Camino Frances in winter.

[meloje]

Hi there,

I have enough time off to do the whole camino frances,but it will be late november start,can anybody who has done it over this time please tell me what the weather is like and if it is worth doing over this time or should I try and plan another time?

Thank you.
Meloje.

[Sil]

I think it depends on where you come from. I am from the sub-tropics and would probably have a really miserable time in Europe in winter. If you are used to cold and snow you could probably survive.
The weather is unpredictable. Last year there was a sudden cold spell in mid-October with freezing temperatures, snow and blizzards. Then, in the first week of November there was an Indian summer for about 4 days before the cold weather returned.

Here is a link to a 30th October news video of wintery weather across Spain:
http://www.rtve.es/mediateca/videos/20081028/varias-comunidades-estan-alerta-por-peligro-nevadas/325712.shtml?s1=noticias&s2=&s3=

This is a link to a pilrim's blog on the Via de la Plata in late October last year:
http://haloranch.blogspot.com/2008/10/r ... -hail.html

And November at O Cebreiro:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJgi62ZO ... re=related

You can check my blog post on Winter Walking for other links to articles and pilgrims' tips on walking in winter.

http://amawalker.blogspot.com/2008/10/w ... amino.html

[Demetrius]

Hello. I really appreciate your work. This post has been interesting and informative as well. I had a lot of fun. See you around.

[pgras]

Sil please let me know what to take ( minimum) for my walk at the end of October starting on the 28th until the 7th of NOvember. I can only walk for one week! loved your blog

[geraldkelly]

Hi Meloje!

The Camino is worth walking any time of year. Northern Spain has a very variable climate in winter and you're likely to experience a bit of everything. So you need to go prepared for just about any type of weather. You're not likely to see much snow and then only on higher ground. It won't get much below freezing so you don't need really serious cold weather gear. What is likely is rain, especially in Galicia. So good rain gear is essential plus clothes to keep you comfortable down to 0C.

Are you planning to walk the whole thing? That could mean Christmas in Santiago. Sounds like fun!

Ger