I'm not an expert, but don't think those are the busiest months for that section. You could also aim to start mid-week as obviously weekends will be busiest when most people start from there. Even if it is busy in Sarria it will thin out a bit, and you could look up the quieter places to stay.
I had a nice quiet walk from Melide to Santiago (the busiest stretch of that last 100 km as the pilgrims who have walked the Frances are joined by those that have walked the Primitvo) last summer. Lots of time in solitude, most of the rest with only one or two pilgrims in sight, very few crowds. I managed this by staying "off-stage", in Salceda and Lavacolla instead of Arzua and O Pedrouzo. This section doesn't have to be busy.
I'll bite. Just under 30,000 recorded as having walked the Camino Frances in the Compostela figures for June last year. All of those will have walked at least the final 100km. So on average about 1,000 people per day on each of those final stages. If you let the breakfast time rush get well ahead and set off a little later then it may not seem quite so busy. Booking a bed in advance may be your best bet in that case.
Like @David Tallan I joined the Francés from the Primitivo at Melide last year in late June. The group that I was walking with had been starting between 7:00 and 7:30 each morning, which apparently was much later in the morning than those who had been on the Francés - when we woke up to leave at our usual 7:00 am all of the other pilgrims were long gone. We walked for at least an hour and the only other pilgrims that we saw until we reached a village/bar was a couple that also had been on the Primitivo.
I am 78 and a slow walker and walked from Sarris in late September early October last year. Not the busiest time but still a good number of pilgrims. Regardless, I would recommend that you stick with your plan. I spent ten days, two days in Sarria for jet lag and touring and then eight nights on the trail. A wonderful route, lots of support, pretty landscapes and towns, good infrastructure and great food. It’s a great section of the Camino and recommend it highly, giving it 4.5 clams on the coveted Five Quahog Rating Scale. If you want to see a series of videos on my Camino look for my vlogs “buddhastirsmycoffee” on YouTube.
Ribadeo on Camino del Norte to Compsotela. Long enough to get certificate and beautiful walk with few people. Joins the Frances for the last b1-2 days.
Ive walked the CF from (late September-Oct.) SJPDP to Burgos and Sarria to Santiago (March 2023). Sarria to Santiago: disappointed- scenery drab, most towns not charming, weather horrible that time of year: never again: you asked for opinions….
Seems not. Very little change over the past 10 years. Last year the pilgrim office recorded 3,683 pilgrims as beginning in Ourense. Ten years earlier it was 3,222 even though the grand total for 2013 was only half that for last year.
Some of us are just as happy to have the route entirely to ourselves. Although I do enjoy most of my occasional contacts with other pilgrims I am not actively looking for "community" when I walk the Caminos.
Hi Ellie, I did this stretch with my hubby around the same time a few years ago. I had done it solo, & a few other sections too, but I thought this would be a good one for him. Maybe we were 'lucky'?, but I don't remember it being overly busy. It is the CF after all; the most popular route; so there will be 'crowds' sometime. I guess it depends what you're looking for, & we did get some 'solitude' time, believe it or not. Anyways, he did enjoy it! Finisterre is my favourite section. I've done it 3 times (2x solo), & hubby & I are heading back there in the summer. It's another section to maybe consider? Hope you both enjoy the 'journey'. Bon Camino
