450,000 Pilgrims

[JLV]

Wow, that's a lot of folks! Can you find time for solitude ? I would think the majority are on the Frances.

 

[Bradypus]

450,000? You are way out of date. The running total so far this year is very nearly half a million! About half of those have walked the Camino Frances. But most of those only on the section after Sarria.

 

[JLV]

450,000? You are way out of date. The running total so far this year is very nearly half a million! About half of those have walked the Camino Frances. But most of those only on the section after Sarria.

View attachment 182631

Sorry I didn't notice the date of the posting. 447,704

 

[Martin 888]

If you’re counting actual peregrinos, the official number is minus two because I walked into Santiago 3 times this year from different routes and collected 3 compostelas…….now safely tucked in the tube with my others !

 

[mncsr1961]

When is the best time to walk the France route, considering weather, amount of people and availability of services? Thank you

 

[J Willhaus]

When is the best time to walk the France route, considering weather, amount of people and availability of services? Thank you

I think that depends on many factors. When can you go? What are your preferences?

I like the fall and winter months (November to early April) due to cooler weather and fewer pilgrims. There are trade offs such as fewer services, but there always seems to be a place to stay.

June or October would be my choice for warmer months. May and Septmber are very busy months. July and August are pretty hot for walking.

I encourage you to read some of the many threads with this similar question before you make your plans.

 

[Tincatinker]

When is the best time to walk the France route, considering weather, amount of people and availability of services? Thank you

Somewhere between 1985 and 1995?

Otherwise you’ll have to be a bit more specific. What sort of weather, how much company and what level of service would you prefer?

A few years ago I would have answered your question with a trite “whenever you can”. On a 700km stroll across Northern Spain at elevations ranging from sea-level to 1400 metres the weather is unpredictable more than two or three days in advance. There will be more pilgrims in the summer than in the winter and there will be services available to meet that seasonal demand.

So, maybe my old answer is still valid. If you have time and opportunity to walk a pilgrimage to the shrine of Santiago go, walk. The rest is just stuff

 

[bigcaminolover]

I’m torn about statistics…
In a way, I’d really like to have access to more details statistics such as age, gender, start date, starting point etc.
On the other hand, I hate digitalisation of the Camino, it’s be nicer as a more analog experience

 

[Bradypus]

I’m torn about statistics…
In a way, I’d really like to have access to more details statistics such as age, gender, start date, starting point etc.
On the other hand, I hate digitalisation of the Camino, it’s be nicer as a more analog experience

If you do decide that you want a detailed breakdown of statistics by age range, route, month, nationality and so on the pilgrim office statistics pages have a vast amount of data and filters for narrowing it down. Another site with a lot of statistical information including daily arrival figures by route is Solviturambulando.

Statistics | Pilgrim's welcome office

oficinadelperegrino.com

Solvitur Ambulando

Let me combine my passion for the Camino de Santiago with a little bit of technical and engineering skills following the philosophy of "Solvitur Ambulando".

solviturambulando.es

 

[MTtoCamino]

Part of walking this pilgrimage is the wonderful way you have to you have to use your mind to work thru obstacles so it does not matter the statistics. The reason folks worry is due to fear. Use faith to understand no matter what the obstacles you can do this.

 

[trecile]

When is the best time to walk the France route, considering weather, amount of people and availability of services? Thank you

This thread could be helpful

Thread 'A tale of two Caminos - What about those crowds?'

May 3, 2023

And they are both the Camino Francés!

Lastly, I would like every newby to be informed that the high season in the first section of the CF is not the Summer at all: the high season are May and September, while the Summer (August and especially July) are the low season; it's not like that at all in the last section of the CF (Galicia), where the Summer months are the busiest ones.

As @Juanma says, the high (crowded) seasons of the first 700 km of the Camino Francés are in May and September, (and it seems increasingly in April), while the high season of the last 100 km...

