in Foncebedón tonight. The weather has been perfect except for one wild windstorm when a hurricane passed north of the Camino a couple of days ago. Rain is forecast for the next several days. We and you will be fine. Bag transport is a BIG BUSINESS right now but I don’t know for how much longer. Glad I don’t need it. He who travels lightly travels happily. Saint-Expery (sp?). Author of the Little Prince. KIA in the Free French Air Force in WWII. Buen Camino

Can I ask you how you experience the number of pilgrims where you are?
Buen Camino

 

[alexwalker]

In my opinion the Camino Frances from Pamplona will be the best supported route but the weather will be what the weather is, including rain.

I fully agree.

About weather: You never know. I once walked the last half of VdlP in April/May: It was supposed to be hot...: 21 days of rain, 2 days of snow at mountain passes(!), and sunshine the last day into Santiago... Crazy.

 

[JerryStroebele]

The Camino is not crowded here. We might see 40 or 50 a day mostly passing me because I walk slowly. The albergue s are not completo. Buen Camino

 

[Lodo]

Thanks to all. Will be starting in Pamplona from Oct. 20 and report along the way.

Buen Camino!