Starting in Caceres in June

[AElizabeth27]

Greetings to all,

I apologize as I realize similar topics regarding weather have been discussed quite extensively previously on this forum.

Most guides/advice says to avoid starting Via de la Plata in July/August, and I am wondering if anyone has any advice regarding starting at the beginning of June. Due to time constraints, I also plan on starting in Caceres or possibly even Salamanca. Does this seems like a feasible plan or is the heat already prohibitively oppressive by that time of year? For a bit of context, I am coming from New Orleans, so I think just about anything might seem relatively cool, but I don't pretend to want to hike in 38 degree weather with a backpack.

Thank you in advance for your responses and I would greatly appreciate any advice you care to share with a first-time pilgrim.

Best,

AElizabeth27

 

[alexwalker]

Beginning of June does not seem like the worst of plans. I believe that July and August are the "killer" months for us pilgrims on the VdlP. So just plan ahead, IMHO. Ahh: And buen camino!

 

[LTfit]

Hi AElizabeth27,

Starting in Salamanca would be a piece of cake and in Cáceres you would have already avoided Andalucia and a portion of Extremadura so I would say go for it! And as to the heat I can only speak about starting in Sevilla beginning July and that is a whole other story!

Buen Camino,
LT

 

[Stephen Nicholls]

Hi Elizabeth!
The beginning of June will be hot - but not unbearably so. And you can start your walks early morning [you have to be out of the albergue by 8 a.m. anyway]. Some peregrinos start walking at 6 a.m. to enjoy the cool. If you can get 4 hours of walking in before the main heat of the day, that's probably 16 kms.
Take sun blocker - and I mean blocker. Wear a hat. Take some long trousers in case the backs of your legs get burned.
I hope to be finishing the VdlP by May 28th, and I know it'll be quite hot, even then - but as an Englishman I look forward to the warmth!!
Buen camino!
Stephen
http://www.calig.co.uk/camino_de_santiago.htm

 

[AElizabeth27]

Thanks so much Alex, LT, and Stephen. I will continue with my plans to walk during June. I'm very excited for this adventure, and I appreciate your help in my preparations.

Best,

AElizabeth

 

[Oceanroc7]

Hi AElizabeth,

I am starting the Camino DlP from Zamora in August - so am also thinking it will be rather warm!

I did the first part (from Seville to Merida) in April this year and got hopelessly hooked. However the weather in April was pretty chilly and I am quite looking forward to some August heat.

You will be ahead of me I should think but I will look out for your tracks!
If you need kit lists etc let me know as I have done this kind of thing before (but not in august!)
I am half convinced I am a lunatic.

Regards,
Rachel

 

[mmm042]

Go for it, but remember to take a lot of water. That's the main thing. And sunblock, as previously mentioned. I walked the VDLP last March, and didn't think to take sunscreen, as it was about 30 degrees F. back home when I left. One day the sun was so warm and strong (not that hot, but warm and strong) that I burned the backs of my calves. Of course it was while I was on a 20-mile segment with no towns in between. Luckily it had rained a lot in the days beforehand, so I found a puddle of mud and caked it along the backs of my legs to prevent further burns! Sunblock would have been better.

Melanie