Norte in Jan/Feb

[Malachiuri]

Forgive me if this has been asked to death, my search resulted in little.

I have walked 4 Camino Frances and kinda want to branch out to a different route. ViaDLPlata is an option, but presses my available time to its max.

I have a working farm and Jan/Feb is the only open window I have for travel.

Rain, snow, wind dont bother me much, in fact they are my favorite hiking conditions. I also have slept in a few church porches over the year so not worried about the occasional lodging issue.

So, any experiences to share??

Thanks much,
M

 

[Flog]

January and February are cold and dark months in Northern Spain. Many albergues will be shut and clothes drying might be a problem too. You will find private accomodation in all the larger towns though..
But if you're really ok with rain, snow and wind, and you don't mind finding shelter in a church porch or doorway if it comes to it, then there's really nothing to add but happy planning, buen camino!

 

[Luka]

Snow is extremely rare at the northern coast (at least below 300m). Rain and wind yes, count on it. Cold? Not really. Temperatures hardly get below zero at the coast, not even at night (again, a bit of a different story more inland and higher up). Dark? Depends of your perspective. On the shortest day it gets light around 9.00am and dark around 6.00pm. The sun can be out as well. Maximum temperatures of about 15ºc are not uncommon.

Oh, and yes, drying clothes might be a problem.

 

[Malachiuri]

I walked the Frances in Jan/Feb of 2020 and had a great time, riiiiiight up until Covid showed up. Drying clothes isnt much of a worry, I pack 3 sets these days so I have extra on a daily basis.

My only real worry would be weather making routes unpassable and lodging. I tend to use hotels and posadas when available and have no clue what might be open.

Is there a list like Aprinca for other routes?

Current plan is to start checking availability this Jan and sending emails.

My next trip isnt till Jan 2025 which gives me plenty of time.

If the Norte looks iffy, I am planning the Vasco to Santo Domingo, the Frances to Ponferrada and then onto the Invernio as my backup plan.

M

 

[poogeyejr]

I was there in February 2017. The issue is the isolation. You may meet families or pairs that are walking together but some stages I was the only pilgrim for days. It worked fine in the more expensive accommodation, but in Galicia the albergues were open and available but I was the only pilgrim in them. I ended to many stages alone, so I popped off to London to meet family.

It was great weather that year Jan 28-31 in San Sebastian was 26-30 degrees C. Amazing!!!!

 

[Rachel from Seattle]

Forgive me if this has been asked to death, my search resulted in little.

I have walked 4 Camino Frances and kinda want to branch out to a different route. ViaDLPlata is an option, but presses my available time to its max.

I have a working farm and Jan/Feb is the only open window I have for travel.

Rain, snow, wind dont bother me much, in fact they are my favorite hiking conditions. I also have slept in a few church porches over the year so not worried about the occasional lodging issue.

So, any experiences to share??

Thanks much,
M

Prepare for mud

 

[Luka]

I walked the Frances in Jan/Feb of 2020 and had a great time, riiiiiight up until Covid showed up. Drying clothes isnt much of a worry, I pack 3 sets these days so I have extra on a daily basis.

The Francés is on the other side of the mountain range and has a different climate: colder in winter, but probably also dryer. The humidity on the northern coast stays around 80-100% in winter.

 

[Luka]

Prepare for mud

Good advice.