walking from Porto to Santiago

[loumura]

Would love to hear from someone who has done the coastal part of the Camino from Porta to Santiago in the month of March! Certain info I haven't found as to the general weather...is it very rainy and/or windy? My husband and I are traveling for 4 months and this will only be part of our trip, so we need to know how to dispose of our carry on suitcase or at least figure out how to select where best to store them along the route! We both have back issues and must only wear large "fanny packs" that don't hold much so it would be great if we could catch up once in a while with our suitcases! Are there any seniors who have figured this out already? Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[megbs]

Hello!
I can’t comment on the weather in March, but there are definitely luggage carrying services. I met a lady who had her luggage transported, but a private company organised her trip so she did not do this herself. However I did notice the albergue in Viana do Castelo they advertised a luggage carrying service so I’m sure you can book independently. Bom Camino!

 

[Ctshagr]

Would love to hear from someone who has done the coastal part of the Camino from Porta to Santiago in the month of March! Certain info I haven't found as to the general weather...is it very rainy and/or windy? My husband and I are traveling for 4 months and this will only be part of our trip, so we need to know how to dispose of our carry on suitcase or at least figure out how to select where best to store them along the route! We both have back issues and must only wear large "fanny packs" that don't hold much so it would be great if we could catch up once in a while with our suitcases! Are there any seniors who have figured this out already? Thanks for the suggestions!

Maybe this will help, I did the Portuguese way last March starting the 7th. Let me tell you it rained everyday sometimes very hard. But even though I had such a great time I’m thinking of doing it again. I left Porto headed to Vila do Conde then inland to Barcelo’s to Tui and eventually Santiago 11 full days. I carried a pack about 18lbs. With rain gear and warm clothes to change into after the day hiking. The albergue’s were great no complaints at all. I’m 71 yo so I took my time doing about 12-13 miles per day. If you do this don’t miss the Monestary in Padron.

 

[loumura]

Maybe this will help, I did the Portuguese way last March starting the 7th. Let me tell you it rained everyday sometimes very hard. But even though I had such a great time I’m thinking of doing it again. I left Porto headed to Vila do Conde then inland to Barcelo’s to Tui and eventually Santiago 11 full days. I carried a pack about 18lbs. With rain gear and warm clothes to change into after the day hiking. The albergue’s were great no complaints at all. I’m 71 yo so I took my time doing about 12-13 miles per day. If you do this don’t miss the Monestary in Padron.

Thank you! This was very helpful. My husband and I are 66 and 69 respectively and haven't walked before. Coming from the Pacific NW, we are used to rain but we still don't like hiking in it. However, due to our complicated itinerary elsewhere, we have only two choices. Do it in March or skip it so I guess we will take our chances. Did you use a poncho? Or rain jacket? Will be need rain pants that are waterproof? Kind of sounds like we will! How cold was it walking? Any info would be gratefully appreciated and cudos to you both!

 

[Ctshagr]

Thank you! This was very helpful. My husband and I are 66 and 69 respectively and haven't walked before. Coming from the Pacific NW, we are used to rain but we still don't like hiking in it. However, due to our complicated itinerary elsewhere, we have only two choices. Do it in March or skip it so I guess we will take our chances. Did you use a poncho? Or rain jacket? Will be need rain pants that are waterproof? Kind of sounds like we will! How cold was it walking? Any info would be gratefully appreciated and cudos to you both!

In response I used a rain jacket many pilgrims use a poncho. A drawback to using a jacket is it doesn’t cover your pack so you’ll need a pack cover. The temps were on the cool side sometimes a little sleet mixed in with the rain. I did bring a pair of rain pants nothing special used twice. The pants I brought dried fast so maybe I could have got away with them. Nights are cool bring something warm and keep it dry I used plastic bags. While walking I was always warm sometimes actually hot. Bring a pair of at least light gloves maybe water resistant I used a fleece glove. Or put my hands up my sleeves. LOL have a good one maybe I’ll see you there.

 

[dfox]

I will be using www.tuitrans.com for "transporting" my backpack for 11 "stops" for 75.5 euros. The first two stops are on the Coastal route and the rest are on the Central route.

 

[J F Gregory]

Remember March is early spring, but also late winter. I also live in the PNW and the weather is very similar to Europe. Question for you. How do you hike in the PNC and not hike in rain. We hike all year in rain snow and every kind of weather. For us we take the summer off from hiking because I don't do heat well. We walked the Francis in Winter. I used rain jackets and rain pants when necessary. We are walking the Portugal next March also.

 

[Ed Aster]

I walked the costal route in late May, fantastic!!! I used Tui trans to handle my backpack and they were great. 13 pick up and deliveries and not one hiccup.I did not go inland until the 10th day as required and really enjoyed the different villages/ports along the way. A little rain so used a poncho that came in very handy. I am 70 and found the Coastal route just the right degree of challenge. Great Pilgrims to meet along the way and good alone time to reflect and enjoy.
Buon Caminho

 

[Letsgocamino]

Would love to hear from someone who has done the coastal part of the Camino from Porta to Santiago in the month of March! Certain info I haven't found as to the general weather...is it very rainy and/or windy? My husband and I are traveling for 4 months and this will only be part of our trip, so we need to know how to dispose of our carry on suitcase or at least figure out how to select where best to store them along the route! We both have back issues and must only wear large "fanny packs" that don't hold much so it would be great if we could catch up once in a while with our suitcases! Are there any seniors who have figured this out already? Thanks for the suggestions!

My sis used Tuitrans when we hiked CP in june. Very reliable.

 

[loumura]

Remember March is early spring, but also late winter. I also live in the PNW and the weather is very similar to Europe. Question for you. How do you hike in the PNC and not hike in rain. We hike all year in rain snow and every kind of weather. For us we take the summer off from hiking because I don't do heat well. We walked the Francis in Winter. I used rain jackets and rain pants when necessary. We are walking the Portugal next March also.

