Bouncing between Central and Coastal

[telephony]

Greetings,

My wife and I completed the Francais in July, 2023, and will begin the Portuguese from Porto on April 20th. We are torn between doing the coastal all the way with the spiritual variant, or bouncing back and forth between the central and coastal. Looking for feedback along with what are the must-see locations along the central route. Note: We want the community, but understand that this route regardless of which path might not be as fulfilling as the Francais.

Thank you,

Tele

 

[ElCee]

I “bounced” between the SL/Coastal and the Central and I had a wonderful Camino. Porto - Vila do Conde - Rates - Ponte de Lima - Viana da Castelo - Spiritual Variant- SdC. However, with hind sight I’ve become a purist. The two routes are very different and have a different story to tell. You wouldn’t skip parts of a book, and swap in parts of another book. It was an adjustment each time we switched and made for a disjointed walk. If you want lots of sights and company I would go central. If it’s stinking hot and/or you want a meditative walk I’d go SL/Coastal.

 

[Maurice Frank]

Thanks for a point worth considering

 

[Pathfinder89]

Last May, my wife and I started on the Coastal from Porto and enjoyed it for a couple days and then switched to the Central. We found the constant wind from the ocean and sand to be a little much. Also, the lack of infrastructure for pilgrims along the route was a detriment to us. To find a restroom (WC) or a cafe one had to leave the path and go into a nearby town. Yet, the view along the coastal was amazing and soothing. It was quiet and solitary. Both routes have their good sides.

 

[happymarkos]

Greetings,

My wife and I completed the Francais in July, 2023, and will begin the Portuguese from Porto on April 20th. We are torn between doing the coastal all the way with the spiritual variant, or bouncing back and forth between the central and coastal. Looking for feedback along with what are the must-see locations along the central route. Note: We want the community, but understand that this route regardless of which path might not be as fulfilling as the Francais.

Thank you,

Tele

Consider also the Atlantico which is really along the seaside. Closer to the sea than the coastal while in Portugal. Some boardwalks etc and off the beaten track.

 

[Kev&Kath]

Will be walking the Litoral,with Variante Espiritual, in September. I agree earlier comments that (I suspect) the two routes are very different...likely worthy of two separate Caminos.

 

[Walkalong]

I've walked both and also did the central from SdC to Porto.

Continuity on a single route is important, but the coastal to Vila do Conde or Esposende before moving to the central, at Rates or Barcelos, replaces sub-urban commercial roadside walking with a great warm up along coastal scenery.

Bom Caminho

 

[Elle Bieling]

I suppose I am a purist because I would never switch between the two. I have done the Litoral, Coastal and the Central several times without crossing over once. All three choices (Litoral not always continuous but shares the Coastal at times) are unique and worthy of walking it in its entirety. If you don't like wind and sand, don't do the Litoral or Coastal. If you prefer a more solid historical perspective and more pilgrim-like atmosphere, don't do the Coastal. If you like the sun and the beach, the coastal routes are for you! All the routes carry history of some sort (or many sorts), as this is the Iberian peninsula!

I have always said, take the time to do them both - they are both unique and wonderful each unto itself. If you complete one, you will always find the time to go back and do the other!

 

[Roland49]

I walked last year in July 1 week prior to the catholic youth assembling in Lissabon.
From Porto to Caminha I walked the coastal and than switched to the central (via Valenca and Tui).
In Caminha I had to wait to the evening to get a ride on a boat and I called up several places across the border just to find out, that they all were fully booked. Same at the V.E. after Pontevedra.

At least I had an amazing Camino, having walked the first 4 days on the seaside and than changed to the central route.

You may consider.
HTH

 

[Bexster]

Greetings,

My wife and I completed the Francais in July, 2023, and will begin the Portuguese from Porto on April 20th. We are torn between doing the coastal all the way with the spiritual variant, or bouncing back and forth between the central and coastal. Looking for feedback along with what are the must-see locations along the central route. Note: We want the community, but understand that this route regardless of which path might not be as fulfilling as the Francais.

