Camino Francés
Weather in December

Weather Overview

December along the Camino Francés brings genuinely cold conditions, with daytime temperatures ranging from around 5°C to 16°C and nights regularly dropping below freezing. The route grows progressively colder as you move inland and gain elevation, shifting from the relatively mild Pyrenean foothills near Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port into the harsh central plateau of Castille and León, where daytime averages hover near 8°C and nights often fall below zero.

Rainfall is frequent and persistent, particularly in Galicia where you will encounter wet conditions on roughly five days out of eight, and across the northern sections of Navarre and Castille and León. Expect light to moderate rain rather than heavy downpours, but the cumulative effect over 36 stages is significant. Wind gusts can reach 58 kilometres per hour, particularly savage on exposed ridgelines and across the windswept meseta. High passes like those approaching Foncebadón at 1426 metres compound this exposure, where temperature drops sharply and wet conditions become dangerous underfoot.

Plan to start your daily walks early, before afternoon weather deteriorates. Layer strategically rather than relying on single heavy items—thermal base layers, insulating mid-layers, and a waterproof outer shell are essential. Your boots must be broken in and genuinely waterproof; wet feet at freezing temperatures lead quickly to serious problems. Carry a headtorch; December darkness arrives by 5 pm across most of Spain.