Routes of Santiago de Compostela in the wintertime

Making the Routes of Santiago de Compostela will be a unique experience any time of the year, but there’s no doubt each era has its advantages and disadvantages. Let’s see the positive and negative points of the Santiago de Compostela Routes in the wintertime to help you decide and prepare yourself properly for these dates.

Advantages in wintertime 

• Since the routes are not overcrowded at this time of year, it will be a more intimate experience with yourself.
• The silence and tranquility of towns and landscapes will be your companions during the pilgrimage.
• You will have more time to reflect with yourself.
• The schedule will be more open; you will not have to get up early to get a bed in the hostel or to book it.
• You can start walking at mid-morning and avoid the frosts from dawn.
• You will not see a pilgrims’ conglomeration, so you will have no problem eating and other services.
• If you like photography, you will find wonderful snow-covered landscapes that will leave you with your mouth open.

Disadvantages in wintertime 

• The route’s hardness will be related to the weather.
• You should plan better where to rest and stop to eat since some places close at this time of the year.
• You must plan what you need if you find a stretch with snow because it can be dangerous if we do not go well equipped.
• You will have more dead hours that you will not be able to take advantage of for seeing different paths because of the time, and you will have to find shelter.
• There are more accidents during these dates because of complicated stretches with snow like the first stages of the French Routes.
• You must be careful not to get lost as there are fewer hours of light, and it will make the routes more difficult.
• You will find paths covered with mud in addition to the snow, which means your physical preparation must be better.
• In addition, the backpack will be bigger and heavier because of the winter clothes.

Essential things that you should carry in your backpack

• Waterproof and high cane boots.
• Similar to skiing gloves, hat, and scarf.
• Long sleeve thermal shirts.
• Waterproof and removable mountain pants.
• Windbreaker for your backpack and you.
• Sleeping bag.
• A reflective for the darkness hours.
• Additional battery for your mobile in case you get lost.