When to Walk?

[Frank66]

I am trying to schedule a start time for walking the full Camino Frances next year. I have an opportunity to start it in late April (I'm allowing 5 weeks) but wondered should I opt for a Mid May start which is also available to me.
Any thoughts on this??

 

[mspath]

May will be busier than April. May 1 is Labor Day throughout Europe and May 2 will also be a holiday since May 1, 2016 falls on a Sunday.

 

[tyrrek]

I think either way you'll be near the crest of the 'wave' of Spring pilgrims leaving SJPP. When exactly is busiest may depend as much on holiday dates in the major 'pilgrim producing' countries such as France, Germany etc. as anything else. The chance of better weather at the start will increase into May, but it could be very hot crossing the Meseta at the start of June. All in all, I don't think the extra couple of weeks would make that much difference. It's a beautiful time of year to walk.

 

[Kanga]

I have walked the CF in April and in May. Both were glorious. You are more likely to get cold weather and rain in April. But I have also had cold weather and rain in May! May is peak season for starting in SJPDP, so it could be crowded.

 

[kelleymac]

We walked from Leon last March/April. I was worried about the weather, but it was blue and sunny and gorgeous. We ran out of sun block, and my son developed prickly heat rash on his hands! We tried to walk in the shade, but the leaves were not out yet. -- The heather and gorse were blooming, the albergues were only about 1/4 full.

 

[Chriskey2015]

I walked from Igtuble to cadabdab that was a very memorable experience. So far promise.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

I am trying to schedule a start time for walking the full Camino Frances next year. I have an opportunity to start it in late April (I'm allowing 5 weeks) but wondered should I opt for a Mid May start which is also available to me.
Any thoughts on this??

Hi, I walked from the 18th of April till the 24th of May. I had a great time and it was not that busy.
I wish you well and a Buen Camino, Peter.

 

[Frank66]

I walked from Igtuble to cadabdab that was a very memorable experience. So far promise.

???

 

[Kanga]

@Frank66 give @Chriskey2015 some leeway! She has only just joined the forum and obviously had a typo. @Chriskey2015 welcome to the forum. If you need to you can edit your own posts - there is a little button underneath to do so.

 

[Anniesantiago]

April is a wonderful time to start!
The bedbugs haven't hatched and there are not so many pilgrims.
The wildflowers are beginning to bloom.
It's spectacular!

 

[MichaelB10398]

I am trying to schedule a start time for walking the full Camino Frances next year. I have an opportunity to start it in late April (I'm allowing 5 weeks) but wondered should I opt for a Mid May start which is also available to me.
Any thoughts on this??

Hello Frank, if it were me I would leave in April; however, choose the date that is most convenient for you and all will be well. You will have a great Camino.

 

[Jerry B]

I have walked the CF in April and in May. Both were glorious. You are more likely to get cold weather and rain in April. But I have also had cold weather and rain in May! May is peak season for starting in SJPDP, so it could be crowded.

hi,
I will be starting the 19th of august and had intended doing the camino frances ...Annie santiago had mentioned the camino madrid ... this sent me on a different path and i was looking at camino madrid than leon and oviedo to santiago ...any ideas as to the difference in weather as it seems madrid is a lot hotter but i like the idea of less people....txs