Via de la Plata in late Feb./March: questions

[viajero]

It seems I might have a gap of time available in late February to start on the via de la plata. Any thoughts on weather, amount of albergues that are open, quantity of pilgrims, etc.? I much prefer cooler weather to warmer and can't imagine walking this route in a hot month. Thanks.

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Hola - in 2006 I walked the Via de la Plata starting in Sevilla in January. The weather was perfect - some days I had to wear sun screen. Even those few years ago there were albergues open all the way and few other pilgrims. I think it is a perfect time of the year as you will avoid the searing heat of summer.

Buen Camino

John

 

[Jeff Stys]

I walked the VdlP in two different stages....one in December and another in October. I had no problem finding a place to stay on either trip. Weather was good both times except for heavy rainfall for 2 days in October. The locals assured me "It never rains this hard!!".

In December I ran into only one pilgrim. It was quite a solitary trek. In October, there were about 5-7 at albuergues per night.

Buen Camino,

Jeff

 

[viajero]

Thank you both for your positive replies. It sounds quite promising. Thanks.

 

[mmm042]

Go for it! This year I walked from Merida to Salamanca in March. Apparently I missed a few days of heavy rain just before I began (early March), which of course was good. During my walk there were some very muddy, wet spots because of the rain; once, I had to take my boots off and wade through the water, as it was too wide and deep to hop across. But no rain fell on me.

And yes, I hate hot weather too, so this was great. You didn't have to worry so much about water, because you drank less, and you were never too cold if you wore shorts or too hot if you wore pants.
Of course, prepare for some rain. But you can also get rain the fall, as I did during a previous Camino in November.

Oh, and re: pilgrims on the trail, I didn't happen to run into almost any -- maybe 5. However, from what various innkeepers told me, they'd been hosting a few pilgrims every night.

Have fun!
Melanie

 

[madrid12]

I have also walked this route in Feb and March in 2004. The weather was a real mix but I never had any serious problems. In Banos it snowed and the locals said dont walk so I caught the bus to Salamanca and went back to finish this stretch after I reached Santiago. I stayed in a mixture of alburgues and hostels and always found accomodation. I did'nt meet any other pilgrims but met more local people and thats what I like.
Enjoy your camino.
Liz