Walking the Camino Frances alone in September

[Roxontheroad]

Hi! I am a 26 year old female, planning on walking the Camino Frances alone this September/October (starting mid-September). How well populated is it at that time of year? I know a lot of people walk then because it's not as crowded as the summer months, but I'm definitely hoping to meet plenty of cool people. I walked part of it in the summer a few years ago and the friendships I made at the time were one of my favorite parts of the trip.

Cheers,
Roxane

 

[Stella Kim]

Hi Roxane,

I'm Stella, 31 years old, and I'm starting my first walk on Camino Frances in mid-September with a friend. I thought you might want to check out this thread:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...17-pilgrims-check-in.49246/page-3#post-536653

I'm sure there are more people who haven't checked in, but you can get a glance at a list of people who will be walking before/with/after you.

Hope to meet you along the way!

Best,
Stella

 

[alexwalker]

Hi! I am a 26 year old female, planning on walking the Camino Frances alone this September/October (starting mid-September). How well populated is it at that time of year? I know a lot of people walk then because it's not as crowded as the summer months, but I'm definitely hoping to meet plenty of cool people. I walked part of it in the summer a few years ago and the friendships I made at the time were one of my favorite parts of the trip.

Cheers,
Roxane

Hi,
I am one of the "Cool people" (I hope/think). I start from Pamplona at the start of Sept, if all goes to plan. I will be long ahead of you, so we will not meet, but you will meet many cool people in Sept. Enjoy.

Edit: I am always happy to see young people walk the Camino: It will give you a headstart to a meaning- and insightful life; a life headstart compared to many others your age. (I am 63 and started a bit too late,)

 

[C clearly]

How well populated is it at that time of year?

Where are you planning to start?

Here is a site with statistics from the Pilgrim Office in Santiago, about the people who received compostelas.

Let's assume that the pilgrims finish their walk in the month following their start. You can see that in

• October 2016: 28,222 people received compostelas. Of these, 6377 started in Sarria and 5819 started in St. Jean Pied de Port. Everyone else started somewhere else, a majority somewhere between these places on the Camino Frances
• September 2016: 40,149 people received compostelas. Of those, 10,900 started in Sarria and 4154 started in St Jean Pied de Port.
• August 2016: 53,204 got compostelas with 14,938 starting in Sarria and 3942 in SJPP.

So, you can see that the Sept-Oct arrivals are down from August, but (very roughly) somewhere between 100 and 200 people started in SJPP everyday, and between 200 and 500 started in Sarria each day, not to mention everyone else started in between. That's pretty well populated!

 

[Theatregal]

Hi Roxane,

The Camino Frances is still very well populated in September and October. I think I can safely say that you will be in good company with many cool people .

Buen Camino!

 

[Mike Savage]

Welcome Roxane and Stella! There were definitely a lot of cool people walking the Francés in September 2015 when I walked it and I bet there are even more this year.

Buen Camino!

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Hi! I am a 26 year old female, planning on walking the Camino Frances alone this September/October (starting mid-September). How well populated is it at that time of yHear? I know a lot of people walk then because it's not as crowded as the summer months, but I'm definitely hoping to meet plenty of cool people. I walked part of it in the summer a few years ago and the friendships I made at the time were one of my favorite parts of the trip.

Cheers,
Roxane

Hi Roxane, some times it will be a challance to walk really alone
My wife has also walked alone in September and she enjoy'd it very much.

Wish you a wonderful time and a Buen Camino,Peter.

 

[julia-t]

I've walked parts of the Camino in late September/early October in 2015 and 2016.

You'll find it difficult to be truly alone for more than a few km at a time.

As for 'cool' people, well that's going to be up to you to seek out those whom you consider to be 'cool'.

But I have no doubt you will have a fantastic time! Buen Camino x

 

[mayuresh]

Hi Roxane, some times it will be a challance to walk really alone
My wife has also walked alone in September and she enjoy'd it very much.

Wish you a wonderful time and a Buen Camino,Peter.

Hello. I will be starting on 7 th or 8 th of September this year from SJPDP. Can you please tell me if it rains on the Camino Frances in the September- October time period ?

 

[FLEUR]

're the rain, sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. I don't think anyone can say it won't rain at all!

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Hello. I will be starting on 7 th or 8 th of September this year from SJPDP. Can you please tell me if it rains on the Camino Frances in the September- October time period ?

