When to walk VDLP

[Susan B Johnson]

I've walked 2 Caminos in the past, but that was in May/June, so the temps were perfect in Galicia. I'm considering VDLP for my next Camino, and I'm wondering if it would be warm enough in March.

 

[Anniesantiago]

April/May was lovely last time I walked it

 

[C clearly]

I'm wondering if it would be warm enough in March.

Warm enough for what?
I started in Seville on March 18, 2017. The weather was very good throughout my walk to Astorga, with only a couple of days of rain. Other years it isn't good in March. Or April. Then sometimes it's too hot in May.

Some mornings were quite chilly but it warmed up to perfect walking temperatures during the day. Take a sleeping bag and layers, layers, layers.

I thought mid-March was great, but the wild flowers would be better in April-May.

 

[Deleted member 73526]

May/June, so the temps were perfect in Galicia.

Of course, one year can be very different from another, so there's no way to predict exactly what weather you'll get. If May/Jun is good for you in Galicia, perhaps you should start walking from Seville in early- to mid-April.

 

[happymarkos]

I've walked 2 Caminos in the past, but that was in May/June, so the temps were perfect in Galicia. I'm considering VDLP for my next Camino, and I'm wondering if it would be warm enough in March.

It’s a lottery. In March 2018 it was heavily flooded in early to mid March.
By early April it was hot by Salamanca and need to finish by 2-3 pm.
In 2019 people coming into Salamanca in April were trudging through snow.
So no way of knowing. Agree just be prepared for both cold and hot.
I will start in Zamora 30 March and be prepared for rain, cold and heat!
Buen Camino
Mark

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

I'm glad someone asked this question and I have read the responses, which all make perfect sense. Allow me to ask then...When should someone NOT want to walk the VDLP? (What months to avoid)

 

[C clearly]

When should someone NOT want to walk the VDLP? (What months to avoid)

Many would say June, July, August, September are too hot. However, I know at least one person on the forum who regularly enjoys the southern routes in mid-summer.

 

[André Walker]

When should someone NOT want to walk the VDLP? (What months to avoid)

It's quite personal of course. I started my VdlP last year the third week of August, thinking "It's almost September, so fall is getting close". That was a bit naive. When I started, temperatures would reach 48 Celsius (118 Fahrenheit).

That was hot. I seriously considered 'moving' to the Camino Portugues or the Del Norte. Instead, I decided to give it a try and really liked starting to walk at 3 am, taking advantage of the full moon. Those night walks proved to be the most wonderful experience I've had on my Camino's. So different from walking during the day (also spiritually).

But I also met others who just walked like they would otherwise. They'd just give in to the sweating and take precautions (lots of water, covering the head and skin) and they were just fine.

So it really depends on your preferences. But, as always: safety first!!

 

[Deleted member 73526]

Many would say June, July, August, September are too hot. However, I know at least one person on the forum who regularly enjoys the southern routes in mid-summer.

Indeed. One could also issue a general warning about mid-winter, when some facilities are closed and temperatures are freezing. But there are some people who thrive on that kind of pilgrimage too. My guess is that there are more mid-winter walkers than there are mid-summer walkers, but I don't have any data on that.

 

[Simon B]

I've walked 2 Caminos in the past, but that was in May/June, so the temps were perfect in Galicia. I'm considering VDLP for my next Camino, and I'm wondering if it would be warm enough in March.

Last year I started from Seville in mid-March and it was for me very hot. Only managed five days walking to Fuente de Cantos and had to stop due to extreme blisters [first I have ever had]. Think the heat was partially to blame. Starting again in 2020 from FdC on 5 Feb but knowing my luck the weather will be completely different - so something of a lottery.

 

[Donna Sch]

I would avoid July and August in Extremadura. There is a reason it is known as the Frypan of Europe!
February had better weather than March this year but in 2018 there were blizzards. The locals are saying that Spring seems to be kicking in sooner ever year. So you need to have a broad range of gear.

 

[Anton Muhlbock]

hi i have started 28 of feb it was cold but nice VDLP is great you will enjoy

 

[peregrina2000]

Check out the posts from a forum member walking now! Sounds like the temps are perfect, even a bit warmer than my ideal. But I would love to be there!

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/vdlp-in-december-is-a-lonely-way.65781/#post-809645

 

[domigee]

Check out the posts from a forum member walking now! Sounds like the temps are perfect, even a bit warmer than my ideal. But I would love to be there!

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/vdlp-in-december-is-a-lonely-way.65781/#post-809645

Me too!

 

[WisTom]

Started this past February 11. I was told that the year before (2018) some stages were closed due to snow. This year, the weather could not have been better. Although I saw few pilgrims, I found the experience to be beyond my expectations. Very different from the Francés, with a number of longer stages (including several of 40+ km and many in the 30-35 km range). As much as I enjoyed walking the Francés from SJPP in March/April of 2017, I would say that this camino was, for me, even more memorable.

 

[geraldkelly]

March is a good time to start from Seville but remember that the Via is 1000km long and from south to north, so it passes through several different climate zones which means you could possibly experience every type of weather imaginable.

Gerald

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

March is a good time to start from Seville but remember that the Via is 1000km long and from south to north, so it passes through several different climate zones which means you could possibly experience every type of weather imaginable.

Gerald

I am now realizing this to be true. Thank you for mentioning this fact.

 

[Robo]

Last year I started from Seville in mid-March and it was for me very hot. Only managed five days walking to Fuente de Cantos and had to stop due to extreme blisters [first I have ever had]. Think the heat was partially to blame. Starting again in 2020 from FdC on 5 Feb but knowing my luck the weather will be completely different - so something of a lottery.

How hot was hot?