April 18th -good time to start?

[larrybarrett2]

Hello,
My first post,after reading so many great things in this forum.....
I've read much about overcrowded hostels in Mid May,but most of these posts were pre 2010,when I understand more facilities were made available.....any comments on weather,crowding,etc/..I've been training for this experience,am 67,and in good shape....
thanks,
Larry

[Pouveer]

Lots of new pelgrims hotels have opened since then. You must remember though, that April 2009 was a holy year, so very many Catholics walked the route over Easter (April). It was really very full, especially over the last 100 km. It is not a good time to be on ly Camino over Easter. The whole holy week you should skip unless you want to see the processions, which are quite spectacular. If you start higher up - e.g. St Jean or Pamplona, it should not be a problem though. April could be still very cold. We had snow and freezing early morning temparatures. I have walked the Camino in streched of 300-400 km. July/August was very hot. Last year we walked the last 400 km in September. That was the nicest walk of all. Not too cold, not to hot. Just nice. Same temparatures like May/June, but not so full.

[geraldkelly]

Hi Larry

That time of year the busy period is Easter. During Easter week it'll be busy. So try to avoid being on the last 100km then.

Outside Easter week the Camino is only crowded in July/August and then only from Villafranca del Bierzo onwards.

Weather that time of year will be a mix of everything. So you'll need to pack for heat, cold and rain. Lots of advice available elsewhere on this forum.

Ger

[heyjude]

Thanks for this thread. That's about when we will be starting, too. Hadn't even considered that Easter might be busier, but good to know that the SJPP end might not be a problem. Hope to see you there.
Judy

[HuskyNerd]

Easter is April 8 this year, so you won't have any problem with that since you're starting April 18. My experience in May/June of 2011 was that there are tight spots along the way, for instance at Villamayor de Monjardin (where the municipal albergue was condemned and closed, leaving only the private albergue) but that there generally were beds until about 17:00 each night. However, you'll likely be cruising into Santiago about the end of May so I'd predict you'll have little problem with accommodation, even in the very last stretch before SdC. Buen camino!

[grayland]

Since (as Sandy points out) you will be starting after Holy Week and Easter, you should not have any problems. I have walked twice during Holy Week and thru Easter...2010 was also a holy year...I really did not have any problems. I think that if you were up near Sarria or the end during Holy Week it would be troublesome.