Camino in January

[Jon100]

Hi there
I am planning to do the Camino Igles in the first or second in week of January 2018.
Would i find it difficult to get accommodation at this time of year on the trail?
Thanks
Jon

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Would i find it difficult to get accommodation at this time of year on the trail?

Probably not. The accommodations are municipal albergues or hostales/hoteles, so they will be open. However, you probably will not find anything open between stops, so you will need to be prepared with food and water. Buen camino.

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Hi there
I am planning to do the Camino Igles in the first or second in week of January 2018.
Would i find it difficult to get accommodation at this time of year on the trail?
Thanks
Jon

Hola - just be very careful around the 6th of January which is the Feast of the Kings and is bigger than Christmas. Many places including hostales close for the day.

PM me if you need any help or further information.

John

 

[Jan_D]

Here's a helpful link: if you click on each stage, you'll see the pilgrim accommodation available. Then click on the question mark ("informacion sobre el albergue"), scroll down and you'll see when the albergue is available ("disponibilidad del albergue"):
http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/los-caminos-de-santiago/ingles/

 

[Jon100]

Falcon and JW thank you for your helpful reply's.
Jan thanks for the link .that site looks like a mine of information
unfortunately my Spanish is limited to hola and adios ,,,lol
I will swot up on some more before i head out on my Camino

Thanks .
Jon

 

[sundaynightsky]

Hi Jon,

I did the Camino Ingles in February of this year. I *am* glad that I did it, but I also wouldn't do it in the 'winter months' again (as per advise that I ignored in the guide from the CSJ).

I know you haven't asked for general advice but, just in case, some things to prepare for:

1. The weather - for me, it was literally rain, rain, rain. There was a lot of sun, too, but by that time my socks, shoes, waterproof trousers and waterproof coat were all SATURATED. I left puddles whenever I sat in cafes! Hopefully you get better weather than I did
2. The mud/puddles/impassable paths - because of the rain, some parts were pretty muddy. Mostly it was avoidable/passable, but there were some bits that were a bit tricky. It was still fine though, I wouldn't not go because of that, but just be aware of it!
3. Other Pilgrims - I wanted to walk this one to get some peace and quiet - but I didn't appreciate that I wouldn't speak to, or even see, anyone all day. Now that I've done it, I've realised that part of the Camino is meeting other people, and there weren't really too many opportunities to do that in February. (It meant I did really appreciate the people I did meet though!)
4. Some cafes/bars/other food places are closed in winter, so make sure you stock up on food at supermarkets. I didn't do this and was SO grumpy as a result. Especially on the longest day, there's only one cafe/bar (Bar Julia) and it was closed when I got there. I was not a happy bunny!

Anyway, sorry, what you actually asked for... stuff on hostels/albergues:

• Neda - I stopped here because I wanted an easy first day, but probably wouldn't if I did it again. However, if you decide to stay here, you'll have to call up to get a code for the safe to enter the albergue - and you'll have to speak Spanish (or Spanglish). No one had been there for two weeks before I went there, so it was quite cold and there had been some leaking water and stuff. It was fine, but not very enjoyable tbh. I stayed completely alone in the albergue that night and felt super vulnerable too.
• Pontedeume - the albergue had an odd feel about it (and also required a phone call in Spanish), so I stayed in a private room at a bar on convent square. I recommend doing this! Only 15 euro. The bars do good food too.
• Betanzos - really nice albergue, I think it'll always be open. Stock up at the supermarket on this day as the next day is long.
• Bruma - albergue was ok, I think it'll always be open too. The man was very chatty, despite my lack of understanding/reciprocating. He told me about a hostel to stay at the next day - it was one that wasn't on my guide. All the others listed in the guide were closed over winter.
• Siguiero - as well as the man at Bruma, the English-speaking lady at Bar O Cruicero on the walk from Bruma to Siguiero warned me about only one hostel being open. When I got there, I had to call again in Spanish. This was actually more like a house than a hostel, and some of the other rooms were rented out. It was ok though.

I hope this helps - let me know if you have any questions at all!

 

[bernard beaudin]

Hi there
I am planning to do the Camino Igles in the first or second in week of January 2018.
Would i find it difficult to get accommodation at this time of year on the trail?
Thanks
Jon

Hello my name is Bernard. I did the camino in January 2017 and it was great. I'm going to do it again in January 2018. I'm in construction and only time off is winter. The winters in Spain are warmer than where I come from. So enjoy

 

[Jon100]

Sundaynightsky thank you for your lengthy reply it is very informative .
I am just starting to put the meat on my bones Camino, your post is very helpful in that.
Bernard thank you also for your post i hope you have a good Camino in January.

 

[sundaynightsky]

Yeah sorry it was so long... I guess I could have simplified it to:

• make sure you have waterproof everything
• stock up on food whenever you can. Like, so much food.

And if my albergue bit was unclear - ALL of them were open when I did it, except in Sigueiro. Only one private hostel was open in Siguiero, and it wasn't one listed in the guide. But the man at the albergue the day before warned me about that and told me what to do.

Hope you have an amazing time!

 

[Jon100]

Sundaynightsky no criticism was intended. The longer the post the more
information is gleamed from it.
Many thanks

Jon

 

[sundaynightsky]

No don't worry I didn't take it as criticism I just realised I was in a bit of a rambley mood!

 

[Ale N]

Hi there
I am planning to do the Camino Igles in the first or second in week of January 2018.
Would i find it difficult to get accommodation at this time of year on the trail?
Thanks
Jon

Hi I hear they're mostly open but I chose hotels en route to be on the safe side. Am starting from Ferrol on the 10th