Query on Weather

[gordo_88]

Hi all! I have been lurking on the forum for a little while and I must say it is an excellent resource. I am planning to walk from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela this year. I am from Ireland and as a result I am not too keen on very hot or humid weather. I have two potential dates that I could do it based on my availability from work: either the end of May/early June or early August. Which of those would be the best time for me to do it? Or would it be quite hot and humid both times?

 

[wayfarer]

Welcome gordo, I would recommend May/June as the weather in Northern Spain may still be cooler than it would in August. July, August and Early September can be very hot in Spain so I would go for the earlier date or in the second half of September. You will get plenty advise here so happy planning and Buen Camino.

 

[gordo_88]

Welcome gordo, I would recommend May/June as the weather in Northern Spain may still be cooler than it would in August. July, August and Early September can be very hot in Spain so I would go for the earlier date or in the second half of September. You will get plenty advise here so happy planning and Buen Camino.

Thanks for the reply wayfarer that makes sense!

 

[Bradypus]

If you want to avoid heat then May/June is your best bet. Early August is likely to be hot but not humid unless in rains. Here are the annual averages for temperature and humidity for a station quite close to Sarria: https://www.yr.no/place/Spain/Galicia/Sarria/statistics.html

Edit: Should have said precipitation, not humidity

 

[gordo_88]

If you want to avoid heat then May/June is your best bet. Early August is likely to be hot but not humid unless in rains. Here are the annual averages for temperature and humidity for a station quite close to Sarria: https://www.yr.no/place/Spain/Galicia/Sarria/statistics.html

That is very helpful thank you Bradypus. It is very clear from that link that my first option is the best!

 

[Mark Lee]

For cooler weather, May/June. August can be quite warm sometimes.
I never encountered humid weather on the Camino.

 

[james walter purdum iv]

may i suggest the santiago-finnester -muxia-santiago loop for the same time frame....much easier on the eyes

 

[Anemone del Camino]

May/June. August will be scorching.

 

[gordo_88]

Thanks everyone! I'm convinced!

I have a keen interest in traditional music and I am aware of Galicia having a strong musical heritage. What is the likelihood of me hearing some Galician music along the way?

It takes 5 days typically from Sarria to Santiago?

 

[gordo_88]

may i suggest the santiago-finnester -muxia-santiago loop for the same time frame....much easier on the eyes

Thanks but I have my heart set on Sarria to Santiago! Judging by everyone's experience this will be my first of many so will keep this in mind for future trips!

 

[Carlos Santiago]

I have a keen interest in traditional music and I am aware of Galicia having a strong musical heritage. What is the likelihood of me hearing some Galician music along the way?

I'm interested in the traditional music too; as we have major Spanish influence in ours. I found a few posts of live Basque and Galician performances somewhere in these threads . As expected, they were from local fiestas or celebrations. I guess, unless we are very very lucky to hit concerts along the Camino like Ivar and company presented (https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...nt-music-a-lecture-concert-in-santiago.45561/) or a major music festival like La Semana Coral Festival Internacional de Alava in Pais Vasco*, our only chances are fiestas, local and special celebrations like weddings, for instance. Spanish fiestas (the models for Philippine fiestas) are usually in honor of God, a saint, or two, or thirteen. There will be processions where locals, bands and traditionally-dressed participants perform traditional music, dance, and rituals.
I tried to track the local celebrations along the Frances. Chances of hitting them in a straight line is nil. I must be content to be able to observe evening rehearsals of local groups.

*I participated in this festival a long time ago. International and local choirs perform in assigned towns and several venues in Gasteiz (Vitoria). The Frances does not go thru Alava. Its border barely kisses the Camino in Logroño between Viaña and Navarrete.

 

[gordo_88]

I'm interested in the traditional music too; as we have major Spanish influence in ours. I found a few posts of live Basque and Galician performances somewhere in these threads . As expected, they were from local fiestas or celebrations. I guess, unless we are very very lucky to hit concerts along the Camino like Ivar and company presented (https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...nt-music-a-lecture-concert-in-santiago.45561/) or a major music festival like La Semana Coral Festival Internacional de Alava in Pais Vasco*, our only chances are fiestas, local and special celebrations like weddings, for instance. Spanish fiestas (the models for Philippine fiestas) are usually in honor of God, a saint, or two, or thirteen. There will be processions where locals, bands and traditionally-dressed participants perform traditional music, dance, and rituals.
I tried to track the local celebrations along the Frances. Chances of hitting them in a straight line is nil. I must be content to be able to observe evening rehearsals of local groups.

