Which Camino for 2025? (January/February)

[Stephan the Painter]

It looks like it'll be in January and February if I get a chance to go to Spain next year.

So I am looking for suggestions for a warmish winter Camino starting about Jan.15 and going on for a few weeks. Does not have to end in Santiago.

Originally what I had in mind was the Levante or Sureste starting from somewhere around Toledo. But I think that will be to cold in that area for me early in the year and I am not interested in carrying lots of cold-weather gear.

So I think it'll have to be a more southern Camino.

The Fisherman trail in Portugal sounded pretty good, but I want to stick to Spain because I'm forever trying to learn more Spanish language.

Luckily, my issues with my feet and lower legs have been resolved, so no restrictions on where to hike.

And of course, I want interesting towns with lots of good stuff to draw!

Thanks!

 

[CTLawGal]

Via de la Plata starting in Sevilla? I haven’t done it but have been thinking about it for a time when I can start early in the year.

 

[CTLawGal]

Not sure if it satisfies your “interesting towns with lots of good stuff” - others who’ve done it can address that desire. Buen Camino

 

[Stephan the Painter]

Not sure if it satisfies your “interesting towns with lots of good stuff” - others who’ve done it can address that desire. Buen Camino

I thought about that one and I spent some time in Sevilla in winter a couple of years ago. Nice city. I’ll take a more careful look at VDLP, thanks.

 

[Stephan the Painter]

I did look at the VDLP again. But what caught my eye while looking at some posts was the Via Serrana starting in Gibralter. I know someone in Tarifa and maybe I could start there. That's the Estrecho, I think?

And if I wanted to I could continue along VDLP after Sevilla up to Merida. This would definitely work. The other likely choices would be the Mozarabe from either Almeria or Malaga.

For the first time I checked the Camino Weather site, which is very useful and gives data on likely weather along all the camino routes. Ths southern Caminos are quite mild in January. And it seems I could even do the Levante from Toledo. It would be cold, but not freezing during the day. I would still have to carry extra clothing, and I really find I enjoy myself much more when my pack is really light!

I know there's some other unofficial Camino routes that stretch in the south of Spain. Is there one that leaves from near Cartegna and goes west? Would love to hear about any of these lesser-known routes.

 

[jungleboy]

Since you've read about my Vía Serrana and commented elsewhere, I'll just add here that I think this would be a great choice, potentially including some of the add-ons you mentioned. I'd definitely go for a southern route at that time of year, as you have already figured out. On the map I have, I see the Argar starting near Cartagena and meeting the Sureste near Toledo, but I have never heard of it.

 

[naplesdon]

My experience living in Estoril was it is not "warmish" in January and February and the prevailing winds/rains are forever coming in from the west off of a very chilly Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the reasons I left Portugal, I don't even think the Algarve is conducive to t-shirts in the winter. At any rate, all that being said; let me know what you plan. I could easily pop over there and be your "concierge" chase car when you decide your route.

 

[Stephan the Painter]

My experience living in Estoril was it is not "warmish" in January and February and the prevailing winds/rains are forever coming in from the west off of a very chilly Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the reasons I left Portugal, I don't even think the Algarve is conducive to t-shirts in the winter. At any rate, all that being said; let me know what you plan. I could easily pop over there and be your "concierge" chase car when you decide your route.

Thank you, Don! How nice of you to offer! I'll take a more careful look at the weather norms. I know that Atlantic winter weather can be unpleasant, but I'm hoping that the Via Serrana is far enough inland.

A couple of years ago I spent six weeks in January and February in Sevilla, and while it was often very cold at night and in the mornings, the days were quite nice. I assume that it would be similar on The Via Serrana. But if I started in Tarifa I might get some of that…

 

[Stephan the Painter]

On the map I have, I see the Argar starting near Cartagena and meeting the Sureste near Toledo, but I have never heard of it.

I guess I was thinking about the Caravaca de la Cruz. There seem to be multiple variations of this in the same region of the Argar.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/camino-la-cruz-de-caravaca-some-guidance.89463/

Pilgrimage routes in the Region of Murcia : Web del Camino de la Cruz

The Region of Murcia offers a new way to reach Caravaca de la Cruz, the fifth place in the world to be recognized as a Holy City.

www.turismoregiondemurcia.es

And Alan Sykes is walking it now or was recently.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...os-of-caravaca-and-san-juan-de-la-cruz.89139/

And thanks to the moderator who added January and February to my post title. I tried to edit it, but it seems I can't edit post titles anymore, which I know I've done in the past…?

