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Although there are strategies for managing the heat, so if that is the time that works best for you, it is certainly quite doable.Also usually very hot for walking in July and August.
I start walking July 2nd.If you start from SJPdP in July you should have no problem getting beds at least until you get to Galicia, at which point you may want to book a day or two ahead.
You might find this thread informative.
One issue with starting on July 2nd - San Fermín, aka the running of the bulls in Pamplona starts July 6. All accommodation in Pamplona and surrounding areas will be very tight. You may want to consider reserving up through Pamplona, and perhaps stay on either side of Pamplona.I start walking July 2nd.
SJPP, Orisson, and Roncesvalles are booked. After that, if I gather from comments here that it's not the high season, I'll choose my albergue when I arrive in town. Thank you for the link, I will check it out.
All sorts of things are true, but incomplete.I'm reading all sorts of things about the Francés being super busy right now and the high season being in May.
Agreed. I was think about Arre the night before, then going through Pamplona and seeing the festivities and sleeping at Puente la Reina.One issue with starting on July 2nd - San Fermín, aka the running of the bulls in Pamplona starts July 6. All accommodation in Pamplona and surrounding areas will be very tight. You may want to consider reserving up through Pamplona, and perhaps stay on either side of Pamplona.
So a jacket is a good thing to have even in July and August, then?Quiet. I have walked 12 Caminos in the Summer months. (job holiday times)
It's an amazing time to walk, particularly if you live in a place that has 365 days of heat with temps of 24 degrees at night considered as cool. You will really love the long mornings of cold / cool, comfortable fresh walking. After about 12, there's almost nobody walking as that is when it 'may' get hot. it's just you and the Camino. Though be prepared for a couple of wet and cold days somewhere in those months as every Camino I've walked has had at least a couple of cold days and my Primitivo Camino was freezing in July.
A light fleece or lightweight down jacket that packs down small. I had a really cold night up at O Cebreiro in August! I hadn't brought gloves that year so I wore socks as mittens.So a jacket is a good thing to have even in July and August, then?
I would not travel anywhere in the world, in any month, without a light weight jacket to protect against possible wind, rain or cold.So a jacket is a good thing to have even in July and August, then?
Oh no! Thank you for the heads up!A light fleece or lightweight down jacket that packs down small. I had a really cold night up at O Cebreiro in August! I hadn't brought gloves that year so I wore socks as mittens.
Yes. As @trecile says, a light jacket would be wise. I have always taken a light windcheater and have been thankful for it. Almost always I needed it at some point in July / August, especially at O Cebreiro to Fronfria (a very short stretch on the Frances), but also at other points - even in Pamplona in July 14, but when I walked another Camino over Summer - the Primitivo, it was, literally, a lifesaver on the Hospitales variant.So a jacket is a good thing to have even in July and August, then?
I never imagined it would be so useful that time of year. I'm going to pack it, then!Yes. As @trecile says, a light jacket would be wise. I have always taken a light windcheater and have been thankful for it. Almost always I needed it at some point in July / August, especially at O Cebreiro to Fronfria (a very short stretch on the Frances), but also at other points - even in Pamplona in July 14, but when I walked another Camino over Summer - the Primitivo, it was, literally, a lifesaver on the Hospitales variant.
Please consider Zabaldika, a non-bookable donativo albergue around 8klms before Pamplona. One of my highlights.Agreed. I was think about Arre the night before, then going through Pamplona and seeing the festivities and sleeping at Puente la Reina.
Thanks for the perspective. I'm from California and wonder what everyone means by "hot" as I have spent July in France and never found it to be terribly off-putting. I too am considering July for my Camino Frances, albeit in 2024.Quiet. I have walked 12 Caminos in the Summer months. (job holiday times)
It's an amazing time to walk, particularly if you live in a place that has 365 days of heat with temps of 24 degrees at night considered as cool. You will really love the long mornings of cold / cool, comfortable fresh walking. After about 12, there's almost nobody walking as that is when it 'may' get hot. it's just you and the Camino. Though be prepared for a couple of wet and cold days somewhere in those months as every Camino I've walked has had at least a couple of cold days and my Primitivo Camino was freezing in July.
The temperatures are similar to summer temps in Northern California. Think anywhere between 75 to 105 for high temps. 105 would be extreme, but not entirely unheard of.Thanks for the perspective. I'm from California and wonder what everyone means by "hot" as I have spent July in France and never found it to be terribly off-putting. I too am considering July for my Camino Frances, albeit in 2024.
Brilliant suggestion because no self respecting bull runner is going to stay there, next day nose around in Pamplona and if it is more than you can handle and you can't find a place to stay, take a taxi to the base of the climb to Alto de Perdon and walk to Uterga.Please consider Zabaldika, a non-bookable donativo albergue around 8klms before Pamplona. One of my highlights.
I’m leaving SJPDP on the 2nd and will be in Pamplona on the 4th before the festival begins. Plenty of beds when i was on booking.com and got into the Albergue Plaza Catedral for 15 Euros, but after the 4th the accommodation in the city is very expensive.Agreed. I was think about Arre the night before, then going through Pamplona and seeing the festivities and sleeping at Puente la Reina.