Hi,as already stated nobody can tell in advance iff it is dry or rain.
It is what it is.
Wish you well,Peter.

 

[WGroleau]

Do you have an idea of your starting location and date? You could probably easily find someone to share your journey if you want a walking companion.

I'll probably be en Camino in September, but I'll be on a bicycle. (I imagine you don't particularly want to hang out with a 63-year-old male, anyway.)

 

[mayuresh]

Thank

're the rain, sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. I don't think anyone can say it won't rain at all!

you very much

 

[mayuresh]

T

Hi,as already stated nobody can tell in advance iff it is dry or rain.
It is what it is.
Wish you well,Peter.

you very much

 

[SabsP]

Enjoy!
And don't forget that the less cool kids sometimes have the most interesting stories to tell...
That is the beauty of the Camino : you will have the most wonderful meetings when you least expect it.

 

[Wanderlust57]

Hi! I am a 26 year old female, planning on walking the Camino Frances alone this September/October (starting mid-September). How well populated is it at that time of year? I know a lot of people walk then because it's not as crowded as the summer months, but I'm definitely hoping to meet plenty of cool people. I walked part of it in the summer a few years ago and the friendships I made at the time were one of my favorite parts of the trip.

Cheers,
Roxane

Hi Roxane
You wont be the only female alone on the Camino! I start Sept 2nd. You may catch up to me! I hope to meet you!
Cheers,
Beth Wanderlust57

 

[John O'Connell]

I walked "alone" last September, just 7 days starting from St. Jean. There should be a couple of hundred starting per day. If you're starting in St Jean, most people start at the same time (around 6.30 - 7.45) so most likely you will be surrounded. I met many of the friends that I walked with on subsequent days in St Jean and walking from there so you should be open chatting and mixing with the wonderful range of people you will meet. BC.

 

[nycwalking]

I walked alone during that time as a solo female. Felt perfectly safe. You will find yourself surrounded by wonderful people on a wonderful road.
Buen camino.

 

[Mike Savage]

Hello. I will be starting on 7 th or 8 th of September this year from SJPDP. Can you please tell me if it rains on the Camino Frances in the September- October time period ?

It would be unusual to not have any rain for all of September and October especially as you get farther west into Galicia. You may walk 3-4 weeks without rain and then have it rain every day for a week too. Having walked many days in the rain I find that I don't mind it at all especially if I am warm. My biggest concern would be if I had to walk along the road would the cars be able to see me. I always bring a lightweight reflective vest to wear especially in the early morning fog they can have in Galicia.

Buen Camino!

 

[jo webber]

I'm one of the cool people walking in Sept / Oct.
If you need a grandma ear, I'm the one.

 

[lt56ny]

Hi! I am a 26 year old female, planning on walking the Camino Frances alone this September/October (starting mid-September). How well populated is it at that time of year? I know a lot of people walk then because it's not as crowded as the summer months, but I'm definitely hoping to meet plenty of cool people. I walked part of it in the summer a few years ago and the friendships I made at the time were one of my favorite parts of the trip.

Cheers,
Roxane

I have walked it 2 times from about September 23rd to the end of October and you will be fine. Lots of young people your age and lots of old ones like me too! It is a great time to walk although bring your rain gear for Galicia and the Meseta. Although the first time I walked the Meseta was about 90 every day and the second time there were 4 days of high wind in my face and heavy rain.
So bring layers and maybe a couple of pairs of extra socks. On those rainy days collect newspapers to stuff in your shoes when you get to the albergue.
Stuff them as soon as you arrive. Stuff again about an hour later and once more before bed and you will have dry sneakers (I wear light trail running shoes) in the morning. It will be great as you also you probably won't have problems finding albergues. But leave early on the Meseta.
Buen Camino

 

[Magnar Eagles]

I'm expecting to set off mid September as well, so there should be plenty of company to be had

 

[HedaP]

I walked mid Sept/Oct. Ditto to all of the above. Buen camino especially to all the new pilgrims.

 

[OLDBIKERIDER]

As many others said, you will only be alone when you elect to be alone, and you will meet life-long friends that will change your life. I encourage you to be open to others. All this will likely become obvious within a day or two on the Camino.
Calm your heart.

 

[KatjaA]

As many have said before, I'm one of the cool people too. I'll be walking the Camino alone from September 23rd out of Pamplona.
Maybe we'll meet, but if we don't Buen Camino!

Katja