• trecile
• faq statistics
• Replies: 36
• Camino de Santiago Forum: 🇪🇸 Camino FRANCÉS (Most popular route)

• 
• 

 

[bigcaminolover]

If you do decide that you want a detailed breakdown of statistics by age range, route, month, nationality and so on the pilgrim office statistics pages have a vast amount of data and filters for narrowing it down. Another site with a lot of statistical information including daily arrival figures by route is Solviturambulando.

Honestly, I'm struggling with the official website (and I work in tech)... I want to see, for example, number of American pilgrims who have done Camino Primitivo in 2024, by foot, starting in Oviedo for religious reasons... I can't seem to build such a query since whenever I select a filters get de-selected

 

[Tincatinker]

I want to see, for example, number of American pilgrims who have done Camino Primitivo in 2024, by foot, starting in Oviedo

Why? What possible difference could such knowledge make to your own pilgrimage?Are you trying to avoid or seeking the comfort of such a sub-group?

I can advise you that an inebriate anarcho-pagan can be encountered in Spring or occasionally late Summer on the Camino Primitivo. Which information is not available from the Pilgrim Office statistics because it is not recorded. Nonetheless it happens.

If you want to make Camino, if you want to make a pilgrimage to the shrine of Santiago, go, do it. And enjoy every surprise

 

[bigcaminolover]

Why? What possible difference could such knowledge make to your own pilgrimage?Are you trying to avoid or seeking the comfort of such a sub-group?

So, just to give an example, if I want to meet English-speaking people around the same age as me, who are undertaking the pilgrimage by foot and doing it for religious reasons... Or, as another example, if I want to practice my Spanish, I want to be around many Spanish-speaking people...
But as I said earlier,

I’m torn about statistics…
In a way, I’d really like to have access to more details statistics such as age, gender, start date, starting point etc.
On the other hand, I hate digitalisation of the Camino, it’s be nicer as a more analog experience

 

[SabsP]

So, just to give an example, if I want to meet English-speaking people around the same age as me, who are undertaking the pilgrimage by foot and doing it for religious reasons... Or, as another example, if I want to practice my Spanish, I want to be around many Spanish-speaking people...
But as I said earlier,

But what a unexpected joy it might be if you meet up with an agnost who does not speak Spanish? A random example.
Btw if you want to speak Spanish : choose a lesser walked Camino like the Camino del Ebro where you will most likely meet more locals than fellow pilgrims .So more than enough time to engage in Spanish.

Meeting people out of my normal social bubble makes a Camino so precious.

 

[JavierLeon]

Honestly, I'm struggling with the official website (and I work in tech)... I want to see, for example, number of American pilgrims who have done Camino Primitivo in 2024, by foot, starting in Oviedo for religious reasons... I can't seem to build such a query since whenever I select a filters get de-selected

Something like this...?
You can try it here (Full Monthly Stats) and here (Daily Arrivals Aggregated). Unfortunately, I have not included the reason for the pilgrimage as a filter.

 

[JavierLeon]

450,000? You are way out of date. The running total so far this year is very nearly half a million! About half of those have walked the Camino Frances. But most of those only on the section after Sarria.

View attachment 182631

By days...

 

[bigcaminolover]

Something like this...?
You can try it here (Full Monthly Stats) and here (Daily Arrivals Aggregated). Unfortunately, I have not included the reason for the pilgrimage as a filter.

View attachment 182641

Do you have the CSV data by any chance?

 

[Tincatinker]

So, just to give an example, if I want to meet English-speaking people around the same age as me, who are undertaking the pilgrimage by foot and doing it for religious reasons... Or, as another example, if I want to practice my Spanish, I want to be around many Spanish-speaking people...
But as I said earlier,

So. As I said. Go, walk Camino. All your desires can be met. They, all those people, are all out there making their way to Santiago but you will never meet them unless you just choose a day and go

 

[trecile]

So, just to give an example, if I want to meet English-speaking people around the same age as me, who are undertaking the pilgrimage by foot and doing it for religious reasons... Or, as another example, if I want to practice my Spanish, I want to be around many Spanish-speaking people...
But as I said earlier,

Past statistics are no guarantee of who you will encounter in the future.

