Weather extremes on the VDLP

[Richo]

Like most or all of the other Caminos, the most popular times to set out on the VDLP seem to be April and September. It appears that even in September it can still be fiercely hot and by the time you get to the Sanabres, freezing cold. April temperatures are milder, I guess and by the time you get further north and into the hills it should be warming up. I understand that in April/May there may be arroyos/creeks/streams to cross but it does seem to be the most agreeable time to go. I can't go this coming April and prudence says to delay until April 2019, but I'm not sure I can wait that long . Any thoughts?
Richard.

 

[Bradypus]

I walked from Sevilla to Puerto de Bejar in October. Several hot days over 33C to begin with but much more comfortable after that. Perhaps you should consider the autumn as well as spring.

 

[Richo]

I walked from Sevilla to Puerto de Bejar in October. Several hot days over 33C to begin with but much more comfortable after that. Perhaps you should consider the autumn as well as spring.

Bradypus, I usually walk in autumn but never in the south of Spain and I'm not keen on the cold, but I'm considering it

 

[peregrina2000]

Like most or all of the other Caminos, the most popular times to set out on the VDLP seem to be April and September. It appears that even in September it can still be fiercely hot and by the time you get to the Sanabres, freezing cold. April temperatures are milder, I guess and by the time you get further north and into the hills it should be warming up. I understand that in April/May there may be arroyos/creeks/streams to cross but it does seem to be the most agreeable time to go. I can't go this coming April and prudence says to delay until April 2019, but I'm not sure I can wait that long . Any thoughts?
Richard.

Hi, Richard,
So, do you actually have time for two caminos? By that I mean, does putting off the Vdlp till April 2019 still leave you with time to walk in summer or autumn 2018?

If so, doing a more northern camino in the hotter months would be a great idea -- Invierno, Olvidado, Vadiniense, even Norte or Salvador/Primitivo. But save the Vdlp for Spring.

I have walked the Vdlp in spring several times and would never consider another time of year. Carpets of green, fields of wild flowers, babbling brooks (and yes some to cross in water shoes), it is stunning.

Like you, I am not sure I could skip a year without serious withdrawl problems, so maybe you can get the best of both worlds by pushing off the Vdlp for 2019 and focusing on something else for 2018!

Just my two cents, buen camino, Laurie

 

[Threepeaks]

Like most or all of the other Caminos, the most popular times to set out on the VDLP seem to be April and September. It appears that even in September it can still be fiercely hot and by the time you get to the Sanabres, freezing cold. April temperatures are milder, I guess and by the time you get further north and into the hills it should be warming up. I understand that in April/May there may be arroyos/creeks/streams to cross but it does seem to be the most agreeable time to go. I can't go this coming April and prudence says to delay until April 2019, but I'm not sure I can wait that long . Any thoughts?
Richard.

Hi Richard,
I started from Sevilla on April 6, 2017. There were a few very warm days early on but nothing intolerable. And several days before Zamora temperatures dropped for a few days - near freezing in the morning. But good walking weather throughout the day. The early spring had been dry so the creeks were dry - no complaints from me on that.

As described above, the green fields and flowers in bloom made this a beautiful time of year to walk. I highly recommend.
Buen Camino - Richard

 

[mla1]

I walked the VDLP in 2016. Started late March. The first few days were around 30. I found them very hot after coming out of a canadian winter. But a little ways in, you start to climb to higher elevations. The leaves were barely starting to come out. It was fabulous. By the last few days, first week of May, we were back in the heat - low 30s. Hot and sunny. I'd walk this camino as early as possible. There was water...but it was easier than the heat. For me.

 

[alexwalker]

I walked Salamanca-SdC in May 2012. 19 days of rain and cold winds, 2 days of snow on mountain passes, and partly cloudy and sun last day into SdC...

 

[sharon w]

Weather was excellent this year in April/May. Not much water to walk through or over.i guess if it is very wet, there are still ways around some places.