Weather in March, Camino Frances, Leon-Santiago - your experience?

TheBigT

Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2022 Portugues, 2023 CF to Leon,2024 Leon to Sant.

• Aug 8, 2023

• #1

I am planning on completing my CF from Leon to Santiago in March 2024. I can see the monthly average temperature etc. online but was interested in the experience of others. If you have done this section in March, please share your perceptions and lessons learned, thanks!

 

C clearly

Moderator

Staff member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Most years since 2012

• Aug 8, 2023

• #2

The averages are perhaps not as helpful as the normal ranges. In March I experienced cold, warm, sun, and rain. My advice is to go prepared for it all, by planning layers that can be combined in different ways to suit the circumstances, and still leave you with something warm and dry for the evening.

 

trecile

Moderator

Staff member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Various routes 2016 - 2024

• Aug 8, 2023

• #3

Here's a thread of reports of people walking in March

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/on-the-camino-on-this-date-in-march.69486/

 

julia-t

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Frances 2015-17
Kumano Kodo March 2018
Camino Portuguese Valenca-SdC April 2018

• Aug 9, 2023

• #4

In 2017 i left Astorga in hot sunshine, needing sunscreen and mopping sweat with my buff - a few days later I woke in Laguna di Castillo (sp?) to six inches of snow. Those few km up to O Cebreiro were quite magical, as was the village under deep snow, but not long after that it became tiring and uncomfortable until I eventually called a taxi in Fonfria because conditions were deteriorating and the albergues were closed. That day it was wearing the buff as a balaclava and socks for gloves.
So expect a variety of weather and be prepared!

 

TheBigT

Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2022 Portugues, 2023 CF to Leon,2024 Leon to Sant.

• Aug 9, 2023

• #5

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I started the CF last March 3 (2023) and it was snow for the first two days, cool into Pamplona and then warm all the way. Sounds like the I will almost certainly need the gloves, beanie etc. sounds wonderful, in fact

 

tjz

Active Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2014-2018 (Francés)
2022-2025 (Norte)

• Aug 9, 2023

• #6

We always walk in March/April and I've learned to have the layers needed for both a snowstorm and baking sun. Springtime in Spain is about as predictable as here in Colorado, which means it's completely unpredictable. As you say, if prepared, it is wonderful in a way. One of our favorite legs on the Caminos we've done was the very first day on our very first Camino, and my wife's very first time in Europe: we walked from SJPdP to Roncevalles in a snowstorm. But I also loved our time walking through the Meseta in shirt sleeves and sunshine. It's all good!