Camino Lebaniego in mid-October: Too late?

You could try checking CaminoWeather for cold/rain. I looked up Oct 15 - Oct 24, and looks to me like most years that would have gotten you two days of rain, and pretty decent walking temperatures. Here's the specific link: https://caminoweather.com/lebaniego...nId=46&lengthType=stages&startDate=2024-10-15

KayVee said:

thank you @krystianw and @peregrina2000 . I hadn’t thought about the possibility of snow. Could someone who’s walked the Lebaniego and the Primitivo offer a view on difficulty? Esp in terms of elevation fain and loss?

Click to expand...

Hello Kay Vee. To answer your question based on walking in mid september. The first stage is relatively flat, walking along the river to Cades. There's a ref there, but try to ring them and book a bed. They also do supper and breakfast. No other facilities in that village. Slight detour next morning if you want anything at all along the way, to Quintanilla for coffee and cakes. Steep climb after that but only to around 700 meters, then down to Cacera. Book there too, if you can. Good restaurant. 390 meters straight up next morning with fantastic views. Then lots of ups and (spectacular) downs to Potes. A bit twee tourist town. Very Good ref. No booking.
Next day 3 km straight up to the monastery. Ref there opens at 1300 but you should be there by 12 for the mass and "Puerta de exculpa". Recommend staying there all day and night. Magical place.
Next day a slog to Epinama. You can choose either the Camino or the road (much shorter) up to you. Good ref in Epinama but essential to book (still on Covid alert). Okay, from Epinama. Now you climb straight up to around 2000 metres (like Hospitales on the Primitivo). There was heavy rain and a very cold wind. You will probably get sunshine but, light thermals, wind jacket, fleece jacket, cravat, fleece gloves and woollen cap were essential that day. The last 11 km to Portilla were memorable. Casa Rural in Portilla but there is a ref. After Portilla it is flat as you gradually descend to the Campo and the Meseta along the Libaniego to Mansilla de las Mulas.
The ref in Cistierna was closed so a pension was necessary. Otherwise refs or cheap pensions. See Gronze which was accurate. All in all the most most beautiful Camino I've ever walked in Spain. You should be ok in October as Laurie (Peregrina 2000) says, but take the clothes mentioned.

As mentioned my remarks are based on walking in Mid september, but I think it would still be ok in Mid october but the equipment mentioned would be necessary,

trecile said:

Are you using "ref" as an abbreviation for "refugio, " aka albergue?

Click to expand...

Yes. Sorry, I'm Australian and we tend to shorten everything!!