Where to cross for Fernanda from Litoral- (Porto start)

[ConnieJ]

Litoral to Central for Casa de Fernanda- Allowing 3 full walking days and night 4 at Fernanda's. My question is; Do I cross over at Vile de Conde, Agucadoura or Vila Cha? I'm finding this so confusing. Wanting Litoral and Spiritual Variente but have Fernanda's booked for the 4th night. Just want the easiest, way marked and lovely scenery. We don't want to go more than 12-15 miles per day.

 

[naplesdon]

You should contact Albertinho by PM. He is friend of hers and would be able to suggest the safest route. There are several routes but if it were me I would cross over to Barcelos from Esposenda and spend the night there and walk to Fernanda's the next day.

 

[KariC]

I crossed at Vila do Conde.

 

[ConnieJ]

You should contact Albertinho by PM. He is friend of hers and would be able to suggest the safest route. There are several routes but if it were me I would cross over to Barcelos from Esposenda and spend the night there and walk to Fernanda's the next day.

Thank you!

 

[ConnieJ]

I crossed at Vila do Conde.

Ok thanks so much!

 

[naplesdon]

I crossed at Vila do Conde.

Sure you don't mean Viana do Castelo? Vila do Conde is hardly one stage out of Porto. Viana do Castelo is a wonderful place for a day of R and R and sightseeing.

 

[BobY333]

I'm not saying this is the "best" way, but this was our way, and we loved it: Porto - Matosinhos - Vila do Conde - Franqueira (another treat!) - Casa Fernanda (an absolute highlight!). We also walked the Variente Espiritual, and the Ruta de la Piedra y el Agua was the prettiest part of any Camino we've walked (despite the rain that morning). Buen Camino!

 

[ConnieJ]

I'm not saying this is the "best" way, but this was our way, and we loved it: Porto - Matosinhos - Vila do Conde - Franqueira (another treat!) - Casa Fernanda (an absolute highlight!). We also walked the Variente Espiritual, and the Ruta de la Piedra y el Agua was the prettiest part of any Camino we've walked (despite the rain that morning). Buen Camino!

May I ask where you stayed in Franqueira? So your 4th night was at Fernanda's correct? Thats what I figured for. I want to start out slower this time. Started in Leon a few mos ago and did 20.8 miles the first day. 16 the second day.. my knees were done and I had 9 blisters!! lol

 

[trecile]

Sure you don't mean Viana do Castelo? Vila do Conde is hardly one stage out of Porto. Viana do Castelo is a wonderful place for a day of R and R and sightseeing.

Is there a marked trail between Viana do Castelo and the Central route?

 

[ConnieJ]

May I ask where you stayed in Franqueira? So your 4th night was at Fernanda's correct? Thats what I figured for. I want to start out slower this time. Started in Leon a few mos ago and did 20.8 miles the first day. 16 the second day.. my knees were done and I had 9 blisters!! lol

It looks like once you are on the central there is not really a way to get back to litoral without trailing backwards? Has anyone been able to get ahold of Antonio? He is not on Whatsapp and I heard he doesn't speak English well so I may need to call to reserve a night with him?

 

[naplesdon]

Is there a marked trail between Viana do Castelo and the Central route?

I think it is road walking, not my favorite way to move about in Portugal.

 

[naplesdon]

It looks like once you are on the central there is not really a way to get back to litoral without trailing backwards? Has anyone been able to get ahold of Antonio? He is not on Whatsapp and I heard he doesn't speak English well so I may need to call to reserve a night with him?

Do you mean Albertinho? He has just posted some comments on anther thread.

 

[BobY333]

May I ask where you stayed in Franqueira? So your 4th night was at Fernanda's correct? Thats what I figured for. I want to start out slower this time. Started in Leon a few mos ago and did 20.8 miles the first day. 16 the second day.. my knees were done and I had 9 blisters!! lol

We stayed at Quinta Do Convento da Franqueira. It was pricey for a Camino, but worth it. It’s an historic building, and we swam (in October…brrr…) in the pool that was once the irrigation system for the monks. Piers was a wonderful host. We were the only ones there, and he allowed us to stay just one night versus his usual two night minimum.

We started out slowly. The walk to Matosinhos was beautiful and short. That allowed us to go to the beach in the afternoon and then enjoy a wonderful seafood dinner. The next day was a good walk to Vila do Conde and we stayed at Venceslau Boutique Wine Hotel and had the best dinner of our Camino at their restaurant.

Then on to Franqueira and then Fernanda.

Whatever path you choose, enjoy!