*I participated in this festival a long time ago. International and local choirs perform in assigned towns and several venues in Gasteiz (Vitoria). The Frances does not go thru Alava. Its border barely kisses the Camino in Logroño between Viaña and Navarrete.

Thanks Carlos Santiago! Hopefully I will chance upon some music along the way. From what I have seen there are some excellent pipers in Northern Spain and their music resembles Irish or Scottish traditional music.

 

[alexwalker]

Thanks everyone! I'm convinced!

I have a keen interest in traditional music and I am aware of Galicia having a strong musical heritage. What is the likelihood of me hearing some Galician music along the way?

It takes 5 days typically from Sarria to Santiago?

You will most likely be greeted by a bagpiper on your entrance to the plaza in front of the cathedral. He seems to be there always...

5 days is ok.

 

[alexwalker]

Thanks Carlos Santiago! Hopefully I will chance upon some music along the way. From what I have seen there are some excellent pipers in Northern Spain and their music resembles Irish or Scottish traditional music.

They (bagpipes & music) came from Spain (Celts/Galls?) which in turn got it from the Romans, who in turn got it from the Middle East, etc. You will be surprised to hear bagpipe music in NW Spain similar to Scottish/Irish. Spain was first

https://www.hendersongroupltd.com/historybagpipes.asp

Also related is Gallic (Galicia, where SdC is) but my knowledge on these matters are lacking. Try Google.

 

[gordo_88]

They (bagpipes & music) came from Spain (Celts/Galls?) which in turn got it from the Romans, who in turn got it from the Middle East, etc. You will be surprised to hear bagpipe music in NW Spain similar to Scottish/Irish. Spain was first

https://www.hendersongroupltd.com/historybagpipes.asp

Also related is Gallic (Galicia, where SdC is) but my knowledge on these matters are lacking. Try Google.

Interesting, isn't it great that traditional music is very much alive in all these countries given how far back the source is! A Spanish friend of mine told me recently that Galicia as a place is as close to Ireland as you will find in Spain - it nearly rains as much too (not quite)!

 

[Nelia L Keiser]

Thanks but I have my heart set on Sarria to Santiago! Judging by everyone's experience this will be my first of many so will keep this in mind for future trips!

I walked from St Jean to Santiago then took the bus to Finastirre the next day watch the sun set and the sun rise then returned that morning. I went to spread my parents ashes so this worked for me.

 

[Henriettagal]

Hi all! I have been lurking on the forum for a little while and I must say it is an excellent resource. I am planning to walk from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela this year. I am from Ireland and as a result I am not too keen on very hot or humid weather. I have two potential dates that I could do it based on my availability from work: either the end of May/early June or early August. Which of those would be the best time for me to do it? Or would it be quite hot and humid both times?

May hands down.

 

[sevensistas]

Thanks everyone! I'm convinced!

I have a keen interest in traditional music and I am aware of Galicia having a strong musical heritage. What is the likelihood of me hearing some Galician music along the way?

It takes 5 days typically from Sarria to Santiago?

Hi Gordo
I walked Sarria to Santiago last October, on my very first day walking I came across a musician playing the bagpipes in the middle of nowhere, he was busking along the path. It was so glorious to hear the traditional music travelling across the green meandering landscape. I think no doubt you'll hear some. Also try looking around at night in the towns for a pub with live music, Galicia really reminded me of walking through Ireland, many similarities.

I took my time and enjoyed it, stopped when I liked a place or felt like a long lunch, I walked it in 8 days. If you have more time I would recommend dragging it out as long as you can!

Buen Camino

 

[gordo_88]

Hi Gordo
I walked Sarria to Santiago last October, on my very first day walking I came across a musician playing the bagpipes in the middle of nowhere, he was busking along the path. It was so glorious to hear the traditional music travelling across the green meandering landscape. I think no doubt you'll hear some. Also try looking around at night in the towns for a pub with live music, Galicia really reminded me of walking through Ireland, many similarities.

I took my time and enjoyed it, stopped when I liked a place or felt like a long lunch, I walked it in 8 days. If you have more time I would recommend dragging it out as long as you can!

Buen Camino

Lucky you! I can imagine that was a lovely encounter with the Piper! I plan to do it the walking in 5 days as I want to squeeze in a few days in Madrid as part of the trip! I have been reliably informed that it is a really nice city! I am planning on having about a day and a half in Santiago is that long enough?