Advice re transportation Coastal Route - Portugese

[Ian Salsbury]

Hello, I have just returned home having hiked 296 miles of the Camino Frances from Saint Jean. I came home early due to a serious blister and the incredible heat at night time in the alberges. I don't really get blisters nowadays after years of trial and error. Unfortunately this time, one day, I tried some gel metatarsal pads for the pain I get in the balls of my feet when doing through hikes. Never again! one of these pads caused a huge blister on the ball of my foot, the other i had taken out earlier due to discomfort. After 8 days of pain with the blister, limping along with the help of ibuprofen I gave in, and used Alsa bus to efficiently get me to SCQ to fly home.
I am planning on returning in Sept but with my wife. My wife walked the Primitivo with me in 2019. She now has some back issues which limit her walking distance. Our plan is, Sept because it might be a pleasant temperature, and to walk from Porto 7 or 8 days along the coastal route. Limiting her distance to about 10 miles each day. My question is which bus companies or train companies give easy transportation from points along the coastal route back to Porto ?? Many thanks.

 

[Lindy Loo]

Hello, I have just returned home having hiked 296 miles of the Camino Frances from Saint Jean. I came home early due to a serious blister and the incredible heat at night time in the alberges. I don't really get blisters nowadays after years of trial and error. Unfortunately this time, one day, I tried some gel metatarsal pads for the pain I get in the balls of my feet when doing through hikes. Never again! one of these pads caused a huge blister on the ball of my foot, the other i had taken out earlier due to discomfort. After 8 days of pain with the blister, limping along with the help of ibuprofen I gave in, and used Alsa bus to efficiently get me to SCQ to fly home.
I am planning on returning in Sept but with my wife. My wife walked the Primitivo with me in 2019. She now has some back issues which limit her walking distance. Our plan is, Sept because it might be a pleasant temperature, and to walk from Porto 7 or 8 days along the coastal route. Limiting her distance to about 10 miles each day. My question is which bus companies or train companies give easy transportation from points along the coastal route back to Porto ?? Many thanks.

Sorry to read about your misfortune in having the foot problem. Can I please ask why you wish to return to Porto from diffefent points? Do you not intend to walk from Porto to SCQ?

 

[karyn61]

There are buses that go along frequently along the main roads from town to town. Use Rome2Rio,com and you can find out which buses serve the towns you want to travel among. You can also get a taxi pretty easily I bet, just ask in any cafe and someone can call a cab for you. Buen camino!

 

[Ian Salsbury]

Sorry to read about your misfortune in having the foot problem. Can I please ask why you wish to return to Porto from diffefent points? Do you not intend to walk from Porto to SCQ?

Hi Lindy Loo, simply because on a previous Camino we were told the Portuguese Coastal is beautiful and relatively easy to walk, and as my wife currently has spinal issues only intend to walk a max of 10 miles (16km) a day. I will return alone to continue from Leon from where I finished a few day days ago.

 

[lt56ny]

If you use google maps they will also give you local bus routes and times.

 

[woody66]

Hi Ian!
Used Rome to Rio last year on the coastal worked for me schedules were accurate plus prices!
The Coastal is more or less pretty much flat for miles and i found the boardwalks pretty easy on the feet as they have a bit of give/spring in them. (they were repairing/replacing some of them when i walked but i think they all should be finished now)
I did wonder if walking on them might soften the impact on your wife's back.
Also as far as i remember not many cobbles along the coast. (others may know better; i was wearing Stinsons so already 6 inches of the ground)
Buen Camino
Woody

 

[Ian Salsbury]

Hi Ian!
Used Rome to Rio last year on the coastal worked for me schedules were accurate plus prices!
The Coastal is more or less pretty much flat for miles and i found the boardwalks pretty easy on the feet as they have a bit of give/spring in them. (they were repairing/replacing some of them when i walked but i think they all should be finished now)
I did wonder if walking on them might soften the impact on your wife's back.
Buen Camino
Woody

Thanks Woody.