Trying to decide when to go...

[trecile]

I'm currently attending University classes and thought that I would like to walk the Norte in August/September, and come home in time to attend Fall term, which begins on September 24. I'd want to be home by the 20th at the latest. But, my husband and I also need to visit our son, who moved to New York last fall sometime this summer. It turns out that the best times for him for our visit falls right in the middle of the time frame that I wanted to walk.

So, I'm thinking that I start around the second weekend of July, then fly to New York in August on my way home. I have walked the Frances twice in the summer, so hot weather doesn't concern me. I like the longer summer days, and the possibility of swimming in the ocean. Not to mention the fact that I don't need to pack as much.

The other option would be to fly to Spain from New York in mid August after the visit with our son, and skip the fall term at school.

So, I guess what I really need to know is how is the Norte during these two time periods? July/August vs August/September? I really like the social aspect of the Frances, so will I find more pilgrims during the July/August? Or just more tourists in that part of Spain?

 

[The12stepwarrior]

I’m going again in September. I was there in may last year and November 2015. May is rainy , November cold and snowy I’m hoping September will be sunny and breezy. X

 

[tbcan]

I'm currently attending University classes and thought that I would like to walk the Norte in August/September, and come home in time to attend Fall term, which begins on September 24. I'd want to be home by the 20th at the latest. But, my husband and I also need to visit our son, who moved to New York last fall sometime this summer. It turns out that the best times for him for our visit falls right in the middle of the time frame that I wanted to walk.

So, I'm thinking that I start around the second weekend of July, then fly to New York in August on my way home. I have walked the Frances twice in the summer, so hot weather doesn't concern me. I like the longer summer days, and the possibility of swimming in the ocean. Not to mention the fact that I don't need to pack as much.

The other option would be to fly to Spain from New York in mid August after the visit with our son, and skip the fall term at school.

So, I guess what I really need to know is how is the Norte during these two time periods? July/August vs August/September? I really like the social aspect of the Frances, so will I find more pilgrims during the July/August? Or just more tourists in that part of Spain?

I have a friend who tried to walk the Norte in August and gave up after being unable to find accommodation. I think vacationers are plentiful along the coast especially near the beginning, I walked from Irun to Santander late September/early October and found it Great!

 

[SusanMB]

We did Norte October lsst year and it was still busy fot the Norte. We were told at many of he albergues that we had chosen the best time as up to mid September there are still many tourists.

 

[NualaOC]

Hi @trecile, I walked parts of the Norte in May and in September/October. The weather seems to unpredictable whenever you go - I experienced rain/mud and glorious sunshine both times.

I swam in the sea both times and the water was definitely warmer in September. I wondered if this might be a factor for your dates, so I googled sea temperatures and found this chart. There isn't a big difference between July and August. Sea swimming is one of the big perks of the Norte - it's so good for the feet and the body!

I imagine that things will be pretty busy during the summer, but there are quite a few albergues that only open during the summer months. If you're flexible and willing to use private accommodation, there are loads of options on Gronze. I put the booking.com app on my phone and used it to get an idea of availability in the places that I thought might be busy. If there were plenty of rooms on booking.com, I worked on the basis that I'd find a bed somewhere, which always worked out.

I imagine that the route will be busy with both tourists and pilgrims in both August and September.

Happy planning and Buen Camino.

 

[Canche]

I'm currently attending University classes and thought that I would like to walk the Norte in August/September, and come home in time to attend Fall term, which begins on September 24. I'd want to be home by the 20th at the latest. But, my husband and I also need to visit our son, who moved to New York last fall sometime this summer. It turns out that the best times for him for our visit falls right in the middle of the time frame that I wanted to walk.

So, I'm thinking that I start around the second weekend of July, then fly to New York in August on my way home. I have walked the Frances twice in the summer, so hot weather doesn't concern me. I like the longer summer days, and the possibility of swimming in the ocean. Not to mention the fact that I don't need to pack as much.

The other option would be to fly to Spain from New York in mid August after the visit with our son, and skip the fall term at school.

So, I guess what I really need to know is how is the Norte during these two time periods? July/August vs August/September? I really like the social aspect of the Frances, so will I find more pilgrims during the July/August? Or just more tourists in that part of Spain?

September is wonderful. Perfect weather. August might be a little hot but one never knows

 

[Maggie Y]

Agree. Always been lucky with weather on El Norte in Sept