Coastal Portuguese route

[gypsygirl]

Hi everyone, A friend and I plan to walk the coastal Portuguese route from Porto to Santiago in the spring or fall 2017. Does anyone know where I can find a map of the walk with accommodation and possibly places to eat. My friend has a bad knee but a lot of time and does'nt want to walk more than 5 miles (approx 9 kms) in a day. Most information I've read suggests walking 15 kms or more each day. Does anyone have any suggestions about accommodation that can be found along the way. Seems like most accommodation is found after walking 15 kms or more. Any advice I would appreciate. Thanks Gypsy

 

[KariC]

That might be tough. There are a couple of good books - Brierly's Camino Portugues is good but not perfect, and I've heard good things about Sergio Fonesca's The Portuguese way to Santiago, but it's unavailable on Amazon . . .
I think there are many places where there's far more than five miles between places to stay. You might consider taking taxis - say if you want to break a stage into two, hike half of it, catch a taxi to the next hostel, and the next day taxi back to where you stopped.

 

[gypsygirl]

Hi everyone, A friend and I plan to walk the coastal Portuguese route from Porto to Santiago in the spring or fall 2017. Does anyone know where I can find a map of the walk with accommodation and possibly places to eat. My friend has a bad knee but a lot of time and does'nt want to walk more than 5 miles (approx 9 kms) in a day. Most information I've read suggests walking 15 kms or more each day. Does anyone have any suggestions about accommodation that can be found along the way. Seems like most accommodation is found after walking 15 kms or more. Any advice I would appreciate. Thanks Gypsy

Hi everyone, A friend and I plan to walk the coastal Portuguese route from Porto to Santiago in the spring or fall 2017. Does anyone know where I can find a map of the walk with accommodation and possibly places to eat. My friend has a bad knee but a lot of time and does'nt want to walk more than 5 miles (approx 9 kms) in a day. Most information I've read suggests walking 15 kms or more each day. Does anyone have any suggestions about accommodation that can be found along the way. Seems like most accommodation is found after walking 15 kms or more. Any advice I would appreciate. Thanks Gypsy

That might be tough. There are a couple of good books - Brierly's Camino Portugues is good but not perfect, and I've heard good things about Sergio Fonesca's The Portuguese way to Santiago, but it's unavailable on Amazon . . .
I think there are many places where there's far more than five miles between places to stay. You might consider taking taxis - say if you want to break a stage into two, hike half of it, catch a taxi to the next hostel, and the next day taxi back to where you stopped.

Thanks for the info, taxis might appeal to my friend. Is camping an option along the trail? It seems like most people stay in hostels

 

[KariC]

Thanks for the info, taxis might appeal to my friend. Is camping an option along the trail? It seems like most people stay in hostels

I only remember seeing one camping place along the coastal route, and none along the central and variante espiritual. Could be I missed them, but you're mostly going past private property. Carrying camping and cooking equipment could be really hard on bad knees.

 

[musicman]

I have a 4 yr old spreadsheet , you can have if you wish.

Just e-mail me at jgtwort@yahoo.co.uk

 

[gypsygirl]

gr

I only remember seeing one camping place along the coastal route, and none along the central and variante espiritual. Could be I missed them, but you're mostly going past private property. Carrying camping and cooking equipment could be really hard on bad knees.

I agree, it would be hard on my friend. He has suggested that we start in Matosinhos and he will end his trip in Viana De Castello, I will continue on. Any suggestions about that leg of the journey would be appreciated. My friend really wants to walk that part of the Camino. He seems to be pulled to it for some reason. If he isn't able to go further at least he can say he walked that section. Does anyone have a list of hostels or private accommodation on that leg of the walk? I just purchased John Brierleys Camino Portuguese which I am reading now.

 

[gerardcarey]

Check the 'Resources' section of the forum. Some info there.
Regards, good travelling, and Bom Caminho,
Gerard

 

[Rainerbernd]

That might be tough. There are a couple of good books - Brierly's Camino Portugues is good but not perfect, and I've heard good things about Sergio Fonesca's The Portuguese way to Santiago, but it's unavailable on Amazon . . .
I think there are many places where there's far more than five miles between places to stay. You might consider taking taxis - say if you want to break a stage into two, hike half of it, catch a taxi to the next hostel, and the next day taxi back to where you stopped.

