Walking the Camino in January

Tips for undertaking the Camino de Santiago in January, with information on weather, most recommended stages, available services, and suitable equipment, helping to plan the route in winter and face the cold, rain, and lower influx of pilgrims safely.

Have you ever wondered if it is possible to do the Camino de Santiago in January? In the month of New Year's resolutions, you might fulfill a very special one, the Camino de Santiago, and start the year with pilgrim energy. In this article, we will guide you through everything you need to know to walk the Camino in the heart of winter. Keep reading, you will find very valuable information for your journey.

A fork in the Camino

Why choose January to walk the Camino?

January is the month of the Roman god Janus, who with his two faces, closes the doors of the old year and looks positively at the new year. Be like him: walking the Camino de Santiago in January will help you have a positive mindset in the incoming new year. It may seem like an unusual choice, due to the cold and rainy winter weather, but the good news is that you will also find fewer pilgrims than at other times of the year. That is why January offers a quieter Camino, where you can connect with nature in a unique way. The winter landscapes with frost, snowflakes, solitary forests, and silent villages inspire countless feelings of unparalleled serenity.

Advantages of pilgrimage in January

Walking any Jacobean Route in January is ideal if you seek time for yourself and to reflect on your projects for the coming year. You will have the entire Camino to yourself and will also enjoy everything it offers:

• Quiet tranquility: with fewer pilgrims walking, the peace of the Camino will be your only companion and everything will be calm around you.
• Unique landscapes: admiring the dreamy winter scenes, with the sparkle of frost in the fields, will enhance your walk.
• Accessible routes: there are several recommended routes in winter, easy, beautiful, and suitable for all audiences.
• Solitary introspection: the Camino, the best place to find yourself.
• Emotional recharge: new year and new Camino, which will recharge your batteries and make you more positive to carry out your future projects.

Pilgrim reflecting

Precautions if you are going to do the Camino de Santiago in January

January is a central month of winter and not everything that glitters is gold, incense, and myrrh, and you must consider the following:

• Much cold and rain: you will need to carry more weight in your backpack.
• Days with fewer hours of light: the days will be shorter and you will have less time to walk.
• Fewer accommodations and available services: it is low season and many accommodations and services temporarily close.

Things to keep in mind when doing the Camino in January

In our post about doing the Camino in Winter, we provide you with all the information you need to travel a Jacobean Route in January, with all the tips to ensure an unforgettable experience, what to bring in your backpack, and which are the best routes. Broadly speaking, we advise you to follow these tips:

• Choose a route with a priori milder weather, such as the Portuguese Way.
• Prepare well against low temperatures and precipitation.
• Book your accommodations in advance and ensure your rest.
• Know and experience the gastronomy and culture of the places you pass through.

For those who love two wheels, doing the Camino by bike is a very interesting alternative, as it allows for a longer Jacobean Route.

People biking on the Camino

In this last case, perhaps your backpack will not be sufficient, and you must keep in mind that you should not carry more than 10% of your body weight. If this is the case, it is best to avoid complications and let them carry your backpack.

Starting the year and embarking on a pilgrimage is a brave and rewarding choice. With fewer pilgrims, you will have more opportunities to connect with yourself and with the nature that surrounds you. Moreover, Christmas is in its final days, and like a wise man, any Jacobean Route will offer you a magical experience for the new year. If you are willing to face the cold and the rain, an unforgettable adventure awaits you on the Camino de Santiago in January.