For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
There are many smartphone apps like Camino Pilgrim that have a listing of all albergues and the months they are open; if I recall correctly http://santiago.forwalk.org also has the same information but it appears to be down right now. I'm departing Leon on March 5 and I know that there are some albergues open either year round or starting in march - I've planned my stops accordingly.
Early March is a good time to be on the Camino, you will experience the unfolding Spanish spring and all its glory of wildflowers, sprouting vineyards, wheat growing higher by the day, public gardens and a gradual warming of the temperature plus as an additional joy, you will celebrate Easter on the Camino. You might camp out but do realize that night temperatures may drop to Zero C requiring a heavier sleeping bag and there is a rain factor. Some villages provide a Camino-side rest area usually a cleared grassy area often with a picnic table and sometimes running water and it is possible to sleep there-however during busy periods on the Camino there may be a lot of trash more or less collected there and no toilet facilities beyond a well used nearby tree.. Most other places would require asking permission from the land owner, Spanish farmers do get up early so don't try and get around that one, how is your Spanish? As to albergues, March/April is my favorite time there and I never experienced any problems finding a place to lay my head.
Snow...welcome to the Forum and the Class of 2015!
You have indicated a SJPDP start; what is your timetable? How long will you be on Camino?
What does your pack weigh? A tent and ground cloth/mat and 0 degree C sleeping bag can add quite a bit of weight.
Temps can fluctuate quite a bit between SJPDP and Roncesvalles due to the extreme change in altitude 165m to 1430m.
Here is a good site that shows key info, such as: recommended stages/distance per stage, elevation changes, albergues (open/closed), etc. If opened in Google...it can be translated from Spanish to English.
All that said, once you purchase your ticket...the Camino takes over
Keep asking questions and you will be well prepared.
Buen Camino,
Arn
Snows...the Camino isn't your normal hike. I walked the Appalachian Trail in 96'. 2,164 miles end to end. There were few facilities and you had to carry about 2.5 lbs of food per day and be prepared to cook and carry things you "might" need.
I walked my first CF in 2008 from SJPDP with the same attitude about my ability and pack weight. By day 5 after pressing on when only slightly hurt...I fell and became very hurt.
You can replenish any thing you think you might need in the towns you will pass thru.
If your pack weighs more than you have indicated (12-15) excluding water...try to make the 12 kg mark.
Buen Camino,
Arn
Many will be closed, so check camino websites before leaving, or call ahead each day to verify what is open. In towns with more than one albergue, it is very likely that one will be open.wondering if the albergues are open also will there be other people on the trail?
Hi and welcome to the forum also from me, Snowball!
There is really no need to bring a tent to the Camino! Wild camping is forbidden in Spain, with a few exceptions that don't really apply to the CF. Plus you will often have difficulties to find a landowner to ask permission from. Also in March there is no need to worry about finding a bed as most albergues will be open and the 'crowds' have not yet arrived. Also the albergues are the places where you might other pilgrims, eat with them, laugh with them.
15kg, even all included, is too much, believe me. Think of the Camino as a 'from village to village' hike NOT as a wilderness hike! The longest 'without nothing' stretch is 16 km, but typically you will pass a village every 5-8km. 8kg even at that time of the year is more than plenty. If you put your packing list up here we give you feedback and tell you what you don't need on the CF.
Buen Camino! SY
Many will be closed, so check camino websites before leaving, or call ahead each day to verify what is open. In towns with more than one albergue, it is very likely that one will be open.
http://www.gronze.com/camino-de-santiago/caminos/guia-del-camino-frances
http://www.mundicamino.com/rutas.cfm?id=15
http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/los-caminos-de-santiago/frances/
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?