September

[Gene Silva]

David wrote:

Does anyone have a feel for what crowd conditions may be like on the
latter part of the Camino in September? I imagine it will be crowded but
I am in my seventies and really don't relish sleeping on schoolhouse
floors every night. I would be happy to spend the occasional night in
paid for accomodation - modestly priced that is - but will even that be
available? Consequently it is with some trepidation that I contemplate
the French route from Ponferrada on in the last two weeks of September
and wonder if it might make more sense to try the Portuguese
route.Thoughts of those with some experience will be appreciated.

David:

I walked from Leon to Santiago along the so-called "French route" in
September of 2000 and had no difficulty finding rooms every evening in
modestly priced hotels and other similar lodgings. There are a number of
clean and quiet private rooms available for those who prefer to avoid
staying in refugios for whatever reason. I can't comment on whether the
volume of traffic this year will be any greater than it was in 2000, but my
best guess is that you will have no problem finding suitable accommodations
assuming an early start each morning and reaching your intended destination
no later than mid afternoon. Keep in mind that the sun rises after 8 am
during the month of September in Spain so starting early may mean walking in
the dark for awhile.

Some of the small hotels and rooms above the ubiquitous "bars" where I
stayed were more than adequate. Many had spacious bathrooms with limitless
hot water as well as good mattresses and a restaurant that served meals in
the evening and coffee in the morning; just the sort of amenities you will
want after a long day on the road.

Gene Silva