Bob

PS - we live near the shore, so we enjoyed the two days of walking along the coast, but to us it lacked the Camino spirit since they’re tourist-oriented towns. So, we were ready to get to the interior and the village paths. But that was just us.

 

[ConnieJ]

Do you mean Albertinho? He has just posted some comments on anther thread.

No, I mean Antonio in Pedra Ferada

 

[naplesdon]

No, I mean Antonio in Pedra Ferada

Sorry, I stayed there too. It was a very interesting place

 

[trecile]

Sorry, I stayed there too. It was a very interesting place

Interesting as in good or strange?

 

[naplesdon]

Interesting as in good or strange?

Good, but it is after a short section of road walking which is really scary

 

[Flog]

Good, but it is after a short section of road walking which is really scary

Oh, I think I know that section of road. The cobbled, curved road with the steep camber, no footpath and high walls on both sides? Feels like you are in an enclosed racetrack with nowhere to get out of the way, luckily it's only a few hundred metres, but more than a little unnerving.

To the OP:
If you want to follow the coast, Porto to Vila do Conde is 30km or so. A very pleasant day's walk but for many it's long way and you could always split it at Matasinhos. Onwards from Vila do Conde through Rates to Barcelos is the popular route from the coastal to central way.

 

[Albertinho]

Is there a marked trail between Viana do Castelo and the Central route?

No ! Follow the road N308 to the village of Balugães and pick up the waymarkers there or walk on to signs of the road N204 direction Ponte de Lima . Turn to the left in the direction of Ponte de Lima on the N204 and after approx. one and a half km at the right side you’lo see a busstop cross the road to the busstop and there you’ll find the waymarked path and after two kms Fernanda is at the left side of he road.

 

[Albertinho]

Sorry, I stayed there too. It was a very interesting place

Pedra Furada is good for a coffee or a lunch and a stamp
he rents 3 rooms one diuble bed room, we stayed in once and two rooms with three single beds.
if you like jazz music, Antonio is your pal.

 

[SushiNinja]

I also crossed from Vila do Conde after having walked the Litoral way out of Porto. There were a few signs from Vila do Conde to Pedro de Rates but had to get redirected by some kind locals too. Lovely donativo church-run place to stay at Rates..

 

[Albertinho]

I also crossed from Vila do Conde after having walked the Litoral way out of Porto. There were a few signs from Vila do Conde to Pedro de Rates but had to get redirected by some kind locals too. Lovely donativo church-run place to stay at Rates..

with John Brierley’s guide the track from Vila do Conde to São Pedro de Rates was easily to find

 

[ConnieJ]

Sorry, I stayed there too. It was a very interesting place

worth a stay or skip? Isn't his restaurant Michelin rated?

 

[Albertinho]

worth a stay or skip? Isn't his restaurant Michelin rated

worth a stay or skip? Isn't his restaurant Michelin rated?

you can order a burger or other simple dish and a coffee or a beer. And a stamp in your credencial.Nice people

 

[ConnieJ]

Sorry, I stayed there too. It was a very interesting place

He’s not open for overnight yet. We called

 

[Albertinho]

He’s not open for overnight yet. We called

Your next stay though can be the albergue in Barcelinhos ( just left before the bridge or the one in Barcelos. Plenty of hotels, hostals, etc. in Barcelos.

 

[Lizremedy]

You should contact Albertinho by PM. He is friend of hers and would be able to suggest the safest route. There are several routes but if it were me I would cross over to Barcelos from Esposenda and spend the night there and walk to Fernanda's the next day.

Do you have a route for this crossing from Esposende to Barcelos? Or gpx track? It would be my choice to cross here but isnt shown in any guide. Thanks

 

[Lizremedy]

You should contact Albertinho by PM. He is friend of hers and would be able to suggest the safest route. There are several routes but if it were me I would cross over to Barcelos from Esposenda and spend the night there and walk to Fernanda's the next day.

Hi I want to cross from.coadt to central either at Esposende to Barcelos or Viana do Castelo to Ponte de Lima. Do you have any further information or gpx tracks for those routes? Much appreciated

 

[trecile]

Hi I want to cross from.coadt to central either at Esposende to Barcelos or Viana do Castelo to Ponte de Lima. Do you have any further information or gpx tracks for those routes? Much appreciated

The KML file I have for maps.me for "all" routes in Portugal doesn't have a crossing in those areas.

 

[Lizremedy]

The KML file I have for maps.me for "all" routes in Portugal doesn't have a crossing in those areas.

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Thanks, yes that's why I asked. I have seen a very few mentions of these routes in other posts, and have messaged those people directly but no response.