The weather, sometimes, is capricious, isn’t it? What bad luck, the weeks leading up to your vacation with sunshine, and when the moment arrives, it rains! You surely recognize this feeling, right? It’s happened to all of us at some point in life… and how frustrating it is! And perhaps you wonder… what if that happens to me on a pilgrimage route? What to do if it rains on the Camino?
But hey, who said fear of water? As the saying goes, in bad weather, keep a good face. So, if you find yourself in this situation, don’t get discouraged, you’ll see that in the end everything has its silver lining. In this post, we’ll tell you what the Camino de Santiago is like in the rain and what you can do in a waterlogged experience.
What do I take to the Camino if it rains?
Whenever we think about the best time to do the Camino de Santiago, we do so thinking about avoiding rain, and you know it! Tough luck, because the reality is that many times, even if the weather forecast seems favorable, it ends up raining, or vice versa.
You have to be prepared if you’re going to do the Camino de Santiago in the rain
So, the first piece of advice is that if you’re going to travel any pilgrimage route, you always have to be prepared for rain! The most important thing is not to get wet, so for the stages, you’ll need to stock up on waterproof clothing. What to take to the Camino, in these cases, is, at least, the following:
- waterproof hiking boots;
- comfortable waterproof clothing, including covers;
- raincoat, a basic one, full body or half body, or a waterproof trekking jacket;
- backpack with waterproof cover;
- credential with cover;
- changes of clothes (socks, etc.);
- umbrella, which can be the perfect substitute for a trekking pole and shelter you if necessary.
It’s important to check the temperature for that day and choose your clothing carefully. Keep in mind that you’ll be wearing waterproof outerwear, which generates a lot of heat. So if it’s not cold, don’t overdress underneath, we don’t want you to arrive roasted!
If it doesn’t rain in the end, think that if you were expecting rainy weather, so much the better. If you plan to carry many things because of the rain (changes of clothes, coat, shoes, etc.), our advice is to rely on a luggage transport service.
What to carry in your backpack if it rains on the Camino de Santiago
In Galicia it always rains: Myth or reality?
Well, a bit of both: it’s a myth because it doesn’t rain all the time, but it’s a reality that it rains a lot in Galicia. With an average of approximately 150 days of rain per year, its geographical position and oceanic climate explain why it rains so much in Galicia.
They say that Galicians carry bad weather with them, as if it were a hallmark. But without that rain, the green Galician landscape wouldn’t exist. And without it, there would be no cows, no milk, no cheese, no beef, and many of the delicacies of Galician cuisine wouldn’t exist either. Think about it if you’re unlucky enough to have to do the Camino in the rain.
And it’s true that it never rains to everyone’s liking. And continuing with proverbs, Galicians say that “nunca choveu que non escampara“, which means, whenever it rains, it will eventually stop.
Sooner or later, it always stops raining on the Camino
Tips in case it rains during the Camino de Santiago
The main problem a pilgrim may encounter is getting their shoes wet, so we recommend making sure you wear waterproof footwear. You can carry a second pair of shoes in your backpack, as well as changes of socks.
But what if I still get my feet wet? If it rains a lot, it’s possible for water to get into your shoes, and also keep in mind that you may encounter puddles of water. If you see that it’s raining heavily, it’s best to find a place to take shelter until it stops raining. If you’re lucky enough to find a bar with a stove or heating, you can warm your shoes and feet. Remember that it’s not advisable to stand for a long time with wet or cold feet, as you’re vulnerable to catching a pilgrim’s cold.
As for clothing, since there were indications that it might rain and you’ve been prudent, you stop and put on waterproof layers. You should carry a portable raincoat and a cover for your backpack in your backpack, ones that take up the same space as a pack of tissues. If you don’t have anything with you, try to buy a raincoat in the nearest village.
Dry your clothes at your accommodation
Once you arrive at your accommodation, whether it’s a pilgrim’s hostel or another type, you should dry your clothes, especially your shoes. But aside from airing it out, what if there are no radiators to dry it? It may be the case that you find yourself in accommodation that doesn’t have any electrical appliances to dry your shoes. Don’t worry, desperate times call for desperate measures: you can wrap your shoes inside and out with newspaper overnight, as the paper will absorb the moisture.
Pilgrim walking with a raincoat
Advantages of doing the Camino in the rain
And now you’re probably wondering: what’s good about doing the Camino de Santiago when it rains? Well, let me tell you, dear pilgrim friends. It will be an experience you’ll never forget, and you’ll have plenty of anecdotes to tell. The reality is that misfortunes bring people together, and with the rest of the pilgrims, you’ll share the experience and lots of laughter.
However, it’s also possible that there will be fewer people, so the services will be less crowded. And besides, in Santiago de Compostela, rain is art, and it’s beautiful to arrive in this city shaped by water.
Enjoying the Camino in the rain
Walking in the rain “has its something”, (if it’s not torrential), with rushing rivers and a brilliant landscape. Enjoying the Camino de Santiago in the rain is a very common experience among all pilgrims that generates anecdotes and socialization. With good preparation and attitude, now you know what to do on the Camino de Santiago if it rains. Let nothing stop you, not even the rain!
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