• Get your Camino Frances Guidebook here.
  • For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here.
    (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation)
  • ⚠️ Emergency contact in Spain - Dial 112 and AlertCops app. More on this here.
This is a mobile optimized page that loads fast, if you want to load the real page, click this text.

When is the best time to walk?

SMAKCANADA

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Looking forward to CF in 2021.
When people say the Camino is 'crowded' in September, what exactly does that mean? Is there is a lack of accommodation, restaurants are full, or too many people on the way to be able to feel like It's a solitary pilgrimage rather than a holiday, or there are too many vehicles on the roads? I haven't done it so I'd like a picture of what crowded means and why a month with fewer participants is better.
 
Altus ANDES 400 H30 sleeping bag
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-
May and September are the most popular months to start from SJPDP. Because of that there can be some "bottlenecks" until around Pamplona, with most pilgrims ending up in the same towns. It has been reported during these months that pilgrims have had to take taxis to alternate accommodations. I would consider prebooking up through Pamplona.
 
Vehicles are rarely an issue as relatively little of the Frances is on roads these days. Accommodation shortages can and do happen at times in September - particularly in the section between SJPDP and Pamplona. Restaurants can also be busy. The Camino Frances these days is not a route for those seeking solitude for much of the year in my opinion. On a busy September day there may be over 400 people each day walking each of the earlier stages though that does tend to thin out after Pamplona. A sizeable proportion appear to drop out in the first few days. If you are planning to start walking closer to Santiago - and about a quarter of all Compostelas go to people who begin their walk in Sarria - then you must be prepared for sharing the Camino every day with several hundred others.
 
Altus Poncho (ATMOSPHERIC H30)
Very light, comfortable and compressible poncho. Specially designed for protection against water for any activity.

Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

€60,-
EXPRESS BOURRICOT - Transport
Transport luggage-passengers.
From airports to SJPP
Luggage from SJPP to Roncevalles
I am planning to start from SJPdP during the 3rd week of September 2020. Will the crowds have thinned out somewhat by then?
 
Bobthebome said:
I am planning to start from SJPdP during the 3rd week of September 2020. Will the crowds have thinned out somewhat by then?
Click to expand...
May and September are the busiest months for departures from SJPP, so no, crowds won't start thinning out until October. If that's the best timing for you, don't be deterred! Just consider making reservations for your first several days, or be prepared with Plan B. Another suggestion is to leave SJPP on a Tuesday or Wednesday since many people travel and start on the weekend.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Camino Photo

Most read last week in this forum

Similar threads

H
Best time/temperature to walk the Camino Frances
Replies
15
Views
3K
A Crackpot Abroad
A
  • Tags faq
    • Sticky
    Rethink HOW and WHEN you walk the Francés - strategies for walking during busy times
    Replies
    86
    Views
    12K
    trecile
    Best 7 day walk on the Frances?
    Replies
    14
    Views
    2K
    Dick & Kitty
    D
    Menu
    Log in
    Register