What to expect on the Camino Francés in winter?

[Stinky Pilgrim]

Hello,

I would be grateful for any input on the feasibility of doing the Camino Francés in winter - early December to early January.

I have checked the winter temperature averages for various cities from Roncesvalles to Santiago and that is not a problem. Average snowfall is negligible in the same areas. But it seems that the weather could be a problem if one were to start in SJPDP, no?...given the mountain crossing...

Aside from the weather are there any other potential pitfalls particular to doing the camino in winter?

Any information would be appreciated!

Mil gracias.

 

[mspath]

pellegrino,

Welcome to the Forum!

Any season can be a wonderful time to walk, but in winter you MUST be prepared for varied weather. Nights can be extremely cold with freezing rain or snow. Learn to read the sky for possible storms, ask locals for advice and take every precaution.

Sillydoll who is a Forum member has compiled encyclopedic information on Winter Walking. Other good accounts of winter walking by a Forum member Kialoa3 are his 2010 and later blogs

In bad weather many steep descents on the camino would be treacherous and following smaller parallel roads might be necessary. Winter 2012/13 the Napoleon route from SJPdP to Roncesvalles was filled with several meters of snow and in effect closed to pilgrims thus necessitating the use of the Valcarlos alternate; read more here about this hazardous situation

Other difficult stretches after storms might be from Najera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada or across the Montes de Oca from Villafranca as well as Monte Irago and, of course, O Cebreiro.

Not all albergues will be open, but the welcome at those albergues which are is often most sincere. Most will usually be heated and/or have blankets. Generally the hospitaleros know who is open on the next stage.

When walking in late autumn/winter only in larger places such as Roncevalles, Logrono and Santo Domingo de la Calzada and, of course, Santiago have I ever seen a cluster of more than 20 pilgrims at one time. It is easy to walk alone and in smaller albergues you might be the only pilgrim.

Twice during winter caminos I have sat out true blizzards; in Villafranca Montes de Oca, February 25, 26, 2006 and Foncebadón, March 5,6, 2009. Even late November 2012 the climb up to O Cebreiro was packed with snow. You can see the snow and read my blog accounts of these three memorable storms here. Luckily open albergues offered welcoming shelter, heat and companionship.

Most of us who walk in late autumn and winter wear and carry lightweight but warm layers which can easily be added or removed while walking. Each pilgrim develops a favorite combo. Scan the Forum's Equipment topic to see a multitude of varied approaches. Here's mine

Happy planning and Buen Camino,

Margaret Meredith

 

[Stinky Pilgrim]

I have only walked in November, so I can't address the snow issue from first hand knowledge, but I understand that even a light dusting of snow can obliterate the yellow arrows. So, I if was going to walk in the winter (which I am considering) I would definitely carry a handheld GPS device that has the Camino preprogramed into it so I didn't have to make a life and death guess when I come to a fork in the road.

Thanks very much. I hadn't considered the obscuring of the flechas. I had occasion to walk from Pamploma to Snato Domingo de la Calzada back n the summer of 2000 and it was sometimes challenging locaing the flechas without the snow... I like the GPS idea.

 

[Stinky Pilgrim]

Many thanks for the reply, Margaret! The blog you mentioned addresses various important issues associated with walking in winter.
Buen camino!