Hello everyone!
I was wondering if it is too late to start planning for a Camino in this July. I realised this would be the perfect time for me to do it now this summer as I have free time, money, good physical condition etc. (I can never be sure that I have so much free time or money in the future.)
I think I have enough time for organising the travels there and back, as well as reading the online resources, books, getting a map and the necessary gear (I already have the essential hiking gear so that is not a problem).
However, I'm not so sure if it's a good idea to start planning this late (and how detailed plans I should make) or to walk my first Camino in July-August if it's so crowded.
Hello, and welcome to the forum!
As others of said, no, of course it's not too late to jump in for this July! It seems like all your signs are pointing to it and calling you, "Come this way! Come this way!"
I've walked the Camino Francés four times. The first two times were in September-October. Then in 2012 and 2015 I walked in the last part of June and most of July. There was a heat wave each time, and in 2012 I promised myself I'd never walk another summer Camino, but last year I went back and did it again, and loved it! You might like to keep in mind that a summer Camino generally means getting up to start walking earlier in the day. On my first two autumn Caminos I remember hearing about summertime pilgrims getting up to start walking at 5am and thinking, "Those people are crazy, and that will never be me in this lifetime!" However, a few days of walking in June on my third Camino and I was very happy to join the 4:30am club! That to say, if you start walking at 5am, and plan to walk 25km, you'd likely be done by about 11am-12pm (depends on how many breaks you take for photos or food or bathroom trips, and how fast you walk).
Last year when I walked was a busy time (I started on June 28, in comparison with June 21 in 2012), with many pilgrims on their way to Santiago in time for the July 24-25 birthday celebration, but I still always found a bed at an albergue. The only place I booked in advance was for Santiago but that was because I arrived on July 23rd. (The municipal albergues in Arzua and Arca do Pino (O Pedrouzo) were full then, but that was to be expected so close to the 24th.)
Actually, something wonderful happened to me last year. I ended up in an "empty pocket". Around about July 13 there were lots of pilgrims picking up the pace to get to Santiago in time for July 24th. But there were also lots of pilgrims who continued at their same pace because they neither needed to or wanted to get to Santiago by the 24th. The stretches of Camino ahead of the slower pilgrims but behind the faster pilgrims seemed to create a void. It was beautiful. I had the Camino to myself for hours at a time, for days (especially as I decided last-minute to push for Santiago too, so I was speeding up). What a blessing! For example, the night I stayed in Reliegos there were only 7 or 8 of us in the entire municipal albergue. I'd stayed there twice before with many more pilgrims than that!
Next time I walk again in July I think I'll aim for that pocket again (and hope not too many other people have decided to do the same, haha).
I hope that helps a little.
You're already on your way if you have your gear. And you've still got at least 5 weeks to play with for planning, even if you want to start at the beginning of July.
Buen Camino!
Rachel
P.S. Edited to add that I see you've booked flights! Hurray! I've gone by myself all four times and have always felt safe, except for two moments (once on my first Camino and once last year) when I scared myself. It was practice at, and an invitation to, being more aware of my surroundings and staying connected to my instinct and intuition. Ask to walk with others if you would like company. You'll meet dozens and dozens of people as you go. Do, yes, keep your valuables with you at all times, even when you go to shower. A friend I met on my 2011 Camino left his wallet and camera on his bed for the time it took him to go and pee, and unfortunately when he came back they were gone. Hard lesson for him to learn on his first Camino. Also, I only use bank machines on weekdays now, after getting stalled by a broken machine in Logroño on a Saturday morning. Thankfully the police helped me out in that situation, they were lovely and I got to sit in the exact same chair as Martin Sheen did in the movie "The Way"! (I was too distraught at the time to think about where I was sitting, but afterwards when I re-watched the movie I realised I'd been in the same seat.) And also be extra aware of your valuables on your way to the Camino, for example if you go via a busy hub like Madrid. But really, ultimately, all is well.