Camino de Santiago and heatwaves: a practical guide by routes for safe pilgrimage in summer

Heatwaves are becoming increasingly frequent in Spain, and the Camino de Santiago is no exception to this reality. In this guide, we explain which routes have more manageable temperatures in summer, how to organize your stages to avoid extreme heat, and what symptoms distinguish simple exhaustion from a heat stroke that requires calling 112.

Heat waves have ceased to be a rarity in Spain. They are becoming increasingly frequent, longer, and more intense, and the Camino de Santiago is not immune to this reality. In summer, when the route attracts the highest number of pilgrims of the year, temperatures can turn some stages into a much more demanding test than expected. July and August are the most sought-after months, but they are also the toughest from a climatic perspective.

This guide is not about generic advice. It is about real planning: which routes to avoid if heat concerns you, which routes to choose if you want to enjoy the Camino in the height of summer, how to organize your stages to escape the sun, and what to do if you or someone in your group starts showing signs of heat stroke.

Walking outdoors and under the sun in summer can lead to heat strokes if precautions are not taken.

The Camino de Santiago in summer: a very different experience depending on the route

Not all Caminos heat up the same way. The route you choose in summer can mean the difference between walking in the morning with a pleasant breeze or dragging yourself, at times, at 40 degrees with the asphalt radiating heat from your feet. Understanding the climatic profile of each route, if you are going to walk the Camino de Santiago in summer, is the first step to planning well.

The French Way through Castilla and La Rioja can exceed 40 °C in stages without shade. The Meseta between Burgos and León is particularly harsh: kilometers of open path, without trees, exposed to the sun from early on. The Silver Way is directly inadvisable in the height of summer: in Extremadura and northern Andalusia, temperatures can reach 45 °C with stretches without any possible shelter. However, routes such as the North Way, the Primitivo, the English Way, or the Portuguese Way by the Coast have a completely different thermal behavior, with temperatures in August remaining between 20 and 27 °C thanks to the influence of the sea. Not to mention the Way to Finisterre and Muxía, which offers spectacular wild beaches in its final stages.

The routes and the heat: what to expect on each itinerary

The quick summary is this: the coastal and northern routes of the Peninsula are cool and perfectly manageable in summer; the interior Castilian or southern routes are demanding or directly inadvisable in the hottest months. From cooler to warmer, the approximate order would be as follows:

• Primitive Way — 20–26 °C. The coolest. Mountain air guaranteed even at noon.
• North Way / English Way — 22–27 °C. Cantabrian and Atlantic influence. Highly recommended in summer.
• Portuguese Way (coastal) — 24–28 °C. Constant ocean breeze. The alternative to the more popular French Way.
• Winter Way — 28–34 °C. Alternative to the French Way through southern Galicia. Manageable if you start early.
• French Way — 35–42 °C. Demanding in the Meseta. Feasible with good time management.
• Silver Way — 38–45 °C. Incompatible with July and August in the southern section.

The wind from the Atlantic Ocean will refresh you as you walk

The coolest routes: why the North, Primitive, English, or Portuguese Coastal Way are the best bets in summer

If you can choose the route freely and heat is one of your factors, there are three itineraries that clearly stand out above the rest. All three share the Atlantic or Cantabrian influence, which acts as a natural regulator of temperature and ensures that even on the hottest summer days, the conditions are perfectly manageable.

North Way: perfect temperature, postcard landscape

The North Way runs along the Cantabrian Sea from Irún to Santiago. The sea breeze keeps temperatures between 20 and 27 °C even in August, and at the end of many stages, you can cool off at the beach. It is the longest of the usual routes, but also the most rewarding in summer from a climatic point of view. Its only weak point is the demand: in summer, it is advisable to book accommodation in advance, especially in the busiest sections of Asturias and Galicia.

Primitive Way: the wildest

It departs from Oviedo, crosses the mountains of Asturias and the interior of Lugo, and arrives in Santiago via Lugo capital. The average temperature in August ranges from 20-26 °C, without heat waves and with guaranteed fresh air even at noon. The Primitive Way is the most demanding route of the Camino in terms of accumulated elevation gain, so it is advisable to arrive with serious physical preparation. However, if this condition is met, it is probably the most complete summer experience that the Camino offers.

English Way: short, cool, and without crowds

The English Way departs from Ferrol (118 km) or A Coruña (74 km). Being in Galicia and close to the sea, temperatures rarely exceed 27 °C in summer. It is the perfect option for those with few days available, who want to avoid the heat, and prefer a more intimate and secluded route. Despite its name, it is traveled by pilgrims from all backgrounds and at all times of the year.

