Primitivo 2025: April (Easter) and early May - weather & availabilities

[justynak]

After walking Frances this year, I'm looking to do the Primitivo in 2025. I would likely start around the Easter weekend so Apr 18 and plan c. three weeks, therefore end around May 9. I prefer solitude but happy to connect with other pilgrims on the way / in albergues. I'd go for a mix of albergues and sometimes private rooms. Definitely want to avoid crowds and high season. I'm seeking advice from more experienced pilgrims:

• Weather wise, based on my research I should expect rain, mud, potentially some snow, sun is also likely but not very high temperatures. I wonder if some passages like Hospitales might be not available. -> What's your view on walking this time of the year? What should I prepare for? Is it safe?
• Availability of albergues. I learned Primitivo has good but more sparse infrastructure than CF. Easter and early May are public holidays in Europe. -> Will albergues be open or will I find it difficult to find a place for the night?
• Anything else I should be aware of when planning the walk this time of the year when walking as a solo female?

Many thanks in advance!

*Edit: Easter weekend is Apr 18 - Apr 21; and I'd like to start in Oviedo and walk to Santiago (potentially switch to Camino Verde in later stages - opinions welcome!); if time/energy allows maybe even to Fisterra

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

I researched it for a similar time frame in '23 but ended up walking in July. My research basically showed the same as yours: weather can be very variable.

As far is the Hospitales is concerned the best advice seems to be always just to check the day before with your Hospitalero. Regardless as to the time of year.

Typically Albergues open from mid-march onward, it's very easy to look at Gronze just to check.

Time frame is very individualistic depending on how far you are comfortable walking each day, as most do it in 12-14 days you'll have plenty of time. Whilst many walk to Grado on the first day, if you're even remotely unsure about how you will cope I would highly recommend you stop five k's earlier at Paladin. The cafe restaurant was good, I'm told the albergue is excellent.
There's an excellent thread on prolonging this Camino (with shorter stages):

LIVE from the Camino Thread 'Caminó Primitivo 4/2024'

Apr 18, 2024

Hi all! Started today from Oviedo to Escamplero. Now I know, why so many people say it's a bit of a challenge to come out of Oviedo. I got lost just once, but was rescued by a very friendly guy. A short, but beautiful walk by great weather conditions - a bit cloudy, no rain and some sunshine. The Albergue in Escamplero is nearly empty and the food in the attached restaurant (Tendejon) is really good. More tomorrow.

• Thomas1

• 
• 

You might find this thread particularly relevant as Thomas started on April the 18th. Regardless it is a very worthwhile read, with lots of info.

Like many I walked the Verde after Lugo, highly recommended.

 

[CTLawGal]

After walking Frances this year, I'm looking to do the Primitivo in 2025. I would likely start around the Easter weekend so Apr 18 and plan c. three weeks, therefore end around May 9. I prefer solitude but happy to connect with other pilgrims on the way / in albergues. I'd go for a mix of albergues and sometimes private rooms. Definitely want to avoid crowds and high season. I'm seeking advice from more experienced pilgrims:

• Weather wise, based on my research I should expect rain, mud, potentially some snow, sun is also likely but not very high temperatures. I wonder if some passages like Hospitales might be not available. -> What's your view on walking this time of the year? What should I prepare for? Is it safe?
• Availability of albergues. I learned Primitivo has good but more sparse infrastructure than CF. Easter and early May are public holidays in Europe. -> Will albergues be open or will I find it difficult to find a place for the night?
• Anything else I should be aware of when planning the walk this time of the year when walking as a solo female?

Many thanks in advance!

*Edit: Easter weekend is Apr 18 - Apr 21; and I'd like to start in Oviedo and walk to Santiago (potentially switch to Camino Verde in later stages - opinions welcome!); if time/energy allows maybe even to Fisterra

I walked the Norte and Primitivo in that general timeframe in 2023, starting just after Easter, also solo female, age 64 at the time. I imagine that Primitivo weather in April is not all that different from Norte, but maybe I'm wrong on that due to higher altitudes on the Primitivo. The 4 days before I started walking were cold, wet and windy, and I remember being worried I would be walking in that weather. But then it cleared up and I had mostly dry walking with just few muddy spots, and just a few light rains; the weather was mild with a lot of warming, but not too hot, spring sun. I loved seeing the trees leaf-in and flowers blooming along the route - that may be a few weeks later on the Primitivo (?), but it was an unexpected treat I wasn't expecting. Of course it's hard to predict weather year-to-year, so I think you're right to plan on the weather as described - I'll be walking via Gebennensis and via Podiensis in that period, starting after Easter and I'm planning on similar weather conditions (maybe colder to start?), but hoping to get lucky and dreading the thought of weeks under a poncho.

My understanding is to be prepared that the Hospitales could be ruled out on the basis of weather even later in the year than the period you are considering, but others with more experience might have better advice.

 

[AK2112]

I did CP April 12th-27th in 2023. I had some rain, but mostly sunny/dry good temperatures. Not even close to see any snow.

Unfortunately I can not tell you anything about the weather in 2025.

CP has a lot fewer albergues than CF, but also a lot fewer pilegrims. (Might be more busy as you choose to walk during easter, I don´t know). Look to gronze.com for details on accomodation.

As other people wrote regarding Hospitales, you will know the day before you get there. I walked Hospitales in t-shirt and shorts, it was perfect.

