Walking St Jean-Santiago with Feb1 start date

[Melanie Boyd]

Hello fellow pilgims, I am very excited to be planning my first trek and would love to do the St Frances trail starting at St Jean Pied de Port, however, I am concerned about the conditions from St Jean and beyond at this time of year. Is it possible to start there and what would we be faced with and for how long? I have Feb and March available to do walk and trying to figure out where the safest place is to start so I can maximize the time on the trail. Thanks for the help

[nathan]

as you are no doubt aware the start of the camino is the hardest bit. there will definatley be snow in the pyrennes. some high paths will be closed but alternative paths may be open as i'm sure will be the roads. as regards how safe?....follow the advice you pick up from the locals....if they say a route is not safe do not attempt it. Do some trial walks first and make sure that your gear is up to the job....that your boots are waterproof, that your raingear is adequate. you will need hi vis vest for early morning walking. i walked in the pyrennes a couple of christmasses ago....they are lovely, if you are well prepared it should be fine....but please be well prepared

[HuskyNerd]

I concur with Nathan. In answer to your other question, given the likely weather, a more logical start would be Roncesvalles or even Pamplona. If you do start at St. Jean, make certain to check in with the pilgrim office there. It'll have weather reports for you and an advisory about the logic of crossing the mountains on your particular day. Remember, you'll cross 3 mountain ranges (at Foncebadon and at O Cebreiro as well as after St. Jean) and this time of year you have a chance of snow on any of them. As Nathan wrote, do watch the weather reports and listen closely to advice of your local hospitalero. Buen camino!

[BAPA4]

I notice this is your "first"trek.If you intend to walk the Camino in Feb.you will need to be an experienced and very hardy "trekker".As Husky Nerd rightly points out,there are three mountain ranges to cross but the weather is likely to be difficult in many other places. You need to make sure you are very well prepared for this journey,both in terms of fitness and gear.Also note that many Albergues close in winter,and your guide book may not provide this detail.I can't imagine what it would be like to be stranded in winter weather on some of the more remote areas of the Way.