Thinking about walking Porto - Santiago this Dec/Jan 2019

[Alan]

Hi All!

I am a veteran pilgrim, however I've never walked anywhere in winter.

I am tempted to walk from Porto starting around 12/28/19 and walking - slowly at first - towards Santiago. I would likely need very short days (15km?) for the first two or three days of walking.

Would anyone know what type of weather I should expect at this time of year?

Also, would there be many albergues or hostels/pensiones along the Camin(h)o open during this time? I understand that the period just after Christmas through early January is likely the least populated time to visit the Camino.

Thank you for your help!
Alan

 

[roving_rufus]

I walked at beginning of January last year on coastal to caminha then along river to Valenca and on to sdec. I stayed albergues and a fair number of them were open though there was variety in heating and hot water. But some other accommodation was closed for the season. Gronze was useful to find what was open all year though there are no guarantees https://www.gronze.com/camino-portugues-costa#localidad-40
I got lucky with the weather with settled weather of sunshine but cold at night and ice/frost in morning But rain and wind are likely too.
As for a few short days you could walk out the river from Porto to matosinhos, then LaBruge (think albergue is open all year) then onto vila do conde or povoa-de-varzim.

 

[annandkerith]

Hi All!

I am a veteran pilgrim, however I've never walked anywhere in winter.

I am tempted to walk from Porto starting around 12/28/19 and walking - slowly at first - towards Santiago. I would likely need very short days (15km?) for the first two or three days of walking.

Would anyone know what type of weather I should expect at this time of year?

Also, would there be many albergues or hostels/pensiones along the Camin(h)o open during this time? I understand that the period just after Christmas through early January is likely the least populated time to visit the Camino.

Thank you for your help!
Alan

Hello bAlan,
I walked the Portuguese in Jan. 2011. No oproblems, 1 day of rain, no trouble finding albergues except for 1 monastery closed. a beautiful walk, not hard. enjoy. Ann

 

[Aurigny]

I did this in January 2017, and wrote about it here.

 

[surya8]

Would anyone know what type of weather I should expect at this time of year?
Also, would there be many albergues or hostels/pensiones along the Camin(h)o open during this time? I understand that the period just after Christmas through early January is likely the least populated time to visit the Camino.

I walked the Coastal in the second half of Jan this year. Not many people on the route, between 3 and 6 on a given stage for us. Central way might have more people and more infrastructure in winter as is more popuar. Weather was a mix. Great experience overall. I posted about it here: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...r-those-who-consider-walking-in-winter.65099/ Bom Caminho!