Walking November with 15 yr old grandchild

samba said:

I am wanting to walk one of the camino with my grandchild .For various reasons can go nov/dec which i know is not optimum time .I have walked several routes but at other times .Wonder if there is anyone out there who has walked at that time -would like to do about 3/4 weeks and be good if some people on route for social aspect for him ,and also of course albergues open some of them .Mountains out because of weather .Any ideas ?? Thanks in advance

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I suggest the Camino Frances from Pamplona. If bad weather hits, take buses or sit it out, depending on your mood and time table. Most small albergues will be closed, so do some advance data collection, and know where you may have to stay in hostales.

Use www.booking.com or www.gronze.com (Spanish only) to make reservations a coupe of days in advance as you progress. Always show up for a reservation.

If you cannot make it, or will be late, please use either Google or Microsoft translate to send the property a message in Spanish advising them of your status and progress.

Many albergues will have closed for the season. Some hostals (small B&B type hotels) will also have closed for the season.

In any event, if you arrive in a village sans bed, DO inquire at the local bar / cafe. They will know who has available lodging. Sometimes a private person will take pilgrims into their home for the night on a donativo basis. If this occurs, do be generous.

The further one gets into invierno (winter) the more creative you must be.

I hope this helps.

My son and I walked in late March/early April from Leon. He was the only one his age that we saw walking until Sarria-- so he was a bit of an oddity and adults regularly asked me how I got him to go. He wanted to walk-- in fact, he wanted to go back. So the next Spring we walked from SJPP to Burgos. He was always pleased when we'd catch up to a group of young German men who would cheer when he came in the door. And he was always pleased with the food-- pulpo became his favorite dish. He could walk faster and further than I, and he had little interest in museums or churches. So our interests and energy sometimes clashed. -- He did say to me a month or so ago, that on the Camino he learned that no matter how much he complained, he would still have to walk so he might as well not complain, and just keep going.

Here is the list of albergues that are open in the winter - more every year.

Walking with a 15-year-old is great. Mine was so helpful and nice, kept grabbing stuff from my backpack to put into his, and his Spanish improved immensely.