nickymunch
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances April 2018... planning Via de la Plata, Jan 2020
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I would say April is the perfect time of year to walk from Seville. Some hot days at first in 2012 and 2017 from mid April. Travelling North there can be some cold days and the occasional raincoat day. I carry two bottles of water,one in each side of my pack also an Aquarius or bifrutis juice. only once did I run out and that was the long ,hot trudge to San Pedro de Rozados, I was in sight of town though. I know,I know Ishould drink more but don't.
I started walking in mid-March this year and it was hot even then. Had to stop after a week due to blisters. AM going back next year and am starting on 6 Feb. Hope the accommodation will not be an issue.Hi everyone on here, I’m asking advice again :0) I originally planned my walk along the vdlp next January/February but found some accommodation closed so I’m leaving Seville now early April.... can anyone advise me on what the predicted weather may be and whether there are many water fountains along the way, compared to the Frances. When doing this last year I found hydration no problem but my instincts tell me the velocity will be more difficult.
Anticipating your response as always with gratitude.
Nicky
I started walking in mid-March this year and it was hot even then. Had to stop after a week due to blisters. AM going back next year and am starting on 6 Feb. Hope the accommodation will not be an issue.
I just walked the first part to Salamanca in May and it was just starting to get hot. So, I suspect your timing will be perfect as regards temperature. Who knows about rain..... Compared to the Frances, the VDLP is quite a shock. But after the first few days of pasture land, few towns, less places to stop for water and trails that have a fine silt that sucks you in when it rains, it really starts to grow on you (and I'm not being facetious). I really enjoyed the lack of crowds, less English language than on the Frances so you get to practice your Spanish, and the food seemed to be better. And, as is typical, the people in the towns were fantastic, helpful, and just genuinely nice. Going back in the spring for the Salamanca to Santiago leg.
Hi Nickyleaving Seville now early April.... can anyone advise me on what the predicted weather may be and whether there are many water fountains along the way.
Nicky
I agree with April walking temps.I would say April is the perfect time of year to walk from Seville. Travelling North there can be some cold days and the occasional raincoat day.
........I know,I know Ishould drink more but don't.
The weather is getting very unpredictable. I had lovely weather in February and March.
I would have loved to have had a night out under the stars around Caparra - ***
I really wanted to stop in Banos to take advantage of the termas. And it is a very nice walk from there to Salamanca the next day ****
@nickymunch
I think Donna encountered warmer weather in the earlier months this year than April ,,, where is cooled off. That was 2019. Good luck for 2020
***. Cáparra on 26th April this year was too cold to be sleeping ‘ under the stars ‘. Although I did walk a while with a very hardy Englishman who said he’d had a couple of nights outdoors in the hedges. Brrrr.
****. Donna I wouldn’t think anyone could walk Baños to Salamanca in one day ?
Buen camino Nicky
Annie
@nickymunch
Hi Nicky
If the weather was what you’d expect in that region for April, it ‘would’ be lovely spring sunshine - but the world all over gives us surprises. This year some people on forum had very hot weather in March. I left Seville on April 7 and weather was between 10c and 20c for walking. Beautiful and temps were pretty constant. I carried 3 litres of water but never needed it. ( If it was right now August , you’d probably run out !). The water - didn’t see many water fountains but I made sure bottles were full when I left in mornings. I’m happy with out of the tap . Also depends on how long and far your days will be. Some people walk 40+ per day. I’m happy anything less than 30 .. some days had to be very short because of this to split a long stretch.
Have a look at gronze for stages but some others on this forum have generously posted some wonderful stage plans as a guide
I took a light pretty item (blouse) for evenings for eating in, but never wore it as it was always too cold during April and early May for me after walking to wear less than a merino top .
I agree with April walking temps.
Still found some rainy days but as long as you’ve got your gear it’s ok -
The water I think you had all you needed- longer distances and hotter days would definitely be more difficult with water.