I was in southern France in August 2022 and we got temperatures rising up to 41°C (106F).Thanks for the perspective. I'm from California and wonder what everyone means by "hot" as I have spent July in France and never found it to be terribly off-putting. I too am considering July for my Camino Frances, albeit in 2024.
Mind you, the (biggest part of the) Camino Primitivo has a rather different climate than the (biggest part of the) Francés. I have about 5000 kms of Caminos under my belt (from April till October) and don't recall I ever took a jacket with me. If necessary I had 3 layers (T-shirt, longsleeve shirt, fleece vest) and I had my rain poncho. But 3 layers was almost always too warm for walking (sometimes nice in the albergue though). So it is personal, I guess.I never imagined it would be so useful that time of year. I'm going to pack it, then!
I did the CF two years ago. Started July 4th and yes, a jacket was very much needed. I was glad I had my rain jacket, got a lot of use in the beginning and end. Also, I recommend once you get closer to the last 100k booking ahead, there was a shortage of beds when I went, it was pretty bad but it was an experience I’ll never forget.So a jacket is a good thing to have even in July and August, then?
So a jacket is a good thing to have even in July and August,
I agree, one of the best albergues in the first few days from St Jean.Please consider Zabaldika, a non-bookable donativo albergue around 8klms before Pamplona. One of my highlights.
I volunteered at the pilgrim’s office last July and there were over 1500 to 2000 people a day coming into the office not including the group counts downstairs.I'm reading all sorts of things about the Francés being super busy right now and the high season being in May.
I was wondering how quiet does it usually get in July and August, compared to May, or the high season, as I will be walking from beginning of July to end of August.
What's the usual high season (what months)? Thanks!
Yes, the last 100 km into Santiago is the busiest in July and August, but between SJPdP and Galicia it can be remarkably quiet.I volunteered at the pilgrim’s office last July and there were over 1500 to 2000 people a day coming into the office not including the group counts downstairs.
I love August , my wife does not.I'm reading all sorts of things about the Francés being super busy right now and the high season being in May.
I was wondering how quiet does it usually get in July and August, compared to May, or the high season, as I will be walking from beginning of July to end of August.
What's the usual high season (what months)? Thanks!
Last year I walked in July/August amid 2 heatwaves of about 10 days each - multiple days of walking in +42 degrees.Thanks for the perspective. I'm from California and wonder what everyone means by "hot" as I have spent July in France and never found it to be terribly off-putting. I too am considering July for my Camino Frances, albeit in 2024.
Last year I walked in July/August amid 2 heatwaves of about 10 days each - multiple days of walking in +42 degrees.
How did you organise to volunteer there please? I would love to give something back if I can.I volunteered at the pilgrim’s office last July and there were over 1500 to 2000 people a day coming into the office not including the group counts downstairs.
This year I start July 3rd from SJPDP (first timer) and am supposed to be in Pamplona the Friday that Running with the Bulls begins. I am quite nervous about accomodation. I want to do the cheapest possible and was hoping to risk getting to an albergue that doesn't take reservations early. Is this a bad idea? Currently only have SJPDP and Roncesvalles booked.One issue with starting on July 2nd - San Fermín, aka the running of the bulls in Pamplona starts July 6. All accommodation in Pamplona and surrounding areas will be very tight. You may want to consider reserving up through Pamplona, and perhaps stay on either side of Pamplona.
IMHO all Albergues inside the citywalls are closed while the San Fermines!This year I start July 3rd from SJPDP (first timer) and am supposed to be in Pamplona the Friday that Running with the Bulls begins. I am quite nervous about accomodation. I want to do the cheapest possible and was hoping to risk getting to an albergue that doesn't take reservations early. Is this a bad idea? Currently only have SJPDP and Roncesvalles booked.
Ah, a Friday night in Pamplona! And during the San Fermin festival even!This year I start July 3rd from SJPDP (first timer) and am supposed to be in Pamplona the Friday that Running with the Bulls begins. I am quite nervous about accomodation. I want to do the cheapest possible and was hoping to risk getting to an albergue that doesn't take reservations early.
Hi Roland, thank you so much for the quick response! This is really great information!!IMHO all Albergues inside the citywalls are closed while the San Fermines!
You can try Casa Paderborn on the banks of the Arga, not far from the main route of the Camino.
I don't know, if they take reservations.
BC!
Thank you so much for this information! I really appreciate the thoughtful response.Ah, a Friday night in Pamplona! And during the San Fermin festival even!
Gronze.com will tell you this about the availabilities of beds in Pamplona:
Albergue Jesus+Maria is closed from 6-15 July.Albergue Betania has 20 places. Exclusively for pilgrims. No reservation.Albergue Paderborn has 26 places. Exclusively for pilgrims. No reservation.
Every other accommodation in Pamplona listed by Gronze is on Booking.com which the exception of one single pension that takes bookings by phone and email.
You will either be among the 46 pilgrims in Betania or Paderborn or not. Buen Camino!
You may try to get a bed in the Albergue "Tinidade de Arre" just after crossing over the Rio Ulzama and before entering the outskirts of Pamplona. But you may have to cross the city to Cizur Menor (Albergue Orden de Malta) or the Albergue San Andrés in Zariquiegui.Hi Roland, thank you so much for the quick response! This is really great information!!
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