Weather in March, Camino Frances, Leon-Santiago - your experience?

[TheBigT]

I am planning on completing my CF from Leon to Santiago in March 2024. I can see the monthly average temperature etc. online but was interested in the experience of others. If you have done this section in March, please share your perceptions and lessons learned, thanks!

 

[C clearly]

The averages are perhaps not as helpful as the normal ranges. In March I experienced cold, warm, sun, and rain. My advice is to go prepared for it all, by planning layers that can be combined in different ways to suit the circumstances, and still leave you with something warm and dry for the evening.

 

[trecile]

Here's a thread of reports of people walking in March

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/on-the-camino-on-this-date-in-march.69486/

 

[julia-t]

In 2017 i left Astorga in hot sunshine, needing sunscreen and mopping sweat with my buff - a few days later I woke in Laguna di Castillo (sp?) to six inches of snow. Those few km up to O Cebreiro were quite magical, as was the village under deep snow, but not long after that it became tiring and uncomfortable until I eventually called a taxi in Fonfria because conditions were deteriorating and the albergues were closed. That day it was wearing the buff as a balaclava and socks for gloves.
So expect a variety of weather and be prepared!

 

[TheBigT]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I started the CF last March 3 (2023) and it was snow for the first two days, cool into Pamplona and then warm all the way. Sounds like the I will almost certainly need the gloves, beanie etc. sounds wonderful, in fact

 

[tjz]

We always walk in March/April and I've learned to have the layers needed for both a snowstorm and baking sun. Springtime in Spain is about as predictable as here in Colorado, which means it's completely unpredictable. As you say, if prepared, it is wonderful in a way. One of our favorite legs on the Caminos we've done was the very first day on our very first Camino, and my wife's very first time in Europe: we walked from SJPdP to Roncevalles in a snowstorm. But I also loved our time walking through the Meseta in shirt sleeves and sunshine. It's all good!