Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela

[trinity]

We plan on walking from Leon to Santiago between Sept. 5 and 19. What is our weather likely to be? Thanks

[JohnnieWalker]

Hi Trinity

One thing is for sure: the weather is becoming increasingly unpredictable. What pilgrims experienced at this time over the last few years is no longer a guarantee that's what you'll get this year. The sage advice is to rely on up-to-date predictions close to your time of travel. For historic reports have alook at these:

http://groups.msn.com/ElCaminoSantiago/ ... ances.msnw

http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/Europe.htm

Happy planning.

[sillydoll]

Hi Trinity,
I walked from 23rd August to beginning of October last year. We had three days of solid rain in the beginning but then it cleared up and the days were beautiful.
I have walked in May/June in June/July and in late August,September/October and by far the best weather has been in September.
From Leon (which is at 822m) you will climb to the highest point of the entire camino frances, soon after Manjarin which is at 1517m. Then you have another climb to O'Cebreiro - 1300m. It can be really cold at night at those altitudes. We managed with a light fleece pullover and a light fleece jacket. I also took a parachute jacket (that rolls up into a ball) and often wore all three at night and in the mornings: then we moulted outer layers as the sun warmed up.
I have photos of us sitting in the sunshine in a beautiful garden at the albergue en el Camino in Boadilla on the 7th September. The following days were gorgeous with cool mornings, warm days, and pleasantly cool evenings. All my photographs - besides those taken in Santiago - where we had some drizzle - are sunny and bright.

Boadlilla Garden.jpg (60.66 KB) Viewed 345 times

[notion900]

I walked starting Sept 9 in SJPDP for 5 and a half weeks last year. The weather was great in the most part, hot and dry with a few thunderstorms in the late afternoons in the first part, then getting cooler into the Bierzo and Galicia by mid October. You can get frosts at night in Sept / Oct so you need to have thin layers you can peel off one by one, as it will be cold when you leave in the early morning sometimes. Take care when stopping for a rest or lunch break at altitude as you can chill very quickly especially if you are a bit sweaty - put a fleece on when you stop, even if you feel hot. The heat on the meseta was pretty adverse at times, you MUST wear a wide brimmed hat, sunscreen and pace yourself. One armed sun tan is a pilgrim hazard (as you are always facing west!) so long sleeves can be helpful. As for the rain, its important to have a waterproof pack liner, so your sleeping bag does not get wet and you always have something dry to change into. Overall I would say that Sept / Oct is a brilliant time to go as far as weather is concerned. Prepare well, travel light and you'll have a great time.

PS The pic of the pool brought back happy memories, I spent my birthday at this refugio, run by such lovely people. The pool was freezing though!!!