The best time of the year for the Camino de Santiago

The Camino de Santiago in winter time

November, December, January, February and March are the least crowded months on the Camino de Santiago. Walking during these months will give you an introspective, reflexive and unique experience. The trip is often solitary, however the encounters are usually more intimate and deep. Along the way it is easier to feel the solidarity of the other pilgrims, as well as of the locals who are more open and friendly during this time of the year.

Certainly, these are also the toughest months to walk, therefore before leaving it is good to take into account these factors:

• The backpack is heavier since more equipment is needed to protect from the cold weather and the rain.
• The days are shorter, which is why the stages need to be modulated according to one's skills.
• Many hostels are closed and the options to take breaks are fewer, which makes some stages mandatory.
• Good resistance to cold weather is needed, as it might happen to walk in the snow and lodge in places with an inadequate heating system.

Keep in mind that the first stage of the French Way from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles, through the Lepoeder pass, on the Pyrenees, is closed from November 1st to April 1st and occasionally also later on due to weather conditions. During this period, it is mandatory to take the alternative route for Valcarlos at a lower altitude, safer for the pilgrims.

The Camino de Santiago in summer time

July, August and September are the busiest months on the Camino de Santiago. At this time of the year, it is unlikely to walk alone. Because of summer holidays and good weather, summer is the time when most people take the Camino de Santiago. It is ideal for those who want to experience it in a social way and to meet people with the same target.
Summer time also has logistical advantages because:

• Days are longer and this allows to moderate stages better
• The backpack is much lighter as less equipment is needed

Useful tips to walk the Camino de Santiago in August

For those who decide to walk in August, it is important to consider these factors:

• In some stretches, for example in the Mesetas, the hours for walking are reduced because of the high temperatures; in the afternoon these can go beyond 35 degrees Celsius.
• Finding a place where to sleep in the pilgrims’ hostels can be challenging due to the high number of people, especially between Sarria and Santiago.

A good tip to prevent the inconveniences linked to the heat and the crowd is to leave early in the morning in order to avoid walking in the hottest hours. Moreover, by leaving early and arriving earlier at the destination, there is a higher chance to find a place where to sleep.

For those who prefer walking at their own pace, without stress and without waking up at dawn to find a place for the night, it is recommended to:

• Choose alternative stages: All guides suggest more or less similar stages that concentrate most pilgrims in the same small towns. Be aware that those are indicative suggestions; along the Camino it is possible to find lodging also in less known locations. By stopping in these places, there are more chances to find a bed for the night and to feel more relaxed. It is available on our website a useful "route planner", which allows one to personalize one’s route step by step, to see the list of available hostels, also in less known locations, in order to choose the preferred spot for the stages.
• Book the pilgrims’ hostels in advance: Along the way, there are many private hotels that accept reservations. The prices are similar to the ones run by the local council, which cannot be booked in advance. It is possible to reserve a bed by using our list with a few simple clicks without additional costs.

The weather along the French Way

What kind of weather will I find along the French Way? Many pilgrims ask us this question before starting their journey. The answer can be quite difficult, considering that the way is 800 km long and crosses four regions with different atmospheric characteristics: from the mountain climate of the Pyrenees, to the dry and arid of the Mesetas, and to the humid and rainy weather of Galicia.
The first part of the way goes through the North of Navarre, a region characterized by humid climate and rain throughout the year. The rainiest months are April and May (10 days of rain), and the average temperature is 13.9°C.

Below are the average temperatures and rainy days in Pamplona:

The way continues through La Rioja and Castilla y León, where there is a mediterranean continental climate, with typically long and cold winters, with average temperatures between 4 and 7°C in January and short, dry and warm summers with scarce rainfall. The segment between Burgos and León, in the Mesetas plateau, is especially challenging and tiring to walk during the summer months since the weather is extremely warm and dry and the temperature reaches 35°C.
Below are the average temperatures and rainy days in Burgos:

Alto do Cebreiro marks the entrance to the region of Galicia: here it is found a mild, oceanic climate, with heavy rainfall throughout the year (especially in winter) and mild temperatures, both in summer and winter (20°C in July and August and 6/9°C in winter).
Below are the average temperatures and rainy days in Santiago de Compostela:

Statistical data are provided by globalclimatemonitor.

The best resources to check the weather along the way:

• See the rain in live time on the Camino de Santiago
• Official Spanish weather website for forecast along the Camino de Santiago