 

[mncsr1961]

Somewhere between 1985 and 1995?

Otherwise you’ll have to be a bit more specific. What sort of weather, how much company and what level of service would you prefer?

A few years ago I would have answered your question with a trite “whenever you can”. On a 700km stroll across Northern Spain at elevations ranging from sea-level to 1400 metres the weather is unpredictable more than two or three days in advance. There will be more pilgrims in the summer than in the winter and there will be services available to meet that seasonal demand.

So, maybe my old answer is still valid. If you have time and opportunity to walk a pilgrimage to the shrine of Santiago go, walk. The rest is just stuff

I’m retired so, time or date is not a factor. My main concern is weather conditions, crowds and availability of services. I’m not really interested in walking in the winter. My preferred route would be from France. Thank you

 

[PelegrinNikolai]

I watched a video on Youtube that summed up the Frances demographics - that in spring = more Spanish, summer = lots of Europeans and younger people, autumn = lots of Americans, Canadians & older folk from all over the world. In winter it was recommended that you can speak some Spanish since that is mostly who you will be talking to.

But just pick a date and do it! If I ever do the Frances I'd choose to leave in either March, early April (my preference), mid-May or October. I suffer in hot heat enough here so I'd probably never go to Spain in summer, let alone do a Camino in it. But on the other hand - summer is when there is the maximum services, tons of cultural events, long days and you can pack a lot lighter....

I'll be on the Norte this coming year during Easter.... I'm anticipating crowds !

 

[Tincatinker]

I’m retired so, time or date is not a factor. My main concern is weather conditions, crowds and availability of services. I’m not really interested in walking in the winter. My preferred route would be from France. Thank you

Ok, that really helps. If you want to walk the Camino Frances, have plenty of facilities open and welcoming and have some company on the way but avoiding a “follow the pilgrim in front” scenario then I’d suggest that in 2025 you plan to start mid-May. 7th, 14th, 21st or 28th would all be good starting days.

You’ll find a whole mix of peoples. Probably a mix of the wrinkly and the wide-eyed innocent. But it’s best just to look at anyone you encounter as a pilgrim. And, if you have no language in common pointing and smiling works well enough

 

[Sminn]

I’m retired so, time or date is not a factor. My main concern is weather conditions, crowds and availability of services. I’m not really interested in walking in the winter. My preferred route would be from France. Thank you

April 10.

 

[Gerard Griffin]

If you’re counting actual peregrinos, the official number is minus two because I walked into Santiago 3 times this year from different routes and collected 3 compostelas…….now safely tucked in the tube with my others !

Numerically I think it balances out. I went to SDC 3 times this year also, and didn't seek a credentials; as Monty Python's French knight said to King Arthur, "No thanks, we already got one!" (exaggerated French accent here. I wouldn't go quite so far as to
quote the Mexican bandito in Sierra Madre: "Credential? We no need no steenking credential!"

 

[Tincatinker]

@Gerard Griffin I think you mean Compostelas. Credentials are what you need for the Court of St James and other similar institutions

 

[Gerard Griffin]

Indeed, @Tincatinker, you're right as usual. But same difference; I prefer the Granon approach, where the sello is on the heart. Not from a cafe, or an office, or through a bureaucracy, clerical or otherwise.

 

[r utter]

Numerically I think it balances out. I went to SDC 3 times this year also, and didn't seek a credentials; as Monty Python's French knight said to King Arthur, "No thanks, we already got one!" (exaggerated French accent here. I wouldn't go quite so far as to
quote the Mexican bandito in Sierra Madre: "Credential? We no need no steenking credential!"

I laughed out loud, seeing paraphrasing from the Treasure of the Sierra Madre. I'm one of those that has to have the credential and has to get it stamped but I've walked with pilgrims who didn't bother with that sort of thing which is a great balance. I'm all for people who don't need a credential and don't see the compostela. And share a laugh with me.

 

[r utter]

Oops, should be "don't seek the compostela." Am still smiling.

