Which camino is the best to walk in October?

[Marielle de M]

Hello! I am preparing to walk the Camino in October 2019. I am looking for hikes of average 20 km a day, to start with (I think). I would like to be a bit flexible (e.g. walk more or less km's) and also would like to be able to meet some people and socialize a bit along the way. My idea is to walk the VdlP starting from Salamance for a variety of reasons (good temperature for that time of year and that part of Spain attracts me). However, I am doubting as I read that the distances maybe long before getting to a place to sleep (e.g. 25-30 km per day), uncertain if I can fairly easily get access to transportation if needed/desired. Also, along the way it may not be possible to have get food/drinks so have to carry with me. Any advise you have for me on the VdlP or advise to take another route? Many thanks, Marielle (Netherlands)

 

[Deleted member 3000]

You will have the most flexibility on the Camino Frances. There are many closings at the end of October on all the routes, but the Camino Frances supports the "standard stages."

 

[Marielle de M]

You will have the most flexibility on the Camino Frances. There are many closings at the end of October on all the routes, but the Camino Frances supports the "standard stages."

Many thanks Falcon. Much appreciated. I will surely consider this!

 

[t2andreo]

Places of accommodation and eating typically stay open longer into the autumn on the Camino Frances than on other routes. Also, there are more larger towns and cities along this route. They will, of course, be open year round.

Also, as there are relatively more pilgrims on this route year-round, this round remains the best one to find "tag along" pilgrims, to make friends, socialize, etc. Finally, for any woman walking solo. it remains the overall safest route, because there are likely to be others to tag along with in the morning. All the Camino routes are very safe, even for solo women. But, why temp fate?

Do wear bright clothes or at least accents like hats and gloves you can be seen . Also, there is an autumn hunting season out in the country along the Camino routes.

Wear a whistle, install Alert Cops on your smartphone. The 112 emergency number works in Spain. Try to walk within eyesight of other pilgrims heading in the same direction.

Hope this helps.

 

[happymarkos]

Hello! I am preparing to walk the Camino in October 2019. I am looking for hikes of average 20 km a day, to start with (I think). I would like to be a bit flexible (e.g. walk more or less km's) and also would like to be able to meet some people and socialize a bit along the way. My idea is to walk the VdlP starting from Salamance for a variety of reasons (good temperature for that time of year and that part of Spain attracts me). However, I am doubting as I read that the distances maybe long before getting to a place to sleep (e.g. 25-30 km per day), uncertain if I can fairly easily get access to transportation if needed/desired. Also, along the way it may not be possible to have get food/drinks so have to carry with me. Any advise you have for me on the VdlP or advise to take another route? Many thanks, Marielle (Netherlands)

Hi Marielle
Am walking from Salamanca this April. You could walk up to Astorga and join the CF. If you plan carefully you should be able to meet your daily targets. If unsure catch a bus for a few kms then walk.
If you decide on the CF at 20 km day average from St Jean you will need 40+ days which means walking in November. We found last year on The CF most of the albergues had closed late October and also snow and lots of rain in early November.
Perhaps start in Burgos end of September?? The Meseta is stunning in autumn.
Buen Camino

 

[Trude]

Camino Francés.......

 

[Albertagirl]

@Marielle de M
I walked the Via de la Plata in October-November 2017, leaving Seville on Oct. 3 and Salamanca on Oct. 25. The temperature was much more comfortable from Salamanca onward. I followed the Sanabres route on to Santiago, arriving on Nov. 21. My walking days averaged 20 km. Attached is a file showing how far I walked each day and where I stayed. Ignore the row labelled "Balance" which was strictly for my advance planning of kms per day. I had no difficulty finding accommodation and did not prebook. You should probably have a phone, as a couple of albergues required me to telephone for access. Buen camino.

 

[surya8]

Portugues could be an option as well. Depending on how much time you have you could walk from Lisbon. I walked at the end of Oct from Santarem, that's 3 day's walking distance from Lisbon, all the albergues are open at that time of the year. There is plenty of budget accommodation options on the route as well. There were between 2-3 and 8-9 people on the stage on a given day when I walked. This Camino is becoming more and more popular so even at the end of the season it's possibly to have a company. I started alone and then we formed a Camino family, we walked together till Porto. Weather is still hot durung the day, some rains came only in Nov after Porto onwards. It's possible to walk shorter stages on the route if you want. Santarem-Coimbra: I only walked the 30km stages there as stayed only in the albergues but there are budget pensions and more albergues have been open since then (I did it a year and a half ago). After Coimpbra the stages are short, there are more options, and many more people. The full list of accommodation is here: http://www.vialusitana.org/caminho-portugues/albergues/
From Porto onward it's much busier, both the Coastal and the Central way are operational at this time of the year, even most campings are open on the coast till the end of Oct. At the begining of Nov some of the alberbues might be closed between Lisbon and Porto but all the municipal albergues and many private ones will still be open between Porto and Santiago, more of them on the Central way and the route is busier. So all the infrastructure is there, as on the Frances. Short stages are possible from Porto, very flexible route there. Bom Caminho!

 

[Marielle de M]

@Marielle de M
I walked the Via de la Plata in October-November 2017, leaving Seville on Oct. 3 and Salamanca on Oct. 25. The temperature was much more comfortable from Salamanca onward. I followed the Sanabres route on to Santiago, arriving on Nov. 21. My walking days averaged 20 km. Attached is a file showing how far I walked each day and where I stayed. Ignore the row labelled "Balance" which was strictly for my advance planning of kms per day. I had no difficulty finding accommodation and did not prebook. You should probably have a phone, as a couple of albergues required me to telephone for access. Buen camino.

Thank you very much for your response. Very helpfull!

 

[Marielle de M]

Portugues could be an option as well. Depending on how much time you have you could walk from Lisbon. I walked at the end of Oct from Santarem, that's 3 day's walking distance from Lisbon, all the albergues are open at that time of the year. There is plenty of budget accommodation options on the route as well. There were between 2-3 and 8-9 people on the stage on a given day when I walked. This Camino is becoming more and more popular so even at the end of the season it's possibly to have a company. I started alone and then we formed a Camino family, we walked together till Porto. Weather is still hot durung the day, some rains came only in Nov after Porto onwards. It's possible to walk shorter stages on the route if you want. Santarem-Coimbra: I only walked the 30km stages there as stayed only in the albergues but there are budget pensions and more albergues have been open since then (I did it a year and a half ago). After Coimpbra the stages are short, there are more options, and many more people. The full list of accommodation is here: http://www.vialusitana.org/caminho-portugues/albergues/
From Porto onward it's much busier, both the Coastal and the Central way are operational at this time of the year, even most campings are open on the coast till the end of Oct. At the begining of Nov some of the alberbues might be closed between Lisbon and Porto but all the municipal albergues and many private ones will still be open between Porto and Santiago, more of them on the Central way and the route is busier. So all the infrastructure is there, as on the Frances. Short stages are possible from Porto, very flexible route there. Bom Caminho!

Thank you! I had not considered that route yet and will have a look at it based on your response.

 

[naplesdon]

I would second coastal Portugues.