How busy is it in August?

[notion900]

Hi people

Knowing the big difference between July / August and all other months on the C Frances, can anyone comment on the pressure on refuges on the Norte in August???? Is it necessary to take a camping mat and ever sleep outside or in places like the bike shelter / church porch? Or do the refuges cope with the numbers? I am planning on leaving on about 5 August and walking until 5 September-ish.

Many thanks

 

[ivar]

Hi there,

From my "view" in Santiago... it has been busy... but not chaotic.

I also know that the last stages of the Frances, there is/will be temporal albergues put up. This is done by the local municipality. Once they see that things fill up, the activate these temporal albergues (each municipality make that decision individually).

Not sure of the status of these albergues, if they are operating, or if they are not needed yet, but I know that they are there...

So my gut feeling is that you will be fine on the norte.... and later on the last few stages of the Frances... but if you want to be 100% sure....the camping mat. August is the month "all" spaniards take vacation... so it might be more busy than it is right now.

Buen Camino!
Ivar

 

[notion900]

Thanks so much Ivar

 

[notion900]

Hi Ivar
Any latest updates on how busy it is? I am due to start tomorrow, haven't yet decided whether to do Primitivo or continue on the Norte all the way. I have a contingency plan for extreme busyness which is to get the bus to A Coruna and to the Ingles.
Many thanks
Sarah

 

[Deleted member 3000]

It has been less than 1,000 per day for the last three days, so the huge crowds have let up a bit. Still, 1,000 per day is a busy month, and weekends will be busier.

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Yes, strange. The last few mornings have been very busy but the queues have dwindled in the afternoon. People driving into Santiago today however have spotted lots of pilgrims along the Camino Frances and the Camino Portuguese making there way here. As ever there will be a mountain of pilgrims at the weekend. The office is incredibly well staffed with staff and volunteers and in the quiet moments I have been using forum questions as english tutorials