Camino Francés
Weather in January

Weather Overview

Walking the Camino Francés in January presents consistently cold conditions across the route, with daytime temperatures ranging from about 5°C to 14°C and nights regularly dropping below freezing. Temperature varies noticeably by region: Nouvelle-Aquitaine remains the warmest at around 13°C during the day, while you enter colder terrain through Navarre and Castille and León, where daytime averages fall to 8–9°C. Galicia offers a slight reprieve with milder days near 12°C, though the coastal influence brings its own challenges.

Rainfall becomes your primary weather concern. Castille and León, covering seventeen stages, experiences the heaviest precipitation with rain expected on fourteen of those days, while Galicia receives rain on all eight of its stages. Light to moderate rain predominates rather than heavy downpours, but the frequency means persistent wet conditions. Wind gusts can reach 60 kilometres per hour, particularly on exposed ridgelines and across the higher plateaus of central Spain, making exposed sections feel considerably colder.

Elevation compounds these challenges significantly. High passes like Foncebadón at 1426 metres will be substantially colder than lower valleys, with night temperatures potentially reaching -3°C or below. Start your walking days early to maximise daylight hours and allow time to descend before dark. Layering is essential—base layer, insulating mid-layer, and waterproof outer shell—since you will experience rapid temperature swings between sheltered valleys and windswept ridges.