Best time of year to walk the Camino de Madrid

When planning your journey on the Camino de Madrid, choosing the right time of year can make all the difference in terms of comfort and enjoyment. While every season offers something unique, the ideal months for walking this route are April to May, or September to early October. These months provide the perfect balance of mild temperatures and lower chances of extreme weather events, giving you the best opportunity for a smooth and pleasant experience.

Why April and May?

Starting your Camino de Madrid in April or May means you’ll enjoy springtime along the way. The landscape is lush, with blooming fields and greenery surrounding the path, offering spectacular scenery. From a weather perspective, these months offer comfortable walking conditions, avoiding both the extremes of heat and cold. Spring showers are possible, but you’ll avoid the heavy downpours, as rainfall tends to be lighter and more spread out.

Why September and early October?

For those who prefer the late summer and early autumn feel, September and early October are equally good options. The heat of mid-summer has subsided, and temperatures settle into a comfortable range for walking. The cooler evenings and mild days make this period particularly inviting, allowing you to cover more ground without feeling overheated. Additionally, early autumn in Spain offers golden, sunlit landscapes, and with the grape harvest in full swing, you may even pass through areas bustling with seasonal activity. Like in spring, rainfall is manageable, and extreme weather events are unlikely.

Why Not Summer or Winter?

Walking the Camino de Madrid in summer can be challenging due to higher temperatures, with long stretches of exposed trail and little shade. Meanwhile, winter months bring colder temperatures and increased rainfall, making the journey less comfortable, particularly with fewer daylight hours.

If you're seeking the ideal weather for your Camino, April, May, September, and early October are your best bets. These months offer the right mix of warmth, sunshine, and mild conditions to ensure a rewarding and enjoyable journey along the Camino de Madrid.

Of course, while these recommendations provide a solid starting point, everyone's preferences and circumstances are unique. For example, if you prefer walking in the cooler morning hours to avoid midday heat, you might prioritize dates with drier conditions. On the other hand, if you are more accustomed to colder climates, you may choose to avoid hotter periods - even if it means encountering more rain. Our search tool allows you to customize your journey to align with your specific needs and preferences, ensuring the best possible experience on the Camino.

Furthermore, if your plan differs from walking the standard stages from Madrid to Santiago de Compostela, then you can edit the Search Settings below accordingly.

How to find the best time of year to walk the Camino de Madrid

  1. Limit the Average Daily High to below 25°C/77°F.

    This ensures you won’t be walking in overly hot weather.

  2. Limit the Average Daily High to above 15°C/59°F.

    Similarly, this ensures you won’t be walking in cold weather.

  3. Limit the Historical Record Daily High to below 35°C/95°F. (Advanced filters)

    This might sound similar to the first step – but instead of looking at averages, it filters out extreme temperatures that don’t happen every year. In other words, you’re excluding those parts of the year when there might be a heat wave.

  4. Limit the Historical Record Daily High to above 5°C/41°F. (Advanced filters)

    Like the previous step, this applies to extremes instead of averages – but this time you’re excluding cold snaps.

  5. Limit the Historical Record Daily Precipitation to below 10mm/0.39in. (Advanced filters)

    This step excludes those times of year which might have storms or intense showers.

  6. Limit the Average Daily Precipitation as much as possible.

    If the previous steps haven’t narrowed down the search to 20%, you can further limit the dates by finding the overall driest periods.

Feel free to use this guide as a starting point to find the time of year that best suits your personal needs and preferences. By tailoring the filters to your specific situation, you can discover the perfect time of year for your Camino.

Below is our weather search tool, with the filters already set up according to this process.

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