Rain on the Camino de Santiago: What to do and how to protect yourself

Peregrinos en el Camino de Santiago - Mercedes Rancaño Otero/iStock

Knowing in advance the weather on the Camino de Santiago is a very useful fact that all pilgrims should know before starting our journey. However, even if we have the forecast in advance, the truth is that the rain can surprise us at any time on the Camino. Along with this fact, is that the routes most traveled by pilgrims are those of the north of the Iberian Peninsula, so it is likely that in all of them it will rain for more than one day.

What happens if it rains? It's okay, the rain can also give us good times and anecdotes. The rain cleans and purifies the air, so that you can walk enjoying the pure air. This will help your breathing to be more fluid and make it easier for you to regulate the effort of the walk.

The rain also softens the climate, if it is summer and it is excessively hot, or winter and very cold, it will be regulated in an average temperature. In short, bad weather, good face, right? Rain has its good things too! However, we should be attentive to a series of measures that will help us have a good experience doing the Camino de Santiago if the rain surprises us.

How to protect yourself from the rain on the Camino de Santiago

After having commented on some of the charms that rain has on the Camino de Santiago, we give you some advice on what to do and how to protect yourself during our journey. Rain is inevitable, and as we mentioned before, it can appear by surprise at any moment so it is best to face it with the best of spirits.

The first of all is to anticipate events. After looking at the weather that will be on the Camino de Santiago, if there is no forecast of rain but there are heavy clouds, it is advisable to take the appropriate measures so as not to end up in floods and catch a cold. Here we leave you a series of suggestions on what clothes and accessories to wear when it rains.

Bring poncho or jacket

When it starts to rain, it is important to have adequate protection to protect us and try to keep us dry as much as possible. The best option would be to use a lightweight, waterproof jacket. There are special ones for these occasions, known as Tres Cuartos, which avoid water to a greater extent. If we also choose a jacket with a hood, we will have more protection, and if they are rollable at the neck they will be more comfortable. On the other hand, the poncho has a drawback and that is that with the wind it is a bit ineffective.

Waterproof pants

Second, to protect the lower part of our body is the possibility of wearing waterproof pants. There are several types, although the purpose is the same for all: protect from water and allow perspiration. You can choose between full leg or half leg pants, which usually have waterproofing on the front.

Quick-drying technical fabric pants

Quick-drying technical fabric shorts are another good option. The only disadvantage would be to go with your legs exposed to the rain, but if it is not too cold they can enliven the Camino, since they are more practical and dry very quickly.

Leggings

Leggings are very useful accessories to avoid dust that is on the Camino de Santiago and not be full of dirt. When it rains, they also become good allies by preventing boots, socks, pants from the bottom or our legs from getting wet.

Boots

If you don't know what footwear to take on the Camino de Santiago, boots are a comfortable choice for the rain. In addition, they help our feet during the journey so that we do not get injured and do not suffer so much when walking long hours. For rain, it is advisable to use boots with any type of waterproof or moisture repellent system.

Visor cap

The cap with a visor is an essential accessory in summer, to avoid prolonged sun exposure and protect ourselves from the sun. However, using it during winter will also be very practical, because it will prevent the rain from falling directly on the face and obstructing our vision. The objective of the cap with a visor is to help protect us, and if we also wear a hood, it will increase significantly.

Cover to protect the backpack

Another very important element for all pilgrims is the cover to protect the backpack. However, it does have some weak points, such as getting a little wet when the rain falls between the back and the backpack.

For this problem there are different solutions that you can apply. You can buy a more modern backpack, because most already have these waterproof contact points. Another option is the use of sprays that waterproof the entire backpack. Or if you prefer something cheaper and simpler, the traditional bags that we all have at home can protect the interior of the backpack and elements that are inside. According to health regulations, using backpack covers is recommended for hygienic prevention.