When to walk the VDLP

[Simon B]

I know this question is being asked constantly and I apologise for doing so again. I am planning to walk the VDLP next Spring and am totally flexible with my start date. I am thinking it will take me 6 weeks and want to arrive in Santiago just after Easter so am thinking of starting on 15 March. While I appreciate that the weather is totally unpredictable could those seasoned VDLP pilgrims let me know if this will be a a good date to be able to enjoy Spring flowers? If you have a view on the weather would also appreciate that as well.

Many thanks in anticipation.

SImon

 

[MileHighPair]

Simon, as you indicate, much has been written on this topic. I'll share with you what my thinking was in 2017 and would be again if I were to do another spring VdlP. I started March 1st in Seville. First, I wanted to avoid the heat, as I do not enjoy walking in anything above 30C. Secondly, every spring you will read on this forum about full albergues in late April and May on the VdlP. (look back at posts from this spring) This is not something I want to worry about. March 1st was perfect for this, with just enough pilgrims to keep one company in the evenings. I will say that beginning in Seville on March 1st puts a person a little ahead of the best flowers. There were some early bloomers, but the big spring burst will be later.

Weather is so unpredictable. March of 2017 was wonderful, with cool mornings and very little rain. March of 2018 was terribly wet, with deep water requiring detours or bus rides for many stages. You can look at my blog from both 2016 and 2017 to see pictures and stories of our time on the VdlP. Buen Camino.

 

[Caminata]

I started April 13 in 2017 and had a fabulous time.
Dry weather. Not too hot. Good amount of walkers but not too many. 2 different albergues all to myself just when I needed it. There were pilgrims at a 2nd albergue in town.
I would do the VDLP again and would imagine that anytime from late March onwards would be a good time to start.

 

[tominrm]

April 2018 was, as MileHighPair pointed out, cold and wet. Walking south of Salamanca was harder compared to the north of it because the distance between albergues and lack of places to stop for eating/resting. That’s why many depend on bus or taxi some portions of the route. North of Salamanca has a few detours due to high speed train rail construction. That also means heavy truck traffic, dust, and many unsightly stone mining/crushing operations for the project along the beautiful route.

 

[Anniesantiago]

May 1

 

[Deleted member 397]

I've done the vdlp a few times always in summer. The last time I started in august from Seville. It was hot but coming from an Australian autumn I didn't find it a problem and I rarely carried more than 1 litre of water..and yes sometimes I was thirsty but you aren't crossing the sahara. I ended up meeting 2 Swedes in Galicia and it was COLD so much so that we all bought gloves in Mombuey.
I hate walking in rain or cold so my preference is summer..no crowds

 

[camino07]

For me ,just after Easter.