Walking the Camino de Santiago in autumn can be a magnificent option with many advantages. Let’s not forget that a good part of the route runs through the Galician forests, overwhelmingly beautiful at that time of year. We will also walk along vineyard areas, where we will have the opportunity to enjoy their best colors on these dates. Brown, yellow and red, still truffled with a lot of green, will accompany us along the Camino de Santiago in autumn.
The Camino de Santiago, less crowded in autumn
We know that many pilgrims enjoy The Way at very busy times of the year, such as spring and summer. But we are also aware that many of you are looking for more tranquility. Therefore, walking the Camino de Santiago in autumn is a good option for all those who prefer to enjoy a little more solitude, time for yourselves, to reflect and to clear your mind. Fall is surely the best time to connect with nature while doing the Camino de Santiago.
The weather in autumn on the Camino de Santiago
Although the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula has a reputation for rain, and it is true that it is not undeserved, autumn does not mean eternal rains either. What’s more, we can still find many sunny days and it is possible that the showers are only momentary. If we do the Camino in the months of September and October, we will basically enjoy what we call “veroño“, which is summer weather during autumn months.
In addition, this climatic combination offers us an unrepeatable luxury: the smell of humidity with the flavor of leaves, wood and earth that is breathed in the forests. Nature in its purest form, for our lungs, and for our spirit.
However, if we think of routes such as the French Way, in the sections in which it crosses the Castilian Plateau, doing the Camino de Santiago in autumn, we can avoid the high temperatures of the months that go from June to September and, above all, the unrepentant noon sun.
The temperatures at this time of year are still mild. It is sure to get quite chilly throughout the night, but the central hours of the day are great for walking.
Gastronomy in autumn on the Camino de Santiago
Like the seasons, Spanish gastronomy goes around the sun four times throughout the year. On the Camino de Santiago we can find magnificent seasonal products in autumn, a great reward for the effort during the route.
In autumn, you already feel like eating warm dishes, and throughout the north of Spain you can taste delicious soups and stews to warm up body and soul.
Although it seems that we all go crazy with seafood in summer, in many cases autumn is the best time to consume it fresh in season. Let’s not forget that the Seafood Festival in O Grove is celebrated in the month of October.
Autumn is the mushroom season par excellence. We will see a lot of them while we walk through the forests. Forget about those, but do not hesitate to taste them in many restaurants.
Let us not forget the seasonal fruit par excellence, which is the chestnut. Every time, we see it in more gastronomic elaborations. In Galicia, it was a product that had a huge role in food, before the arrival of corn and potatoes. This tradition is recovering today in many restaurants. In addition, in some towns, we will also see the typical street stalls that offer them roasted in a cornet. It is, of course, the time of Magosto, a typical galician social meeting around chestnuts, food, and fire. Do not hesitate to participate in one of them if you have the opportunity.
Santiago(é)Tapas
If you walk the Camino de Santiago in November, you may have a plus when you arrive in Compostela: annual Santiago (é) Tapas tapas contest. Most of the city’s locals participate and, this year, it will take place between November 11th and 18th.
Also keep in mind that, as there are less people, you will be able to access those restaurants whose gastronomy you don’t want to miss more easily. At Rutas Meigas we can help you with these recommendations and we can also manage your bookings.
Autumn gastronomy and the best wines
The Camino de Santiago crosses a lot of Denominations of Origin of the best wines in Spain. We can taste its magnificent wines to accompany this seasonal gastronomy, and also enjoy the beautiful landscapes in the vineyard areas.
The best routes on the Camino de Santiago in autumn
The further south we move, the better weather conditions we will always find. That´s why the routes that run further south are ideal at this time. The Portuguese Way, which runs close to the coast, will undoubtedly be the one with the most benevolent temperatures, although the Vía de la Plata or the Winter Way, more inland, offer us incredible landscapes.
The route of the French Way is highly recommended in autumn if you want to go through “the one and only” in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Tips for the Camino de Santiago in autumn
- Remember that days are shorter, so you have to manage the hours in which you are going to walk.
- Don’t forget a good, hooded raincoat that you can carry in your backpack for rainy moments.
- Make sure your boots are waterproof, you don’t want to step into a puddle and walk the rest of the day with wet feet.
- Bring some warm clothing, especially to go out in the afternoon / evening for a walk at the end of the stage, and also some thermal clothing if you go out very early in the morning.
Although in autumn you may need clothes from different seasons, due to the thermal variation throughout the day, do not worry about the luggage. We organize your luggage transfer on each stage of the Way.
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