Nicky ,
The areas of sticky mud were frustrating- trying to scrape it clear but those days were minimal and you’ve got to expect some bad with the good
April 2020 Easter Sunday is 12th. So you’ll be slap bang in peak time in Sevilla. Good idea to decide on your accommodation now..
I tended to book here and there but I’d try for a few more Albergues early on if I did it again. Namely the first couple of days out from Sevilla. I walked with pilgrims here and there who had found room in Albergues
I did ‘rush’ one day to get a bottom bunk in Valdesalor.., but most places had some accommodation/ just have an idea of where you want to stay and call day before if you’re worried.
Definitely do this if you want to stay In Merida, Caceres..( big Easter goings on there-
I had booked for casa de Cásares (after Cáseres).
Also need to know whether Albergue at Embalse de Alcántara is open if you plan that as a stop.
Another tourist busy place for those enjoying thermal baths is Baños de Montemayor. I had booked a hotel days previously as heard it was full.
Others I walked with had a problem finding a place but all found something. They were persistent though
I think Donna encountered warmer weather in the earlier months this year than April ,,, where is cooled off. That was 2019. Good luck for 2020
***. Cáparra on 26th April this year was too cold to be sleeping ‘ under the stars ‘. Although I did walk a while with a very hardy Englishman who said he’d had a couple of nights outdoors in the hedges. Brrrr.
****. Donna I wouldn’t think anyone could walk Baños to Salamanca in one day ?
Buen camino Nicky
Annie
Thanks camino07, I’m trying to work out the benefits of possibly taking an umbrella, for shade and for waterproofing... it’s a journey I’m really excited about making too, I’m hoping that there’ll be more solitude that was absent on the Frances. I appreciate your tips on the water bottles.
Many thanks
Thanks Marcus.... I’m hoping to pass through Salamanca on approximately the 28th April but I’ll try and reserve a bed, thanks for the heads up and have a great journey
Nicky
I started walking in mid-March this year and it was hot even then. Had to stop after a week due to blisters. AM going back next year and am starting on 6 Feb. Hope the accommodation will not be an issue.
Hi everyone on here, I’m asking advice again :0) I originally planned my walk along the vdlp next January/February but found some accommodation closed so I’m leaving Seville now early April.... can anyone advise me on what the predicted weather may be and whether there are many water fountains along the way, compared to the Frances. When doing this last year I found hydration no problem but my instincts tell me the velocity will be more difficult.
Anticipating your response as always with gratitude.
Nicky
What month did you walk it, Davey?I took an umbrella on the VDLP (silver UV hands free one), and I am very glad I did!
Buen Camino
Davey
What month did you walk it, Davey?
Thanks, Davey. That's when I was thinking of starting. Easter is April 12th this year. Thought if I waited until the 13th there may be less people needing beds. But I hate walking in heat. I could start around April 1st instead. I will only go as far as Salamanca or Zamora. You mentioning you were glad taking the umbrella has me a bit concerned is why I asked when you started.Started at Easter, so early April
Thanks, Davey. That's when I was thinking of starting. Easter is April 12th this year. Thought if I waited until the 13th there may be less people needing beds. But I hate walking in heat. I could start around April 1st instead. I will only go as far as Salamanca or Zamora. You mentioning you were glad taking the umbrella has me a bit concerned is why I asked when you started.
I'm going to look into starting April 1st. I will be going with two family members so may have to arrange lodging ahead of time if I can figure all that out ahead of time. You've been helpful. Thanks again.If I did it again I would start a week or two after Easter, or a week before. Easter seems the main start time for the VDLP and the albergues were packed, lucky I was able and willing to sleep outside.
Not only was it hot when I started but on the VDLP there are very long stretches of no shade, that is where the brolly came in really handy.
It is a wonderful route though! I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Davey
I'm going to look into starting April 1st. I will be going with two family members so may have to arrange lodging ahead of time if I can figure all that out ahead of time. You've been helpful. Thanks again.
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