Winter Camino Water

[Malachiuri]

Howdy all,

I am preparing for a January camino and have a quick question about water in winter that all my searches have left unanswered.

Here in the midwest of the US the public water sources are typically closed down from October to April to avoid the possibility of freezing pipes.

Are the public water sources we all rely on so often along the Camino available during the winter? While I have no issues asking for water at bars and such, it is nice to have the fonts.

Thanks all,

M

 

[amancio]

Interesting... we would not have that danger of pipes freezing. This said, there are few and distant intermediate services in the WILDEST Camino you can take in Galicia, since quite a few of the small towns are simply not populated. Just plan things ahead, and enjoy an amazing Camino, possibly with some of the best breads in the whole of Spain. Beautiful!

 

[Rebekah Scott]

I live in a Meseta village. Our fuente is always available, even when it's frozen-over, as it's spring-fed. You chip away the ice and you'll get a flow of perfectly potable water.
I deal with more pilgrims in winter than summer, and none has ever mentioned any trouble getting water.

 

[Galway girl]

Good

 

[Malachiuri]

Thanks for the great info.

After walking a summer and then a spring camino, I am really looking forward to the rigors of a winter trek. My happiest times are hiking through snow and sleet and I hope the Camino does not disappoint me.

On the down side, I am used to a base weight for my pack of under 10lbs. Winter gear is pushing it over 13lbs. Darnit...

M

 

[Deleted member 43985]

I had a great deal of trouble finding open fountains in Jan 2018 for the first 7-10 days out of Roncesvalles. They were all shut off and because it was winter I had trouble finding open stores or bars outside the major cities. Some days I had to resort to eating snow because I was getting really thirsty/dehydrated.