 

[HeidiL]

I would recommend Vía Augusta from Cádiz to Sevilla first, and then continue along Vía de la Plata for as long as you can...

Augusta is lovely, you walk through a bird sanctuary most of the time.

 

[John Saxon]

I am looking for suggestions for a warmish winter Camino starting about Jan.15 and going on for a few weeks. Does not have to end in Santiago.

I'll be starting a bit later than that (end of January or first week of February) walking one section of the Mozárabe (Granada to Córdoba) and two sections of the Vía de la Plata (Sevilla to Mérida and Salamanca or Zamora to Astorga) with time for good visits in those cities. If you're looking for company or just want to chat, feel free to DM me.

 

[Stephan the Painter]

I'll be starting a bit later than that (end of January or first week of February) walking one section of the Mozárabe (Granada to Córdoba) and two sections of the Vía de la Plata (Sevilla to Mérida and Salamanca or Zamora to Astorga) with time for good visits in those cities. If you're looking for company or just want to chat, feel free to DM me.

Everything's still in the planning stage for me ( no plane tickets yet!), but if we end up anywhere near each other at the right times, it would be great to meet up.

 

[MesaWalker]

I´ve walked the Via Serrana but not the Via Augusta from Cadiz. The Via Serrana is beautiful but goes through some very significant mountains for a couple of days. I don´t know how much snow they get in the winter - I walked it late September last year. Jungleboy probably has a better feel for that. I opted for the Via Serrana over the Via Augusta (thank you to Jungleboy!) for the beauty of the scenery and the more rugged terrain, but that might be a reason to consider the Via Augusta in the wintertime. I understand it is much flatter and I would think easier to walk during winter. Especially if you like sherry/jerez!

 

[Jon53]

It looks like it'll be in January and February if I get a chance to go to Spain next year.

So I am looking for suggestions for a warmish winter Camino starting about Jan.15 and going on for a few weeks. Does not have to end in Santiago.

Originally what I had in mind was the Levante or Sureste starting from somewhere around Toledo. But I think that will be to cold in that area for me early in the year and I am not interested in carrying lots of cold-weather gear.

So I think it'll have to be a more southern Camino.

The Fisherman trail in Portugal sounded pretty good, but I want to stick to Spain because I'm forever trying to learn more Spanish language.

Luckily, my issues with my feet and lower legs have been resolved, so no restrictions on where to hike.

And of course, I want interesting towns with lots of good stuff to draw!

Thanks!

Just a thought Stephan, the Andalusian Coast to coast? There are some high passes so maybe a bit tricky during deep winter. Not a Camino as such and I’ve not done it, but it looks good.

An Introduction to the Andalucían Coast to Coast Walk

Guy Hunter-Watts introduces this 21-day coast to coast hiking trail across Andalucía. It's been twenty years in the making and he's excited to share this…

www.cicerone.co.uk

Jon

 

[David Tallan]

It looks like it'll be in January and February if I get a chance to go to Spain next year.

So I am looking for suggestions for a warmish winter Camino starting about Jan.15 and going on for a few weeks. Does not have to end in Santiago.

Originally what I had in mind was the Levante or Sureste starting from somewhere around Toledo. But I think that will be to cold in that area for me early in the year and I am not interested in carrying lots of cold-weather gear.

So I think it'll have to be a more southern Camino.

The Fisherman trail in Portugal sounded pretty good, but I want to stick to Spain because I'm forever trying to learn more Spanish language.

Luckily, my issues with my feet and lower legs have been resolved, so no restrictions on where to hike.

And of course, I want interesting towns with lots of good stuff to draw!

Thanks!

How about the Mozarabe from Almería? It passes through Granada and Cordoba, and you might find one or two things worthy of drawing in those towns.

 

[peregrina2000]

It looks like it'll be in January and February if I get a chance to go to Spain next year.

I would second the idea about the Mozárabe from Almería. If the weather goes very badly, you can count on the Association to keep you informed (and actually you can count on the Association to take care of you, they are amazing).

Here’s the count from January and February 2023. More than I expected!

 

[Stephan the Painter]

Just a thought Stephan, the Andalusian Coast to coast?

That's very interesting. I have never heard of that. I'll have to investigate.