Olá,

Sergio Fonseca´s book :
http://www.fromportugal.com/en/book...ortuguese-way-santiago-compostela-my-way.html

 

[Rainerbernd]

gr

I agree, it would be hard on my friend. He has suggested that we start in Matosinhos and he will end his trip in Viana De Castello, I will continue on. Any suggestions about that leg of the journey would be appreciated. My friend really wants to walk that part of the Camino. He seems to be pulled to it for some reason. If he isn't able to go further at least he can say he walked that section. Does anyone have a list of hostels or private accommodation on that leg of the walk? I just purchased John Brierleys Camino Portuguese which I am reading now.

Olá, there are some accommodations between Matosinhos and Viana do Castelo:

Matosinhos > Angeiras 12 km ; Orbitur camping ; bungalows ; pilgrim´s fare
Angeiras > Vila do Conde 10 km ; new albergue municipal or pensions
Vila do Conde > Povoa de Varzim 4 km ; Hostal Sardines & Friends and church albergue
Povoa de Varzim > Rio Alto 10 km ; Orbitur camping; bungalows; pilgrim´s fare
Rio Alto > Fão 6,5 km ; Youth Hostel; pilgrim´s fare
Fão > Esposende > Marinhas 7 km; Albergue in Marinhas,
Marinhas > Chafé 13 km; Hotel Casa da Reina
Chafé > Viana do Castelo 9 km ; albergue

For Orbitur campsites: don´t book over their webside, you will get the special price (with your credential) only at the campsite. In spring / fall no reservation needed.

Bom caminho, Rainer

 

[alipilgrim]

Thanks Rainer! That's very helpful...

 

[Mark Francis Auchincloss]

All the info you need can be found on Luis Freixo's Blog consult http://www.caminador.es/

 

[Mudcrone]

Hi everyone, A friend and I plan to walk the coastal Portuguese route from Porto to Santiago in the spring or fall 2017. Does anyone know where I can find a map of the walk with accommodation and possibly places to eat. My friend has a bad knee but a lot of time and does'nt want to walk more than 5 miles (approx 9 kms) in a day. Most information I've read suggests walking 15 kms or more each day. Does anyone have any suggestions about accommodation that can be found along the way. Seems like most accommodation is found after walking 15 kms or more. Any advice I would appreciate. Thanks Gypsy

The CSJ (Confraternity of Saint James) now has a guide prepared by Johnnie Walker

 

[Rina22]

Olá,

Sergio Fonseca´s book :
http://www.fromportugal.com/en/book...ortuguese-way-santiago-compostela-my-way.html

Rainer is this guide by sergio worth purchasing? I have brierly's guide but wondered at another resource to help. I am doing the Senda de Litoral and want to stay on that path until it joins up later. Doing lots of research at present.

 

[Rina22]

Olá,

Sergio Fonseca´s book :
http://www.fromportugal.com/en/book...ortuguese-way-santiago-compostela-my-way.html

 

[TanaLee]

Hi Gypsygirl,
My 23 year old son and I walked the same route last September - I understand the 'pull' your friend is feeling. *sigh*

We stayed in two hostel, one guesthouse, one alburgue (Santiago) and small hotels. By splitting the cost of the rooms (reserving the day of on Booking.com), we never spent more than $20.00 each, per night.

We usually averaged about 5 - 7 miles a day - so, it is doable. I had an issue with my hip and my son has cerebral palsy that affects his left leg and arm.

There were days we both 'hit the wall' and took a cab or train to the next town. We gained a day (or three - Porto, Vigo and Pontavedra ) to rest and explore. Some 'purists' would take issue with that but, to each his own...it is a personal experience.

If you email me, I will be happy to give you our list of places and restaurants. Tanasemail@aol.com

You will love this route - stunning ocean views and paths through fragrant eucalyptus and fern-filled woods.

I am joyfully envious of you and your friend!

Tana

 

[Rainerbernd]

Rainer is this guide by sergio worth purchasing? I have brierly's guide but wondered at another resource to help. I am doing the Senda de Litoral and want to stay on that path until it joins up later. Doing lots of research at present.

I´m sorry Rina, I can´t answer your question, because I have the portuguese copy. But doing the Sendo Literal first, no guide book is needed till Vila do Conde. Leaving Porto at the Douro river and then along the coast or starting in Matosinhos, the water (river or ocean) is always on your left, you can´t get wrong. Later, all ways , Costa or Central are well marked.