Camino Frances in the Fall

[Jajabo]

Hello peregrinos!

I’m new here, planning do embark on the Camino Francês with my husband next year. I have a personal story- my dad did the Camino back in 1998 and almost died in the Pyrenees, being kindly rescued by a French couple who offered him motivation, support and cognac. Now that he’s gone, we are paying homage to him and doing the Camino. We are planning to go next Fall/Autumn - what’s the weather like, any tips on the conditions, crowds, Pyrenees, Meseta, etc? Any info will be appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[Bradypus]

Worth bearing in mind that September is the busiest month for people setting out from SJPDP. Here are the monthly figures from the pilgrim office there. You may find it useful to reserve for your first few nights. There is less of a issue with accommodation after Pamplona.

 

[BROWNCOUNTYBOB]

Jajabo, my wife and I have hiked Camino Frances four times, from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago. Each time we've hiked from mid-Sept through late October. The trail is still a bit crowded in mid-Sept, but thins out after Pamplona. The weather is a wild card, never knowing if the morning will greet you with sunshine or pouring rain. We've allowed 35 hiking days. First camino we took one day off, the second camino two days off. Last two caminos we did not take any days off since we enjoy hiking and keeping active. Decisions for you to consider is whether to stay in municipal albergues or private rooms. Also, whether to carry your backpacks, or use a backpack transport service.

With regards to paying homage to a deceased relative, we decided to have laminated picture / prayer cards made up and hung them at four different points to honor my wife's deceased father and my deceased mother. For example, we hung one at Alto de Perdon, Cruz de Fiero, the cross at the hill top outside Atapuerca, and City gate leading into Santiago.

We are planning to hike again next fall, but only from Leon to Santiago. My 91 year old mother in law has serious health issues and we will hire a dog watcher to look after our two beagles.

Bob

 

[Jajabo]

Jajabo, my wife and I have hiked Camino Frances four times, from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago. Each time we've hiked from mid-Sept through late October. The trail is still a bit crowded in mid-Sept, but thins out after Pamplona. The weather is a wild card, never knowing if the morning will greet you with sunshine or pouring rain. We've allowed 35 hiking days. First camino we took one day off, the second camino two days off. Last two caminos we did not take any days off since we enjoy hiking and keeping active. Decisions for you to consider is whether to stay in municipal albergues or private rooms. Also, whether to carry your backpacks, or use a backpack transport service.

With regards to paying homage to a deceased relative, we decided to have laminated picture / prayer cards made up and hung them at four different points to honor my wife's deceased father and my deceased mother. For example, we hung one at Alto de Perdon, Cruz de Fiero, the cross at the hill top outside Atapuerca, and City gate leading into Santiago.

We are planning to hike again next fall, but only from Leon to Santiago. My 91 year old mother in law has serious health issues and we will hire a dog watcher to look after our two beagles.

Bob

Thanks for sharing your journeys! The way you and your wife have chosen to honor your family members sound really special.
*About crowds, when you hike in the Fall you said thst crowds thin out after Pamplona, do they pick back up, say, after the meseta? I’m also discussing if I’ll be able to take off this much time from work, and if we’ll need to skip part of the Camino - I wish I had a chance to do all of it but I imagine it’ll be equally as meaningful.

 

[Jajabo]

Worth bearing in mind that September is the busiest month for people setting out from SJPDP. Here are the monthly figures from the pilgrim office there. You may find it useful to reserve for your first few nights. There is less of a issue with accommodation after Pamplona.

View attachment 182345

Wow, very good to know! I wonder how inhospitable the weather is in October. Do you know? It sounds like it would be a great month to do the Camino and there are considerably less people.

 

[Bradypus]

I wonder how inhospitable the weather is in October. Do you know?

Very unpredictable but October is still quite popular. People walk from SJPDP all year round. From November to the end of March the higher level Route Napoleon is closed by law but the Valcarlos alternative is possible. I have walked that way in January.

 

[J Willhaus]

I don't know when your dad walked (what month) but the Route Napoleon is now closed from November to April due in part to the cost of rescues by local French and Spanish professional response teams (firemen etc.) Do you know which route your dad walked? There are two from St Jean.

 

[Jajabo]

I don't know when your dad walked (what month) but the Route Napoleon is now closed from November to April due in part to the cost of rescues by local French and Spanish professional response teams (firemen etc.) Do you know which route your dad walked? There are two from St Jean.

I’m waiting for all his Camino memorabilia to be shipped to me from home (Brazil) - I have no idea which route he took back in the day, with only a paper map, a compass, no cell phone, no GPS. The only memorabilia of his trip I got was a Camino t-shirt he bought. I won’t take any route thst is treacherous or off limits

 

[C clearly]

In my experience, October is a great month to walk the Camino Francés. Weather is generally good, but be prepared for anything, and expect rain in Galicia.

 

[Davido]

Agree with C Clearly above. Late September to end October was fine weather this past year (2024). Of course, you have to expect to get wet now and then, but c'est la vie.