HERE’S EVERYTHING I PACKED TO WALK A CAMINO IN SPRING.
In March 2024 I arrived in Porto, ready to walk the Camino Portuguese – this time the coastal route, having previously walked the central. I was super excited – not only to see Porto again, but also as my Mum would be joining me for a few days of the walk. If you’ve read our blog before, you’ll know that the Camino has become a huge part of our lives -so being able to share it felt really special.
I digress. So, I was leaving Porto in March and knew that I’d arrive to Santiago de Compostela in early April. My plan was then to either spend more time in the city, or head to the Camino Frances to meet John – which is what I did in the end.
The weather on the Camino Frances can be totally different to the Portuguese coast, so I packed for all eventualities. To be honest, this is a good strategy in spring – the weather can be very changeable.
This certainly proved to be true – my first few days in Porto were so gloriously hot that I spent hours sunbathing on the beach. By the time I started the walk, temperatures had dropped to around 12-14°C and the rain would not let up. By the time I arrived to Santiago the first time, the sun was poking through. But then I got onto the Frances and we had very cold temperatures up in the hills. In short – I had all the weather.
Here’s everything (yes literally everything) that I packed to walk the Camino (Portuguese and Frances) in March and April.
My backpack & shoes
I always carry an Osprey backpack – mine is the Tempest 30 litre for ladies. I’m a firm believer that nobody should carry more than 40 litres on a Camino.
I always wear Hokas for the Camino. Specifically, the Challenger. Yes my feet got wet a lot, but these dry so quickly.
What I packed for walking
Here’s everything I packed to wear for walking during the day.
Leggings – I prefer walking in leggings than hiking trousers.
One pair of shorts – I actually did wear these to walk a few times
Two walking t-shirts. In the summer I wear sleeveless, but in spring I like to cover my shoulders.
Two sports bras – it’s harder to wash clothing in spring so having two is essential for me.
Anti-blister walking socks. I actually packed four pairs and I’m glad I did as they take ages to dry.
Layers and accessories
In addition, I also packed the following.
A warm beanie hat – I wore this a lot.
A baseball cap – to wear walking when the sun was out.
A cosy sweater or walking fleece.
Waterproof gloves – essential in the rain.
Sunglasses for when walking in the sun.
Waterproof and windproof jacket.
Poncho for the extra rainy days.
I also packed three/four pairs of underwear and a bra that I could wear in the evening.
What I packed for the evening
I always find packing for the evening the hardest part of my Camino packing list. On a summer Camino, things are a bit easier – sandals and a dress for me. But in the spring or autumn, it’s a bit trickier. Here’s what I chose:
A lightweight pair of pants that I could wear to a restaurant.
A simple white t-shirt.
In addition, I also added an extra pair of leggings (in case the others were very wet) and a pair of lightweight canvas shoes. Specifically, my trusty TOMs.
TOMS – super versatile footwear. And lightweight.
Don’t forget pjs
I like to go for an oversized t-shirt, something a bit fun like this “Pilgrim Era” tee to wear in bed on the Camino.
The toiletries I packed
Toiletries can add significant weight to a backpack, so I always keep things minimal – all toiletries are 100ml or less.
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Soap
- Moisturiser
- Moon Cup
- Mascara
- Blusher
- Lip balm
- Tooth brush
- Toothpaste
- Sunscreen – for arms, shoulders and face.
- First aid – blister plasters, painkillers and antihistamine.
What else was in my bag?
A trek towel – vital if you stay in albergues.
A European phone charger and long cable.
A power bank for charging my phone on the go.
A sleep sheet – essential packing for albergues. I opted for albergues and private rooms that supplied bedding, otherwise I would go for a sleeping bag in spring.
Waterproof backpack cover. Essential at this time of year.
And of course, also in my bag were a few extra essentials:
- Mobile phone;
- Headphones;
- Baby wipes;
- Water bottle;
- Swimsuit (my one packing error – more on that below!)
- A few garbage sacks for extra waterproofing of my bag;
- Packing cubes to separate my items;
- Passport and pilgrim credential (wrapped in a waterproof sandwich bag).
You can find out more about essentials to pack for the rain on the Camino here.
What one item do I wish that I’d packed?
Looking back, I could definitely have ditched the swimsuit. Yes, I did wear it a few times in Porto when the sun was out, but I think it was ambitious to think it would come out regularly during my trip.
Instead of this, I would have packed a thick pair of socks to wear in bed. Something super cosy that I could keep clean. There’s would be something so lovely about always knowing that I could pull on a nice fluffy pair of socks at night in an albergue.
Want to know more about packing for the Camino?
We’ve put together a list of FAQs about packing – you can find that here. This will help you to decide what you should pack.
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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