 

[Sue127]

After walking Frances this year, I'm looking to do the Primitivo in 2025. I would likely start around the Easter weekend so Apr 18 and plan c. three weeks, therefore end around May 9. I prefer solitude but happy to connect with other pilgrims on the way / in albergues. I'd go for a mix of albergues and sometimes private rooms. Definitely want to avoid crowds and high season. I'm seeking advice from more experienced pilgrims:

• Weather wise, based on my research I should expect rain, mud, potentially some snow, sun is also likely but not very high temperatures. I wonder if some passages like Hospitales might be not available. -> What's your view on walking this time of the year? What should I prepare for? Is it safe?
• Availability of albergues. I learned Primitivo has good but more sparse infrastructure than CF. Easter and early May are public holidays in Europe. -> Will albergues be open or will I find it difficult to find a place for the night?
• Anything else I should be aware of when planning the walk this time of the year when walking as a solo female?

Many thanks in advance!

*Edit: Easter weekend is Apr 18 - Apr 21; and I'd like to start in Oviedo and walk to Santiago (potentially switch to Camino Verde in later stages - opinions welcome!); if time/energy allows maybe even to Fisterra

I will be following the replies as I'm planning on the same but will miss you as I plan to start 10 days later.

 

[Sue127]

I researched it for a similar time frame in '23 but ended up walking in July. My research basically showed the same as yours: weather can be very variable.

As far is the Hospitales is concerned the best advice seems to be always just to check the day before with your Hospitalero. Regardless as to the time of year.

Typically Albergues open from mid-march onward, it's very easy to look at Gronze just to check.

Time frame is very individualistic depending on how far you are comfortable walking each day, as most do it in 12-14 days you'll have plenty of time. Whilst many walk to Grado on the first day, if you're even remotely unsure about how you will cope I would highly recommend you stop five k's earlier at Paladin. The cafe restaurant was good, I'm told the albergue is excellent.
There's an excellent thread on prolonging this Camino (with shorter stages):

LIVE from the Camino Thread 'Caminó Primitivo 4/2024'

Apr 18, 2024

Hi all! Started today from Oviedo to Escamplero. Now I know, why so many people say it's a bit of a challenge to come out of Oviedo. I got lost just once, but was rescued by a very friendly guy. A short, but beautiful walk by great weather conditions - a bit cloudy, no rain and some sunshine. The Albergue in Escamplero is nearly empty and the food in the attached restaurant (Tendejon) is really good. More tomorrow.

• Thomas1

• 
• 

You might find this thread particularly relevant as Thomas started on April the 18th. Regardless it is a very worthwhile read, with lots of info.

Like many I walked the Verde after Lugo, highly recommended.

Thanks for the link - full of great suggestions for a less rushed Camino

 

[AK2112]

Hospitales April 17th 2023. Just a few weeks after the fire that burned down a lot of the vegetation. (Pic#2). You could still smell the fire.

 

[justynak]

I researched it for a similar time frame in '23 but ended up walking in July. My research basically showed the same as yours: weather can be very variable.

As far is the Hospitales is concerned the best advice seems to be always just to check the day before with your Hospitalero. Regardless as to the time of year.

Typically Albergues open from mid-march onward, it's very easy to look at Gronze just to check.

Time frame is very individualistic depending on how far you are comfortable walking each day, as most do it in 12-14 days you'll have plenty of time. Whilst many walk to Grado on the first day, if you're even remotely unsure about how you will cope I would highly recommend you stop five k's earlier at Paladin. The cafe restaurant was good, I'm told the albergue is excellent.
There's an excellent thread on prolonging this Camino (with shorter stages):

LIVE from the Camino Thread 'Caminó Primitivo 4/2024'

Apr 18, 2024

Hi all! Started today from Oviedo to Escamplero. Now I know, why so many people say it's a bit of a challenge to come out of Oviedo. I got lost just once, but was rescued by a very friendly guy. A short, but beautiful walk by great weather conditions - a bit cloudy, no rain and some sunshine. The Albergue in Escamplero is nearly empty and the food in the attached restaurant (Tendejon) is really good. More tomorrow.

• Thomas1

• 
• 

You might find this thread particularly relevant as Thomas started on April the 18th. Regardless it is a very worthwhile read, with lots of info.

Like many I walked the Verde after Lugo, highly recommended.

Thank you for this and sharing the link, I'll definitely look it up as I prepare. I'm still planning the dates but might be that I only can to April/May next year

 

[justynak]

I walked the Norte and Primitivo in that general timeframe in 2023, starting just after Easter, also solo female, age 64 at the time. I imagine that Primitivo weather in April is not all that different from Norte, but maybe I'm wrong on that due to higher altitudes on the Primitivo. The 4 days before I started walking were cold, wet and windy, and I remember being worried I would be walking in that weather. But then it cleared up and I had mostly dry walking with just few muddy spots, and just a few light rains; the weather was mild with a lot of warming, but not too hot, spring sun. I loved seeing the trees leaf-in and flowers blooming along the route - that may be a few weeks later on the Primitivo (?), but it was an unexpected treat I wasn't expecting. Of course it's hard to predict weather year-to-year, so I think you're right to plan on the weather as described - I'll be walking via Gebennensis and via Podiensis in that period, starting after Easter and I'm planning on similar weather conditions (maybe colder to start?), but hoping to get lucky and dreading the thought of weeks under a poncho.

My understanding is to be prepared that the Hospitales could be ruled out on the basis of weather even later in the year than the period you are considering, but others with more experience might have better advice.

Yes similar, I don't mind the rain but if it's raining week over week I'm not so keen! Thank you for the helpful response

 

[justynak]

I will be following the replies as I'm planning on the same but will miss you as I plan to start 10 days later.

Ah a shame! Buen Camino!