Portuguese Way by the Coast: the fastest-growing option

The coastal variant of the Portuguese Way by the Coast follows the Atlantic coastline of Portugal and Galicia with average temperatures of 24-28 °C in summer. The combination of ocean breeze, estuary landscapes, and stages that end near the sea makes this stretch one of the most sought after in the summer months. It is the alternative to the French Way for those who want a popular route with a lively atmosphere but without the heat of the Meseta.

On the Portuguese Way by the Coast, there are no excuses for not swimming

The hottest routes: how to tackle the French Way or the Silver Way in summer

Not everyone can choose the route without restrictions. Many pilgrims have been planning the French Way or the Silver Way for months and are not going to change it because of the heat. And they are right: these are perfectly doable routes in summer if planned well. The problem is not the heat itself, but ignoring it or underestimating it.

The French Way: the most popular, the most demanding in Castilla

The Navarre and Rioja section is manageable in summer with good time management. The problem begins in Burgos. The Castilian Plateau —from Burgos to León, about 200 km— is the area with the highest thermal risk of the entire French Way: an open path, without shade, with temperatures that frequently exceed 38-40 °C between 11 AM and 5 PM. The key to successfully navigating this section is simple: finish the stages before 1 PM, which means leaving between 5:30 and 6:30 AM at the latest.

To make it more concrete, a well-organized day on the Plateau in the height of summer could look like this: leaving the shelter at 5:30 AM, when there is already enough light; breakfast in the first village with an open bar around 8:00 AM; the first long stop in the shade with water and salt replenishment around 10:00 AM; arriving at the destination shelter before 1:00 PM to rest during the hottest hours; and if the stage allows, resuming the walk after 5:00 PM when the temperatures begin to drop.

However, for those who wish to undertake the Camino in summer without facing the heat of the Plateau, the Camino from Sarria is an especially wise option: the last 110 km run entirely through Galicia, among shade, greenery, and temperatures well below those recorded in Castile or La Rioja. The shade is almost constant, the stages are shorter, and the villages are closer together. If the heat of the Plateau concerns you, it is worth knowing that the Galician section is the gateway to one of the coolest and most beautiful routes of the entire Jacobean path.

The French Way in Galicia offers a very pleasant landscape against the heat

The Silver Way: only in non-summer seasons

The Silver Way from Seville is an extraordinary route: unique landscapes, few pilgrims, a solitude that cannot be found on any other Jacobean route. However, in July and August, it is directly inadvisable. Extremadura and northern Andalusia in summer mean 42-45 °C, and on this route, stretches without shade or services can extend for hours. If you have the Silver Way in mind, the recommendation is to undertake it in spring or autumn. If your only window is the summer months, consider starting from Salamanca or Zamora, where the heat is already more manageable and the landscape remains spectacular.

Another interesting alternative is the Sanabrés Way, the variant that diverts from Puebla de Sanabria towards Santiago through Ourense: starting already in the heart of the Zamora plateau and quickly entering Galicia, it avoids the toughest stretches of the south and allows for the Silver Way to be done in summer under much more reasonable weather conditions. It does not have the dramatic landscapes of the Extremadura stretch, but it compensates with the Galician green and temperatures that are more similar to those of the French Way in its final stretch.

The golden rule: how to organize your day in summer

The most repeated advice —and rightly so— is to rise early. The most experienced pilgrims are clear: leave early, walk in the cool, and seek shade when the sun is strong. However, rising early is not enough if the rest of the day is not managed well. Here are the key points to organize a safe summer day:

• Departure: between 5:30 and 7:00 a.m. depending on the route and the stretch. In the Plateau, the earlier, the better.
• Noon break: the time frame from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. is the one with the highest thermal risk, and ideally, you should have finished the stage by then. But if you have not yet reached your destination, do not walk during that interval if the thermometer exceeds 32 °C; seek shelter in a bar or dense shade and stay still.
• Resume in the afternoon: if the stage is long, it is possible to resume walking from 5:00-6:00 p.m. with temperatures that are already more manageable.
• Constant hydration: drink every 20-30 minutes without waiting to feel thirsty. In extreme heat, at least 500 ml per hour of walking.
• Sources on the Way: identify them with an application for the Camino de Santiago. Do not leave a village without completely replenishing your water.
• Never alone in extreme heat: in case of discomfort, it is essential to have someone nearby who can call for help.

Pilgrims refreshing themselves after completing a stage

Heat stroke on the Way: recognize it and act in time

This is the most important section of the article. Heat stroke is a medical emergency, not just a simple "heat illness" that can be resolved with water and shade. If not treated immediately, it can cause brain damage, multi-organ failure, and in extreme cases, death. The WHO considers it the leading cause of weather-related death. Knowing how to distinguish it from simple heat exhaustion can make a difference.

