Camino Frances Fall Scheduling

[JamesGeier]

I walked the Camino Frances from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela and the Camino Finisterre to Finisterre last spring, starting April 18 and ending May 26, 2016. I enjoyed the beauty of northern Spain in springtime - it was magnificent. It was not hot, there were only two days where I walked in short sleeves, most days I had long sleeves, and most mornings I wore a jacket.

I am planning on repeating the Camino Frances this year, and had intended on starting in April to walk across Spain in the spring again. Due to a work-related project for which I am responsible competing for my time in the spring, I am revising my plans to make the walk in the early fall. My schedule is quite open, I was considering the following two similar schedules:

1. Start from St. Jean PdP on August 27, arriving in Santiago on October 1
2. Start from St. Jean PdP on September 3, arriving in Santiago on October 8

Is this a good time to walk the Camino Frances? Will it be too hot or uncomfortable to start in late August? Would delaying even a week more to start on September 10 be even better, or will it be getting cold in mid-October in Galicia? What is it like to walk the Camino Frances in the fall?

Thank-you,
--jim--

 

[mspath]

JimGeier,

October/November is a great time to walk with generally golden days and cool nights. Do be aware however that many albergues start to close mid October. For lots of personal commentary regarding walking at this time including a kit list see my Camino Gazetteer blog.

For what others have posted re Autumn walking see this earlier Forum thread.

Happy planning and Buen Camino!

 

[cher99840]

I think the later the better. I walked in September/October, 2013. September was much too hot for me and October was perfect. This year I am going in April / May (and hope I don't run into the mud that you did). I suspect it will be the reverse---better temps for me in April and a bit too warm in May.

 

[Sindoors]

My group is arriving to Santiago on October 1 so hopefully see you along the way.

 

[Mooncat]

Jim, I walked the Camino starting the first of Sept. and ending early Oct. 2015. It was lovely and relatively dry. I did not take a knit cap or light gloves and those were my only regrets. On several mornings, the temperature must have been close to 40F. During the day, it was usually in the 70sF. When it rains in Spain, it is intense and lasts for a long time, sometimes several days continuous. I only had two of those episodes in the Fall. And, actually, they were wonderful experiences too. In the Fall, there are ripe figs and blackberries along the trail. All of the grapevines are full and are being harvested. Fruit stands have a good selection to go with your Ruffles al sabor de Jamon. I am seriously considering venturing back in early Sept. for a second Camino too.

 

[Kbierstube]

@JimGeier and @Sindoors , we'll all be traveling st the same time. I'm 8/29-10/6. See ya there!

 

[Anemone del Camino]

When I've walked in the fall I did so starting on the last week of September intil mid-October and it was hot. Day time temps in the low thirties were still the norm. You wouldn't find me in August to Mid-September in walking in Spain as I dislike the heat.

 

[WildPlace]

Hi Jim, I'm walking out of SJPdP on the 3rd September - I have walked from there twice in early September and the weather was mostly sunny and hot! I kept my days fairly short as I'm not so good in the heat and will do the same this year - i'm not planning to reach Santiago until at least mid-October when the weather should be cooler and probably wetter - I take it slowly when it's hot as i'm acclimatised to the weather of a small island in the north-west of Scotland (cool, wet and windy!)!

Whichever you decide on, buen camino!

 

[HedaP]

15 September to 31 October 2015. Only got really cool towards the very end. Early mornings generally beautiful but some very hot afternoons especially in the first half of the walk. I carried a set of thermals and used the pants once for a short time one frosty morning in late October and the top not at all. I did use gloves on many mornings especially towards the end. Rarely wore my fleece. But did wear my rain jacket as a warm layer most mornings and most evenings. Used my trusty umbrella for sun protection virtually every day (barring wind) until probably the last week and then I used it to keep me dry.

 

[Trevor Batley]

And it doesn't always get cold towards the end of October...
The 3 days we walked from Santiago to Fistera (29, 30 & 31 October 2016) were 26C (79F)!
But the weather varies significantly between years (2016 appears to have been very dry and mild until late, compared to many other years).
SJPdP 22 Sep - Fistera 31 Oct.