Walking the Camino Francis July/Aug 2020

[Sjp007]

I’m walking my 2nd Camino this year in Mid-July thru August. Did it by myself in 2017 (same months) and this year I’ll walk with my daughter.....anyone else walking during these months?

 

[Deleted member 67185]

A warm welcome to the Forum.

 

[RibbonRomanceAuthor]

I’m walking my 2nd Camino this year in Mid-July thru August. Did it by myself in 2017 (same months) and this year I’ll walk with my daughter.....anyone else walking during these months?

I'm walking my first. Solo. I'm looking to see what weather to expect during July and August. Do you have any thoughts? Thank you. Buon Camino

 

[SYates]

I'm walking my first. Solo. I'm looking to see what weather to expect during July and August. Do you have any thoughts? Thank you. Buon Camino

Hot and hotter and lots of pilgrims the closer you get to Santiago.
BC SY

 

[Sjp007]

I'm walking my first. Solo. I'm looking to see what weather to expect during July and August. Do you have any thoughts? Thank you. Buon Camino

Since I walked during the same months 3years ago I decided to walk the same months this year...yes it is hot but always a creek, river, bucket of water, or drainage ditch to soak your feet in and cool off. Drink lots of water, start early, take breaks during the day, maybe carry a UV umbrella, but all in all I loved walking during July/Aug and look forward to doing it again!

 

[Wild Irish]

Since I walked during the same months 3years ago I decided to walk the same months this year...yes it is hot but always a creek, river, bucket of water, or drainage ditch to soak your feet in and cool off. Drink lots of water, start early, take breaks during the day, maybe carry a UV umbrella, but all in all I loved walking during July/Aug and look forward to doing it again!

Welcome to the forum @Sjp007 , I just joined myself last week! I'm a first timer and hoping to start around the 3rd week of July and continuing through August, delighted to hear you enjoyed walking at this time of year! It wouldn't be my preferred time to walk because although I love the heat, I'm not fond of potential heatwaves, but it's the only time I can do it ( and I'm very grateful to finally be able to do it!) The fact that you're choosing to go at that time of year again is uplifting! How was your overall experience on your first walk at this time of year?

 

[trecile]

Every year is different, but I experienced better weather, especially on the Meseta during my July/August 2017 Camino than during my late August/September 2016 Camino.

 

[Sjp007]

Welcome to the forum @Sjp007 , I just joined myself last week! I'm a first timer and hoping to start around the 3rd week of July and continuing through August, delighted to hear you enjoyed walking at this time of year! It wouldn't be my preferred time to walk because although I love the heat, I'm not fond of potential heatwaves, but it's the only time I can do it ( and I'm very grateful to finally be able to do it!) The fact that you're choosing to go at that time of year again is uplifting! How was your overall experience on your first walk at this time of year?

You’ll have a fantastic time! What I found was that it wasn’t too busy during those months, some days I walked with only a few pilgrims...up until I hit Saria when it got busier but I think that happens no matter what time of year you go. I allowed myself to stay in 3 air conditioned hotels (Ventosa, Burgos, and Leon) which really made it easier to walk through any heatwaves as it was my reward haha good luck and hope to see you on the way!!

 

[Sjp007]

Every year is different, but I experienced better weather, especially on the Meseta during my July/August 2017 Camino than during my late August/September 2016 Camino.

We we’re probably there at the exact same time, I didn’t have one day of rain the entire walk

 

[trecile]

We we’re probably there at the exact same time, I didn’t have one day of rain the entire walk

It did rain during the night when I was in Puente la Reina. My poncho spent the entire Camino at the bottom of my pack.
And you are right about the Camino not being too busy until Sarria. The "hordes" of pilgrims starting from St Jean Pied de Port are in May and September.

 

[Genevievala]

This is all great to read Also planning for mid July start from SJPDP. Maybe see you there!

 

[Wild Irish]

You’ll have a fantastic time! What I found was that it wasn’t too busy during those months, some days I walked with only a few pilgrims...up until I hit Saria when it got busier but I think that happens no matter what time of year you go. I allowed myself to stay in 3 air conditioned hotels (Ventosa, Burgos, and Leon) which really made it easier to walk through any heatwaves as it was my reward haha good luck and hope to see you on the way!!

Haha! I'm all about the rewards I'm really looking forward to getting out there! That's great you didn't find it too busy, I know it depends year on year and that crowds are to be expected from Saria onwards, but it sounds like a good balance. Quick footwear question, did you use trail runners or hiking sandals? Or maybe a combo could be used Hope to see you on the way too , roll on July!

 

[Sjp007]

Haha! I'm all about the rewards I'm really looking forward to getting out there! That's great you didn't find it too busy, I know it depends year on year and that crowds are to be expected from Saria onwards, but it sounds like a good balance. Quick footwear question, did you use trail runners or hiking sandals? Or maybe a combo could be used Hope to see you on the way too , roll on July!

I used both teva sandals and Columbia hiking shoes....the shoes were great for the rocky uphills and downhills....and the sandals were cool and easy to walk in....see you in July!!!

 

[Wild Irish]

I used both teva sandals and Columbia hiking shoes....the shoes were great for the rocky uphills and downhills....and the sandals were cool and easy to walk in....see you in July!!!

Perfect, thank you! See you out there

 

[RibbonRomanceAuthor]

Since I walked during the same months 3years ago I decided to walk the same months this year...yes it is hot but always a creek, river, bucket of water, or drainage ditch to soak your feet in and cool off. Drink lots of water, start early, take breaks during the day, maybe carry a UV umbrella, but all in all I loved walking during July/Aug and look forward to doing it again!

 

[RibbonRomanceAuthor]

I’ve been reading guides that speak of a high of 80 degrees. Does it get hotter than that? Is humidity a factor? BC

 

[trecile]

I’ve been reading guides that speak of a high of 80 degrees. Does it get hotter than that? Is humidity a factor? BC

Yes, it can get much hotter than that, but humidity generally isn't a problem. Some days I walked in 95°F heat, but it can get hotter.

 

[Sjp007]

I’ve been reading guides that speak of a high of 80 degrees. Does it get hotter than that? Is humidity a factor? BC

No humidity and in 2017 the average was 78 so yes it did get hotter some days but I just walked around that by leaving earlier or stopping earlier