The Via Serrana is beautiful but goes through some very significant mountains for a couple of days. I don´t know how much snow they get in the winter -

That's a good thought. It's a very mild winter in that part of the world, but the mountains are probably much colder. I will look into it.

ow about the Mozarabe from Almería? It passes through Granada and Cordoba, and you might find one or two things worthy of drawing in those towns.

I would second the idea about the Mozárabe from Almería

Starting the Mozarabe in Almeria is near the top of the list. Last year I actually spent five or six days in Almeria, pretty much only drawing and painting that wonderful fortress on the hill. And one day I was loitering in front of the church before mass, and someone approached me from the Camino Association, and asked me if I was a pilgrim. I guess I had the look!


The nice thing about the Almería route is that there are plenty of Albergues. Some of the other routes I'm looking at like the Serrana will be all private rooms and dramatically increase my budget. It seems the days of €25 or €30 private rooms are almost gone.

And it looks like they were only 100 people in total in January and February. That will be quite a change from my busy April/May Camino Frances this Spring! But probably much busier than something like the Serrana, where I probably would meet no one.

I did spend a week each in both Granada and Cordoba drawing last year, but in Grenada I was sick with something so I didn't do anything except lie around in my hotel room. So I do need to go back! This time I know I better buy tickets in advance if I want to see the Alhambra.

Thanks. I'll take a much more serious look at it. It does seem to be very popular with many multiple camino veterans on this board so I'm sure I'll have a good time.

 

[peregrina2000]

The nice thing about the Almería route is that there are plenty of Albergues.

That was a point that I had forgotten to mention. No worries about winter closings because the association runs all of the albergues. On the Serrana, which I walked this past spring, we were almost always in private accommodations. So I don’t think winter closing will be a problem there either, but the price differential will be pretty substantial.

 

[HeidiL]

I´ve walked the Via Serrana but not the Via Augusta from Cadiz. The Via Serrana is beautiful but goes through some very significant mountains for a couple of days.

The Augusta is dead flat...

 

[Stephan the Painter]

I´ve walked the Via Serrana but not the Via Augusta from Cadiz. The Via Serrana is beautiful but goes through some very significant mountains for a couple of days.

The Augusta is dead flat...

It sounds like you really enjoyed the Via Augusta? I hadn’t really considered it, perhaps because I’ve taken a train from Cadiz to Sevilla and it didn't look that exciting. But I’m researching it now. I like that it’s flat, because that would break my Camino legs in. Although I guess VDLP is pretty flat for a long time.

I’ve been in Cadiz and thats a nice city. Jerez has a good reputation. Sevilla is my favorite city in Spain (so far). Did you find the towns and the walk interesting?

I briefly looked at housing options on Booking.com for January. It was fairly expensive. That’s probably a problem I would have as on the Via Serrana well. Nothing on Gronze. When did you do this Camino and how was your experience with accommodation?

 

[williamlittig]

It looks like it'll be in January and February if I get a chance to go to Spain next year.

So I am looking for suggestions for a warmish winter Camino starting about Jan.15 and going on for a few weeks. Does not have to end in Santiago.

Originally what I had in mind was the Levante or Sureste starting from somewhere around Toledo. But I think that will be to cold in that area for me early in the year and I am not interested in carrying lots of cold-weather gear.

So I think it'll have to be a more southern Camino.

The Fisherman trail in Portugal sounded pretty good, but I want to stick to Spain because I'm forever trying to learn more Spanish language.

Luckily, my issues with my feet and lower legs have been resolved, so no restrictions on where to hike.

And of course, I want interesting towns with lots of good stuff to draw!

Thanks!

It looks like it'll be in January and February if I get a chance to go to Spain next year.

So I am looking for suggestions for a warmish winter Camino starting about Jan.15 and going on for a few weeks. Does not have to end in Santiago.

Originally what I had in mind was the Levante or Sureste starting from somewhere around Toledo. But I think that will be to cold in that area for me early in the year and I am not interested in carrying lots of cold-weather gear.

So I think it'll have to be a more southern Camino.

The Fisherman trail in Portugal sounded pretty good, but I want to stick to Spain because I'm forever trying to learn more Spanish language.

Luckily, my issues with my feet and lower legs have been resolved, so no restrictions on where to hike.

And of course, I want interesting towns with lots of good stuff to draw!

Thanks!

If your pilgrimage has the destination of Santiago, be prepared for weather, cold and wet . You might also. consider a starter Camino, to be completed later. Southern Spain will have better weather.