 

[Joseph Carmona]

If you’re counting actual peregrinos, the official number is minus two because I walked into Santiago 3 times this year from different routes and collected 3 compostelas…….now safely tucked in the tube with my others !

It seems that there's a growing number completing multiple Caminos as I did walked into Santiago five times for five compostelas in April and May

 

[Gerard Griffin]

Oops, should be "don't seek the compostela." Am still smiling.

Don't worry, we're all affected by the modern obsession with certificates of completion for just about everything. Walking 5k. Self-improvement workshops. Inclusivity training. Licences for your car and your TV and your dog and your marriage. Everything but the real thing itself. Walter Raleigh (perhaps the last great English mystic) put it well when he said:

"But true love is a durable fire
In the heart ever burning
Never sick, never old, never cold
In the heart ever burning"

 

[wellwalk]

I think that depends on many factors. When can you go? What are your preferences?

I like the fall and winter months (November to early April) due to cooler weather and fewer pilgrims. There are trade offs such as fewer services, but there always seems to be a place to stay.

June or October would be my choice for warmer months. May and Septmber are very busy months. July and August are pretty hot for walking.

I encourage you to read some of the many threads with this similar question before you make your plans.

If you’re looking for some solitude and contemplative walking, I’d avoid going when gangs of young students out out in force — July and August. Unsupervised teenagers can be loud and obnoxious … That was my experience…

 

[Canche]

Why? What possible difference could such knowledge make to your own pilgrimage?Are you trying to avoid or seeking the comfort of such a sub-group?

I can advise you that an inebriate anarcho-pagan can be encountered in Spring or occasionally late Summer on the Camino Primitivo. Which information is not available from the Pilgrim Office statistics because it is not recorded. Nonetheless it happens.

If you want to make Camino, if you want to make a pilgrimage to the shrine of Santiago, go, do it. And enjoy every surprise

 

[Bradypus]

The pilgrim office daily Compostela counter ended today as 183. Which I think brings the total for 2024 to 499,239. Not quite the half-million which some had predicted but pretty close!

 

[Gerard Griffin]

The more the merrier. Because there is not a single pilgrim ... not the tourigrini, hobogrini, plutocrats, sybarites, hook-up artists, boozers, hikers, busloaders ... not one, who isn't touched on the Way by the spirit, and even in the tiniest way transformed.

 

[Tincatinker]

Me and the Beloved walked the Ingles this Autumn. We went to the cathedral and I paid my respects. I didn’t claim a Compostela, nor did the Beloved. Two pilgrims missing from the stats.

Would anyone care to hazard a guess as to how many more pilgrims are missing from the PO’s count?

C’mon my lovelies. How many of this blessed membership slid right past that door last year?

 

[Bradypus]

Would anyone care to hazard a guess as to how many more pilgrims are missing from the PO’s count?

A few news articles in the past couple of days have suggested that only 1 in 3 pilgrims to Santiago receive a Compostela. Describing the nearly half-million as the tip of an iceberg. I've seen other claims that the number who do not receive a Compostela is about 10%. The huge gap between those estimates is probably due to different definitions of "pilgrim". Personally I think there are far more pilgrims to Santiago each year than people who meet the current Compostela rules or choose to ask for one.

Más extranjeros que españoles: Santiago cierra el año con récord histórico de peregrinos y medio millón de 'compostelas'

La cifra es solo la punta del iceberg. Los expertos creen que solo un tercio de los peregrinos que llegan a Santiago cogen su 'compostela'

www.elcorreogallego.es

 

[J Willhaus]

Me and the Beloved walked the Ingles this Autumn. We went to the cathedral and I paid my respects. I didn’t claim a Compostela, nor did the Beloved. Two pilgrims missing from the stats.

Would anyone care to hazard a guess as to how many more pilgrims are missing from the PO’s count?

C’mon my lovelies. How many of this blessed membership slid right past that door last year?

I requested and received a compostella in January 2024 as well as another one in 2023. We don't often end in Santiago as our Camino volunteer assignments take up at least 2 weeks and don't always allow us time to reach the bones of the Saint. When we can get there it seems prudent to ask for a compostella.