Thank you,

Tele

Whatever you do, I highly recommend doing the Variante Espiritual whatever you decide about the first part.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Apart from a few short local sections, the Coastal is a completely modern invention -- but this means that there are multiple routes between the coast and the Central, which the locals used (and use) to travel between their fishing villages and town.

So that, with some exceptions, zig-zag between the Coastal and Central is not too hard.

 

[Anthony Rocco]

Greetings,

My wife and I completed the Francais in July, 2023, and will begin the Portuguese from Porto on April 20th. We are torn between doing the coastal all the way with the spiritual variant, or bouncing back and forth between the central and coastal. Looking for feedback along with what are the must-see locations along the central route. Note: We want the community, but understand that this route regardless of which path might not be as fulfilling as the Francais.

Thank you,

Tele

We bounced and loved it. To be honest, the coastal was enjoyable every time we were on it. Not to be missed towns on the central include Ponte de Lima, Valenca/Tui and Pontevedra. Others liked Barcelos...we not so much. We recommend staying in Valenca, crossing the bridge for an hour or two in Tui. The next day, walk along the Minho to A Guarda. It was the only day when we did not encounter many pilgrims. In fact, it was just us, a delightful change from what has become a busy camino.

 

[mgnswaus]

I worked out an itinerary so that I could walk it all. If you're interested, please pm me.

 

[Anthony Rocco]

I see you have walked the Portuguese twice and many other camino paths. In our experience, the first two days out of Porto on the central route were among the most miserable days on any camino. Sidewalk and highway walking were jot conducive to a positive camino spirit. I would best describe those two dayś in one word: Ugh. Just sayin...

 

[telephony]

Happy Friday Everyone!!!

Thank you to everyone for all the great replies.

We have decided to take the Senda Litoral up to Vila do Conde, bounce over to Rates, up to Portevedra, over the Variante Espiritual (long pause at Bodegas Granbazán) and into SdC.

Any recommendations on stages? We want to keep the stages mostly below 25km and have between April 21st and May 2nd/3rd'ish to be in SdC.

Have a great weekend fellow peregrinos

Tele

 

[David Tallan]

Happy Friday Everyone!!!

Thank you to everyone for all the great replies.

We have decided to take the Senda Litoral up to Vila do Conde, bounce over to Rates, up to Portevedra, over the Variante Espiritual (long pause at Bodegas Granbazán) and into SdC.

Any recommendations on stages? We want to keep the stages mostly below 25km and have between April 21st and May 2nd/3rd'ish to be in SdC.

Have a great weekend fellow peregrinos

Tele

For what it is worth, my stages up to Pontevedra were:
Porto to Vila Chã
Vila Chã to Rates
Rates to Barcelos
Barcelos to Casa da Fernanda
Casa da Fernanda to Ponte de Lima
Ponte de Lima to Rubiães
Rubiães to Tui
Tui to O Porriño
O Porriño to Redondela
Redondela to Pontevedra

 

[JWB]

Also consider bounce from Valenca to A Guerda along the river Minho. After A Guerda follow the camino along the coast.

 

[Liddy]

I worked out an itinerary so that I could walk it all. If you're interested, please pm me.

We are planning much the same - my daughter and adult granddaughter. I would love to know your itinary. Thanks very much!

 

[mgnswaus]

We are planning much the same - my daughter and adult granddaughter. I would love to know your itinary. Thanks very much!

Hi Liddy,

I've posted a reply to PawelB on this thread. Happy to pm it to you if you can't find it.

 

[mgnswaus]

I see you have walked the Portuguese twice and many other camino paths. In our experience, the first two days out of Porto on the central route were among the most miserable days on any camino. Sidewalk and highway walking were jot conducive to a positive camino spirit. I would best describe those two dayś in one word: Ugh. Just sayin...

I've walked it four times.... my favourite. After many Caminos, I don't walk long drags into and out of cities, except SdC. I metro to Matasinhos on the coast or Vilar de Pinheiro on the central.