September Porto to Santiago central route

[Sjp007]

I’m starting Sept 7th from Porto to Santiago…doing the Central route but starting day one on the coast out of Porto to Perafita…any suggestions on the best city into start heading inward from the coast?
I was thinking of either:
-Perafita towards Moreira then up to Arcos
-Or walking the coast to Azurara then up to Arcos
Anyone else doing the central beginning of Sept?

 

[Lindy Loo]

This sounds interesting, sorry I'm no help as I'm doing Camino de Costa next year. Good luck. Buen camino!

 

[Oliviao]

We walked Porto to SdC in March. Headed inland at Vila do Conde, joining Central route at Arcos. (We return next week to walk Vila do Conde to Vigo - the coastal part we missed by heading inland)

 

[Lindy Loo]

How long did you take to do this Oliviao?

 

[trecile]

Anyone else doing the central beginning of Sept?

If you'd like to see who else is starting then and add your name to the list of September starters click here.
Buen Camino!

 

[JZA]

I’m starting Sept 7th from Porto to Santiago…doing the Central route but starting day one on the coast out of Porto to Perafita…any suggestions on the best city into start heading inward from the coast?
I was thinking of either:
-Perafita towards Moreira then up to Arcos
-Or walking the coast to Azurara then up to Arcos
Anyone else doing the central beginning of Sept?

Vila do Conde was where I switched. I have since done the coastal route and preferred it. Walking by the ocean is special but you are also more exposed to harsh weather.

 

[Oliviao]

How long did you take to do this Oliviao?

12 nights in total. We got the historic tram from the waterfront in Porto to Foz do Douro (as we had walked this stretch the last time we were in Porto). It gave us a good taste of the coastal/littoral plus majority on Central (which seemed more advisable in March)

 

[astrid harrison]

We are also starting in September from Porto taking the central route. Our first night will be spent in Acros. Deciding between two options that would suit us on day 1. Etheir metro to Vilar do Pinheiro and walk to Arcos from there to avoid the worst of the outer city (central route). Or we may metro to Mathosinhos by the sea and walk up to Vila do Conde along the coast then taxi to Acros from there. I have read online that the route/road from Villa do conde (coastal route) to meet the (central route) in Arcos is not pleasant and contains walking along roads with no shoulder which we are going to avoid but many people still use.

 

[Craig Warren]

I'm starting the Portuguese Camino in Porto on the 1st Sept - my 2nd Camino.

 

[Sjp007]

I'm starting the Portuguese Camino in Porto on the 1st Sept - my 2nd Camino.

Maybe I’ll see you on the route!

 

[Sjp007]

We are also starting in September from Porto taking the central route. Our first night will be spent in Acros. Deciding between two options that would suit us on day 1. Etheir metro to Vilar do Pinheiro and walk to Arcos from there to avoid the worst of the outer city (central route). Or we may metro to Mathosinhos by the sea and walk up to Vila do Conde along the coast then taxi to Acros from there. I have read online that the route/road from Villa do conde (coastal route) to meet the (central route) in Arcos is not pleasant and contains walking along roads with no shoulder which we are going to avoid but many people still use.

That’s my dilemma as well…maybe I’ll see you in the route!!

 

[kkuencer]

I’m starting Sept 7th from Porto to Santiago…doing the Central route but starting day one on the coast out of Porto to Perafita…any suggestions on the best city into start heading inward from the coast?
I was thinking of either:
-Perafita towards Moreira then up to Arcos
-Or walking the coast to Azurara then up to Arcos
Anyone else doing the central beginning of Sept?

We are starting on 9 September from Porto on the Central route. We've arranged everything through Portugal Green Walks.

 

[Sjp007]

We are starting on 9 September from Porto on the Central route. We've arranged everything through Portugal Green Walks.

Hope I see you on the route!

 

[karenlh]

12 nights in total. We got the historic tram from the waterfront in Porto to Foz do Douro (as we had walked this stretch the last time we were in Porto). It gave us a good taste of the coastal/littoral plus majority on Central (which seemed more advisable in March)

I’m looking at going in March 2023. Did you have any issues finding places to stay? Were there many other people on the route? any other concerns in March? Thanks.

 

[yogaflowjo]

We are also starting in September from Porto taking the central route. Our first night will be spent in Acros. Deciding between two options that would suit us on day 1. Etheir metro to Vilar do Pinheiro and walk to Arcos from there to avoid the worst of the outer city (central route). Or we may metro to Mathosinhos by the sea and walk up to Vila do Conde along the coast then taxi to Acros from there. I have read online that the route/road from Villa do conde (coastal route) to meet the (central route) in Arcos is not pleasant and contains walking along roads with no shoulder which we are going to avoid but many people still use.

Hey Astrid... fancy seeing you here?? Denise and I are returning next year to walk porto to Valenca and then spiritual Variante. What did you guys end up doing in relation to walking out of Porto... hope you are all well, jo xo

 

[Lindy Loo]

Vila do Conde was where I switched. I have since done the coastal route and preferred it. Walking by the ocean is special but you are also more exposed to harsh weather.

Did you do the Coast or the Litoral route? The Coastal does seem to be inland for a lot or am I wrong?

 

[Oliviao]

I walked a combo of the littoral and the coastal. You are correct, the coastal does veer inland in part, whereas the littoral is following the ocean.

 

[Lindy Loo]

I walked a combo of the littoral and the coastal. You are correct, the coastal does veer inland in part, whereas the littoral is following the ocean.

So, do you walk on the sand as the boardwalk just stopped after Aguçadoura?

 

[Oliviao]

I'm not 100% certain this is the name of the place, but the boardwalk just ends and you have to walk on the sand for quite some time. (It was very foggy on the day we did this section, which added to the confusion!)

 

[Lindy Loo]

Thank you very much for confirming this as I was hoping I hadn't made a mistake. I have just arrived in Viana do Castelo walking the coastal route which is lovely but not quite as nice as walking beside the sea

 

[Oliviao]

I remember feeling pretty confused (& quite frustrated with the Ninja app) on that stretch. But well done, you made it!

 

[Lindy Loo]

I don't have the ninja app & sadly the creator has passed on and is so no longer available. I have geard very good reports on it.

I did not venture to the ocean as I did not want to walk on sand. I might try again now from Viana do Castelo??????