Christmas/New Years Period?

[oliebolz]

Hello All
I am looking to walk the Camino during December

I walked a 8 days last year from StJPDP to Logroño I had blood blister on my foot blow out and go septic(40'c temperatures sure didn't help ). I would like to continue the Camino Frances from Logroño to Santiago de Compostela this December. I'd like to get to Santiago de Compostela on new years day.

Has anyone walked the Camino Frances during December? If so any tips?

Does anyone know if the Alberges close over Christmas/New Years Period?

Here is the rough plan;
11/12 - Logroño - Nájera 29 km
12/12 - Nájera - Redecilla del Camino 32.6 km
13/12 - Redecilla del Camino - San Juan de Ortega 35.4 km
14/12 - San Juan de Ortega - Villalbilla 32.4 km
15/12 - Villalbilla - Convento de San Antón 29.6 km
16/12 - Convento de San Antón - Población de Campos 32 km
17/12 - Población de Campos - Calzadilla de la Cueza 32.4 km
18/12 - Calzadilla de la Cueza - Bercianos del Real Camino 32.2 km
19/12 - Bercianos del Real Camino - Puente de Villarente 32.3 km
20/12 - Puente de Villarente - Villadangos del Páramo 32.3 km
21/12 - Villadangos del Páramo - Astorga 28.1 km
22/12 - Astorga - Foncebadón 25.9 km 374.2 km
23/12 - Foncebadón - Ponferrada 27.2 km
24/12 - Ponferrada - Trabadelo 32.3 km
25/12 - Trabadelo - Hospital de la Condesa 24.3 km
26/12 - Hospital de la Condesa - Samos 25 km
27/12 - Samos - Ferreiros 28.1 km
28/12 - Ferreiros - Eirexe 26.5 km
29/12 - Eirexe - Ribadiso da Baixo 33.2 km
30/12 - Ribadiso da Baixo - Pedrouzo (FR 300 m) 22.4 km
31/12 - Pedrouzo (FR 300 m) - Santiago de Compostela 19.2 km

Thanks in Advance

Oliebolz

[Covey]

In theory, all the "official" albergues should be open all year round, but I suspect some will not open over the Christmas period, especially where they are manned by volunteers.

The two designated official albergues in Logrono will be closed when you get there as the main one is under new management and the other states it is closed from Oct - March.

You should budget on having to use small hotels/Casa Rurals over Christmas and possibly longer and these will cost you €25/35 per night, but the advantage is they should have heating. Quite a number of the official albergues have very minimal or NO heating. As the weather might be somewhat cold and wet or snow, the ability to dry clothes becomes somewhat important.

Best of luck and Buen Camino.

[Anna-Marie]

Hi oliebolz,

I walked in November, not December, but I interviewed someone who walked in December. She started in Roncesvalles at the end of November, and got to Santiago just after Christmas. She talked about what it was like to walk in the snow, and what she wore--you might find it helpful. It sounds like an amazing, if rather chilly, experience.

Buen Camino!
Anna-Marie

[geraldkelly]

Hi Oliebolz

I walked from St Jean to Puente la Reina over New Year a few years ago. Many of the hostels were closed. In Zubiri we rented an apartment from the man in the shop. I think we paid €10 each. However, in those days there was only one hostel in Zubiri, now there's three. So I'm sure you'll manage fine. It was cold.

Ger