Heat exhaustion: the warning not to ignore

Heat exhaustion is the preliminary phase. The body signals that it is reaching its limit, and if action is taken at that moment, the situation can be prevented from worsening. The most common symptoms are heavy sweating with pale or cool skin, muscle weakness, dizziness, mild nausea, headache, and extreme fatigue, with body temperature still below 40 °C.

What to do: seek shade or a cool place immediately, lay the person down, offer cool water in small sips, and apply damp cloths to the neck and forehead. Rest for a minimum of 30 to 60 minutes before continuing.

In case of heat stroke, rest, shade, and water

Heat stroke: medical emergency, call 112

Heat stroke occurs when the body completely loses its ability to regulate its temperature. The most characteristic —and dangerous— signal is that the skin becomes hot, dry, and red: the sweating mechanism has failed. This is accompanied by confusion or disorientation, incoherent speech, body temperature above 40 °C, seizures, and possible loss of consciousness.

Call 112 immediately. It is an emergency and will not resolve on its own. While help arrives, act as follows:

• Move the person to shade or a cool place.
• Remove outer clothing to facilitate heat loss.
• Apply cold water to the neck, armpits, and groin: these are the areas where blood vessels are closest to the surface.
• If the person is conscious, offer fresh water in small sips. Never give alcohol, caffeine, or sugary drinks.
• If they lose consciousness and are breathing, place them in the recovery position.
• Do not administer fever medications such as aspirin or paracetamol: they are not effective against heat stroke and may worsen the situation.

If you are traveling with an organized group, inform the guide or the coordination team as soon as you detect the first symptoms. An experienced agency has protocols for these situations and can manage the transfer to the nearest medical center without the rest of the group having to improvise everything.

If you are traveling in an organized group, inform the guide of a possible heat stroke

Heat-resistant equipment: what to bring and what to leave at home

Heat can also be fought from the backpack. The wrong clothing, incorrect footwear, or the lack of certain basic items can turn a difficult stage into a dangerous one. Here is what is essential for a well-equipped summer Camino, and what is advisable to leave at home.

What is essential

There are seven items that go from optional to essential in summer. If any are missing, the stage becomes unnecessarily complicated.

• Wide-brimmed hat or cap that protects the nape, ears, and forehead. A classic baseball cap is not sufficient: it leaves the nape exposed to the sun for hours.
• Breathable technical long-sleeve clothing in light colors. It may seem contradictory, but long sleeves made of technical fabric protect more from the sun than bare arms and help maintain a more stable body temperature.
• Water bottle or hydration pack with a minimum capacity of 1.5 liters. Refill at every fountain, without exception.
• SPF 50+ sunscreen for frequent application: every 2 hours, and more if you sweat a lot.
• UV400 protective sunglasses, especially in sections without shade.
• Oral rehydration salts or electrolyte tablets, which replenish the minerals lost through sweat and are much more effective than water alone in situations of intense heat.
• Wet towel: applying it to the neck immediately reduces the thermal sensation.

On the Camino, you should always wear a cap or hat.

What to leave behind

As important as bringing the right items is not carrying unnecessary ones. In summer, the weight punishes double, and there are items that many pilgrims pack out of habit but that make no practical sense in July or August.

• Cotton clothing: absorbs sweat but does not wick it away, causes chafing, and weighs more when wet.
• Heavy winter boots: in summer, trail shoes or lightweight technical footwear are more than sufficient and significantly reduce fatigue.
• Excess warm clothing: a light layer for the morning and evening is sufficient on most routes in summer.

Regarding the total weight of the backpack: in summer, the recommended maximum is 8-10% of your body weight, not the 10-15% that is suggested in other seasons. The heat multiplies the effort, and every extra kilo is felt sooner. If you are doing the Camino with an agency and have the option of luggage transfer, in summer it is especially valuable: walking only with the essentials can make the difference between arriving well at your destination or abandoning the stage halfway.

Don't let the heat ruin your experience on the Camino de Santiago.

Do you want to do the Camino this summer without worrying about the heat?

In summer, the shelters fill up early, and any setback —an illness, a blister, a stage shortened by the heat— can leave you without a bed in the town you had planned. An organized pack eliminates that problem from the root: accommodation reserved in advance, guaranteed luggage transfer, and a team to call if any unforeseen event arises. You can leave whenever you want, stop whenever you need, and have the certainty that upon arrival, there is a bed waiting for you. The Northern Way, the Primitivo, the English Way, and the Portuguese Way along the Coast are perfectly feasible in summer; the French Way is also doable if you start early and rest during the hottest hours. The key is not to avoid summer, but to plan it well. Request a personalized quote...we help you design your summer Camino!