Which Camino route to walk?

[linde]

Dear pilgrims,

I'd like to receive some advice on which route camino to walk or not to walk.
I'm having some months off and my legs are ready! I could leave now-ish.

Important aspects for me are the weather in winter time (not too rainy/snowy), opened albergues that are affordable and landscape. I love forests.
I have already walked the Portuguese route Lisbon-Porto.
I am very happy with any related advice. Thank you!

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Visit the Eroski and Gronze sites for albergue availability, also,this site for the Frances in particular:

http://www.aprinca.com/alberguesinvierno/

 

[Deleted member 3000]

The Camino Frances is most convenient in winter. Enough albergues are open, and there will be a few other pilgrims, with the number increasing in March. You may want to start in Pamplona to avoid the Pyrenees weather. Only the Valcarlos Route is open until April. Buen camino (again).

 

[mspath]

The Camino Frances is most convenient in winter. Enough albergues are open, and there will be a few other pilgrims, with the number increasing in March. You may want to start in Pamplona to avoid the Pyrenees weather. Only the Valcarlos Route is open until April. Buen camino (again).

Even if you do avoid the Pyrenees weather other difficult CF stretches after winter storms might be the Alto del Perdon, Najera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada or across the Montes de Oca from Villafranca as well as Monte Irago and, of course, to and from O Cebreiro.

Be sure to always ask local hospitaleros for current weather forecasts regarding the trail.

 

[linde]

Thanks for your help and suggestions, everyone. I appreciate alot!

 

[Kanga]

Definitely the Camino Francés at this time of year for a first time camino. It has the infrastructure and support needed.

 

[linde]

Thank you for responding. I was also thinking on the camino del Norte, does anyone of you have experience doing that route in winter time?

 

[domigee]

Thank you for responding. I was also thinking on the camino del Norte, does anyone of you have experience doing that route in winter time?

Hi Linde,
I think everyone was suggesting the Camino francés rather than the Norte, in this season....
But please head up the advice above, check with the hospitaleros what the weather ahead is like. There might be difficult stretches ie snow, blizzards maybe in the mountains even if you avoid the Pyrénées (Montes de Oca, O'Cebreiro...).
It is snowing right now in Navarra...
Buen camino whatever you choose.

 

[peregrino_tom]

Hi Linde
Given that you chose Lisbon to Porto as your first caminho, I reckon you might be drawn more to the off-beat options?
I hope someone who has walked the Norte this time of year comes onto the thread and is able to give you the real low-down.
But failing that, I think if you want an adventure, then do it!
Best to do a little research on Gronze and Eroski sites and be prepared to spend more money on accommodation as a lot of the seasonal albergues won't be open. For instance, I'd guess the Irun albergue, where most people pick up a pilgrim passport, will be closed for the seaon by now. Speaking some Spanish would make it a lot more manageable.
And finally, if it proves to be too difficult then you can always jump on a bus over to the Frances.
And don't forget to let us know what you found!
Cheers, tom

 

[jsalt]

Hi Linde, all the municipal albergues (5 or 6 euros per night) after Ribadesella on the Norte were open when I walked in November last year. In the 3 weeks from there to Santiago I stayed in alternative accommodation only on 4 nights: in Colunga, Muros, Navia and Mondonedo.

There is an albergue in Mondonedo as well – but my camino buddies and I had veered into the Restaurant Padornelo at the beginning of town, for a late lunch and to get out of the pouring rain. As they had cheap single rooms, we decided to treat ourselves and stay put.
Jill