 

[peregrina2000]

It sounds like you really enjoyed the Via Augusta? I hadn’t really considered it, perhaps because I’ve taken a train from Cadiz to Sevilla and it didn't look that exciting

That had been my perspective as well, though I have never walked it. When I posted on the forum that several forum members had offered the opinion that it wasn’t that interesting, other forum members quickly pushed back with their very different opinions after having walked it. I think it’s safe to say that I have heard both good and bad reports, sort of like the debate about starting in Lisbon. And what I like may be different than what you like, of course!

Álvaro Lazaga walks several caminos a year and always has a youtube segment for each stage. Here is the first one for his Via Augusta and you can easily find the rest if you are interested.

 

[HeidiL]

It sounds like you really enjoyed the Via Augusta? I hadn’t really considered it, perhaps because I’ve taken a train from Cadiz to Sevilla and it didn't look that exciting. But I’m researching it now. I like that it’s flat, because that would break my Camino legs in. Although I guess VDLP is pretty flat for a long time.

I’ve been in Cadiz and thats a nice city. Jerez has a good reputation. Sevilla is my favorite city in Spain (so far). Did you find the towns and the walk interesting?

I briefly looked at housing options on Booking.com for January. It was fairly expensive. That’s probably a problem I would have as on the Via Serrana well. Nothing on Gronze. When did you do this Camino and how was your experience with accommodation?

I enjoyed Vía Augusta - there were cheap hotel options, but no albergues (we walked in December). With the exception of the day we walked through a farmyard with a dead sheep in a ditch and some really protective dogs, it was an easy walk, with acceptable signposting and lots and lots of birds everywhere.

We also ate well, I remember, and had good conversations with each other and local Spaniards. There were no other pilgrims, someone told us they had seen one a month earlier.

 

[DavidCanadian]

Via de la Plata starting in Sevilla? I haven’t done it but have been thinking about it for a time when I can start early in the year.

The VdlP was our second Camino starting at the beginning of April. Very pleasant, with towns and small cities with a rich heritage. At times we we the only two people in the albergues, we went for days by ourselves. It was often wet and chilly but nothing unmanageable. January might be more of a challenge. It is more a question of the elevation at which you are walking rather than how far south you are in Spain.

 

[CTLawGal]

The VdlP was our second Camino starting at the beginning of April. Very pleasant, with towns and small cities with a rich heritage. At times we we the only two people in the albergues, we went for days by ourselves. It was often wet and chilly but nothing unmanageable. January might be more of a challenge. It is more a question of the elevation at which you are walking rather than how far south you are in Spain.

Thanks! That’s helpful to know (future planning!). I know I should really only plan one Camino at a time, but it’s good to have something in the back of your brain after you finish!

 

[Stephan the Painter]

I've decided on the Mozarabe starting in Almeria. Tentatively, ending in Cordoba this time. But I'll play it by ear, maybe ending in Merida if I'm really enjoying myself.
I hate to say it, but probably the biggest factor was the availability of albergue's and housing costs.

The other southern Caminos I looked at except for the VDLP don't have much of a pilgrim infrastructure.

I just bought plane tickets and I'll arrive in Madrid on January 4 for two months. I'm imagining about three weeks on a Camino and the rest of the time sketching and maybe taking some Spanish classes. Or maybe even going down to Morocco for a couple weeks.

And I see it's Epiphany that weekend, so I'll have to book and plan everything carefully for those three days until January 7.

Thanks for the help.

 

[MesaWalker]

I've decided on the Mozarabe starting in Almeria. Tentatively, ending in Cordoba this time. But I'll play it by ear, maybe ending in Merida if I'm really enjoying myself.
I hate to say it, but probably the biggest factor was the availability of albergue's and housing costs.

The other southern Caminos I looked at except for the VDLP don't have much of a pilgrim infrastructure.

I just bought plane tickets and I'll arrive in Madrid on January 4 for two months. I'm imagining about three weeks on a Camino and the rest of the time sketching and maybe taking some Spanish classes. Or maybe even going down to Morocco for a couple weeks.

And I see it's Epiphany that weekend, so I'll have to book and plan everything carefully for those three days until January 7.

Thanks for the help.

Sounds like a great choice! Have a wonderful time!

 

[peregrina2000]

I've decided on the Mozarabe starting in Almeria.

Great choice! You may already know this, but you should definitely contact the Amigos to set up a time to meet in Almería. And they publish a guide, available on their web page, which is updated almost every month. Some have said that their facebook page may publish updates more quickly, but I don’t use facebook much, so I just go to the webpage.