Thanks for the info! Maybe we will run into you, who knows? No, we do hike some in the mountains in the PNW but if a lot of rain or snow is expected, we stay home...ha! We prefer fair weather and there is a lot of weather that is fine and not too hot to hike in during the summer and fall.

 

[auburnfive]

Caminofacil also offers a baggage transfer service, and were excellent

 

[Pipmahoe]

Maybe this will help, I did the Portuguese way last March starting the 7th. Let me tell you it rained everyday sometimes very hard. But even though I had such a great time I’m thinking of doing it again. I left Porto headed to Vila do Conde then inland to Barcelo’s to Tui and eventually Santiago 11 full days. I carried a pack about 18lbs. With rain gear and warm clothes to change into after the day hiking. The albergue’s were great no complaints at all. I’m 71 yo so I took my time doing about 12-13 miles per day. If you do this don’t miss the Monestary in Padron.

Hello I am planning on doing the Portuguese Coastal Camino in April 2019, we only have 10 days so I thought we would only manage to walk from Porto to Vigo. In June I walked, with my 18 yo son, the Frances from SJPdP to Santiago I think we did it in 30 or 31 stages. However, this time I’m walking with my husband who has suffered with a ruptured Achilles’ tendon (he’s been doing physio for the past year), the only way he would agree to go is if we walked a maximum of 10 miles a day. We are both in our 50’s and I am thinking that if you did the whole walk in 11 days at 12 to 13 miles a day and you are 71 we should be able to do the whole walk in 10 days and get to Santiago! Are you sure you did it in 11 stages from Porto to Santiago? I thought it was 162 miles from Porto to Santiago?

 

[Don Kim]

Hello!
I can’t comment on the weather in March, but there are definitely luggage carrying services. I met a lady who had her luggage transported, but a private company organised her trip so she did not do this herself. However I did notice the albergue in Viana do Castelo they advertised a luggage carrying service so I’m sure you can book independently. Bom Camino!

Thanks your valuable information. I do plan to take the Camino Portuguese sometime in March next year from Porto to Santiago and beyond to Finistere altogether. My question is the backpack carrying service available in every stagings? Or a certain section? When I took the Camino Frances last year I found out those services were very helpful since I was a senior.

 

[Ctshagr]

Hello I am planning on doing the Portuguese Coastal Camino in April 2019, we only have 10 days so I thought we would only manage to walk from Porto to Vigo. In June I walked, with my 18 yo son, the Frances from SJPdP to Santiago I think we did it in 30 or 31 stages. However, this time I’m walking with my husband who has suffered with a ruptured Achilles’ tendon (he’s been doing physio for the past year), the only way he would agree to go is if we walked a maximum of 10 miles a day. We are both in our 50’s and I am thinking that if you did the whole walk in 11 days at 12 to 13 miles a day and you are 71 we should be able to do the whole walk in 10 days and get to Santiago! Are you sure you did it in 11 stages from Porto to Santiago? I thought it was 162 miles from Porto to Santiago? [/QUOTES

 

[Ctshagr]

The central route is about 148 +- miles long the coastal is around 160 +-. We did the central and shaved off a few miles by taking the 500 bus out of Porto to Mahsinhos to avoid morning traffic. The last day was longer to get from Padron to Santiago. If you don’t want to do more than 12 miles stop outside in O Milladoiro and the next day it’s a five miles walk to the Cathedral.

 

[Pipmahoe]

The central route is about 148 +- miles long the coastal is around 160 +-. We did the central and shaved off a few miles by taking the 500 bus out of Porto to Mahsinhos to avoid morning traffic. The last day was longer to get from Padron to Santiago. If you don’t want to do more than 12 miles stop outside in O Milladoiro and the next day it’s a five miles walk to the Cathedral.

Thank you for that, I’m in two minds on whether to just meander up the coastal route from Porto and just go to Vigo, or start further up the coast and go to Santiago, I just can’t make up my mind! I think it would be a lovely experince for my children to actually arrive in Santiago and soak up the atmosphere

 

[Ctshagr]

Thank you for that, I’m in two minds on whether to just meander up the coastal route from Porto and just go to Vigo, or start further up the coast and go to Santiago, I just can’t make up my mind! I think it would be a lovely experince for my children to actually arrive in Santiago and soak up the atmosphere

Just a thought how about starting from Porto go to Vila do Condo (all along the coast) from there take bus from Povoa de Varzim up a few stops to Ponte de Lima to shorten the route. Then walk central to Tui and continue to Santiago. I know it’s not the coast but I think it’s a good route and Ponte de Lima, Valenca (fort), Tui, have history and the monestary at Hebron/Padrón very historic. If you have time research it. You should be able to do that easily in 10 days.

 

[skydiva]

Thank you! This was very helpful. My husband and I are 66 and 69 respectively and haven't walked before. Coming from the Pacific NW, we are used to rain but we still don't like hiking in it. However, due to our complicated itinerary elsewhere, we have only two choices. Do it in March or skip it so I guess we will take our chances. Did you use a poncho? Or rain jacket? Will be need rain pants that are waterproof? Kind of sounds like we will! How cold was it walking? Any info would be gratefully appreciated and cudos to you both!

Hi! I'm wondering if you walked the Camino in March and how was your experience?!!!

 

[Ctshagr]

Hi! I'm wondering if you walked the Camino in March and how was your experience?!!!

If you get a chance read my reply above written July 22, 2018. This was after about my Camino starting on March 7th 2018.

 

[C clearly]

Since the thread asked mainly about luggage services in 2018, it is now out of date. For general discussion of walking this route, please go to other threads or start a new one with questions.