December Camino?

[Pink Girl]

Buen Camino Everyone! The Camino is calling me back (my first was September 2017), but I only have vacation December 7th through the New Year.

Does anyone walk in December? Is everything really closed like my guidebook warns? Are the mountain areas closed due to snow? Basically asking if I’m crazy to even think about it...thanks!

 

[mspath]

See this earlier forum thread for helpful tips/links re walking in winter.
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/camino-winter-advice.51183/

Happy research and Buen camino!

 

[Deleted member 43985]

Definitely NOT crazy! Wonderful time to walk. Over Xmas it may be hard to find open Albergues so hotels may be necessary. Good luck and happy planning!

 

[nycwalking]

I walked in Feb. 2014. Albergues are open, farther apart than high season, but doable.

Watch out for the mud, snow, and cold.

But: Go!

 

[lt56ny]

Buen Camino Everyone! The Camino is calling me back (my first was September 2017), but I only have vacation December 7th through the New Year.

Does anyone walk in December? Is everything really closed like my guidebook warns? Are the mountain areas closed due to snow? Basically asking if I’m crazy to even think about it...thanks!

Go walk and tell us all about it. I have done all my walks from Late September to early November. I am off to the Norte in September. But I would like to do the Camino Frances again but it is too crowded for me when I usually walk. I have watched some YouTube videos about winter walking and it sure looks like if you are prepared the walk in winter could be magical. So go walk and tell us all about your experience! Buen Camino!

 

[wanderer806]

Buen Camino Everyone! The Camino is calling me back (my first was September 2017), but I only have vacation December 7th through the New Year.

Does anyone walk in December? Is everything really closed like my guidebook warns? Are the mountain areas closed due to snow? Basically asking if I’m crazy to even think about it...thanks!

We walked in December - wonderful experience. Albergues are open but further apart, sometimes we used private accomodation. Mostly brilliant sunny days and cold, perfect for walking. Carry food snacks.

 

[Pink Girl]

See this earlier forum thread for helpful tips/links re walking in winter.
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/camino-winter-advice.51183/

Happy research and Buen camino!

Thank you!

 

[The Austrian]

Walked in November 2016 until early Dec and will repeat this November again.
It was a mixed bag of goods, in the sum of all things though, fantastic

 

[Glen Moray]

Walked in December twice - in 15/16 there was a lot of mist and rain and visibility at times was very short especially on the higher ground. In 16/17 after a cold start each morning it warmed up and there were blue skies every day - managed to get to SJPP without getting wet ! So weather can be variable but never really got cold. Only saw snow on the mountains, not on the Camino.

The Pilgrims Office in SJPP will have a list of open Albergues - also usually available on this site. Most Hospitaleros will be able to advise on the next one to go to. Normally you see the same people each evening, so the limited choice actually helps by concentrating the Peregrinos and helping make it worthwhile to open.

There are about 8 hours of daylight in December so no problems if you want to cover longer distances.

 

[Mikel Olivares]

Do it. Don't think about it.

 

[Davey Boyd]

My favorite so far was walking the Frances one late November/December. Wonderful!

 

[domigee]

Buen Camino Everyone! The Camino is calling me back (my first was September 2017), but I only have vacation December 7th through the New Year.

Does anyone walk in December? Is everything really closed like my guidebook warns? Are the mountain areas closed due to snow? Basically asking if I’m crazy to even think about it...thanks!

No you are not crazy but go prepared. Look at @mspath links.
Have a wonderful time.