CAMINO MOZARABE DE SANTIAGO DE ALMERIA a GRANADA. PREMIO ELIAS VALIÑA 2019

Blog sobre el Camino Mozárabe de Santiago

www.caminomozarabesantiago.com

Easiest way to contact the Association is via WhatsApp and here are the numbers. I note that they say it’s necessary to be in touch with them before you start walking. That is because they own and operate all the albergues and they will need to talk to you about procedures, codes, etc etc. But they are also a lot of fun to get to meet, and many of us have had nice meet-ups in a downtown bar!

es NECESARIO CONTACTAR PREVIAMENTE A SU ENTRADA CON LA ASOCIACIÓN. Puede llamar o escribir whatsapp a los teléfonos :

+34 622 29 34 13/ Asociación
+34 615 95 27 63 / Paco
+34 619 86 01 98/ Nely
+34 649 80 61 50/ Mercedes

 

[chinacat]

That had been my perspective as well, though I have never walked it. When I posted on the forum that several forum members had offered the opinion that it wasn’t that interesting, other forum members quickly pushed back with their very different opinions after having walked it. I think it’s safe to say that I have heard both good and bad reports, sort of like the debate about starting in Lisbon. And what I like may be different than what you like, of course!

Álvaro Lazaga walks several caminos a year and always has a youtube segment for each stage. Here is the first one for his Via Augusta and you can easily find the rest if you are interested.

That video is a reminder that flat (often) = windy!

 

[naplesdon]

I would love to join you but January is out of the question for me.

 

[Itsnever2late]

I've decided on the Mozarabe starting in Almeria. Tentatively, ending in Cordoba this time. But I'll play it by ear, maybe ending in Merida if I'm really enjoying myself.

Hi Stephan, Adding to @peregrina2000 great advice.

1) Get a "feel" for each of the stages from

CAMINO MOZÁRABE

Camino de Santiago, de Almería a Mérida.

www.youtube.com

and the daily facebook posts https://www.facebook.com/CaminoMozarabeDesantiagodealmeriagranada/

2) Nely is my preferred whatsapp contact. (Limited response via email)

3) Limited mobile coverage on two mountain stages. Ensure you have offline maps for navigation.

4) Prepare for minor stream crossings.

5) Download and read the online material, and how the association manage the Albergues.

NOVIEMBRE-24 GUIA CAMINO MOZARABE ALMERIA-MÉRIDA-2.pdf

drive.google.com

Albergues ING.pdf

drive.google.com

6) Credentials available from the almeria Tourist Office, or from the association directly

Oficina Municipal de Turismo · P.º de Almería, 12, 04001 Almería, Spain

★★★★☆ · Tourist information center

maps.app.goo.gl

7) Weather awareness from caminoweather.com, for example

January weather forecast for the Camino Mozárabe from Almería

Get a personal daily weather forecast for the Camino Mozárabe from Almería for the exact dates you're planning to go. Or browse to pick the best time of year.

caminoweather.com

8) Finally Enjoy

 

[Stephan the Painter]

Thankyou @peregrina2000 And @Itsnever2late for the information and good wishes.

 

[debigetsout]

You have win-win choices, and whatever you choose (clearly now the Mozarabe) it will be a good one. We walked the Mozarabe in Jan/Feb 2024 and loved it, even more than the Serrana (which we walked in I think February 2023). We did not encounter inclement weather on the Mozarabe, although people starting two weeks after us experienced some snow and wind, so weather conditions are luck of the draw. We benefitted from the advice of numerous contributors to this forum, and contributed some information ourselves (our Find Penguins blog is still accessible... see the link in our Mozarabe forum posts).

One qualifier: I like to complete routes from beginning to end, and typically select a route where I have time to make that happen. However, the Mozarabe becomes far less interesting a day or two after Granada, so you are definitely walking the best part.

Enjoy, and keep us posted, particularly with new information about the route.

 

[Stephan the Painter]

You have win-win choices, and whatever you choose (clearly now the Mozarabe) it will be a good one.

Enjoy, and keep us posted, particularly with new information about the route.

Thank you! It's been pushed a little bit ahead and now will be in March. And the plan is to walk from Almeria to Cordoba and then decide whether to keep going.

I'm worried that it might be wetter in March than in January. Cold is OK, rain is miserable. I will have some flexibility on my starting date so I can watch the weather predictions.

And I'm keeping my options open, and I may still do a completely different Camino!