Will I regret skipping Porto to Vila do Conde?

[nickymd1]

Hi all,
I've spontaneously decided I need to do a Camino this year and since time is short (and I'm not Primitivo fit) the Portugues looks like the ideal option. I'm only interested in the Coastal (at least until Baiona, at which point I'm told it gets urban).
I have 12.3 days and would like to make it to Muxia this time (both my Spanish Caminos ended in Fisterra). My favourite parts of the Norte were the Coastal bits and so I'm asking myself if I will regret taking the Metro out to Vila do Conde to reduce the pressure or whether I should instead do the Coastal walk around Porto and find another spot to perhaps skip 10-20km by bus later in the walk...? I'm quite happy to do 25-30km days if needed but will be starting my Camino at around 4pm after a remote working day, and as we all know, stages aren't always neatly divided into the km range we'd like on a particular day 9 days from Porto to SdC is doable but not the most relaxing of holidays

Edit: To be clear, I have previously done the walk to the airport from the Cathedral and can do Porto-Matsinhos after work one day *after* the Camino, for example.

 

[kenwilltravel]

Hi all,
I've spontaneously decided I need to do a Camino this year and since time is short (and I'm not Primitivo fit) the Portugues looks like the ideal option. I'm only interested in the Coastal (at least until Baiona, at which point I'm told it gets urban).
I have 12.3 days and would like to make it to Muxia this time (both my Spanish Caminos ended in Fisterra). My favourite parts of the Norte were the Coastal bits and so I'm asking myself if I will regret taking the Metro out to Vila do Conde to reduce the pressure or whether I should instead do the Coastal walk around Porto and find another spot to perhaps skip 10-20km by bus later in the walk...? I'm quite happy to do 25-30km days if needed but will be starting my Camino at around 4pm after a remote working day, and as we all know, stages aren't always neatly divided into the km range we'd like on a particular day 9 days from Porto to SdC is doable but not the most relaxing of holidays

Given the time pressures you're under, starting at Vila do Conde makes sense. Yes, Porto to Vila do Conde has nice spots, but I think the most scenic stretch of the Coastal is roughly between Vila do Conde and Baiona, so you'll be hitting most of the high points.

 

[roving_rufus]

Yes there are a few nice spots walking out of Porto along the river and then the coast, but not sure you are going to miss anything significant. You will see beaches, dunes, promenades, fishing boats etc from Vila do Conde just as from Porto. The only thing I remember on the river walk was a section of pathway hanging out over the river that was in anyway "interesting".
Take the pressure off and start in Vila do Conde

 

[trecile]

I think the only thing that I would regret would be not doing a continuous walk. Decide where you need to start to finish in Muxía without skipping ahead and just walk.

 

[Kiwi-family]

Whether you will have regrets depends on what your expectations/goals/hopes/wishes are.

 

[John Sikora]

I found the stretch from Porto to Via do Conde nice but not particularly memorable. It's a nice walk along the beach and there are a lot of little places to stop for a cafe but it's not much different from any other beach walk anywhere in the world. I'd walk it again in a heartbeat, but if pressed for time would not have any regrets about missing it.

 

[RJ in CA]

I walked in May this year from Porto to Santiago and I agree with others here, skipping the first few days you wont miss a lot. I love the ocean so I did enjoy it, but it was like walking through any coastal town. The majority of the Boardwalk ends in Esposende and if I'm honest; I did not like walking long distance on boardwalk at all.

Knowing what I know now, I would have started my Camino in either Esposende or Vianna Do Castilo. There is a beautiful forest between Esposende and Vianna Do Castilo but there is a lot of road walking as well.

My favorite day walking in Portugal (even though there was a heavy storm for the first 8 km of my hike) was Villa Do Conde to Vila Paraia de Ancora.

That streach of the coast is very beautiful, but not well marked in sections. I was lost between the coastal and senda in the section where it splits, but I ended up walking in a beautiful national forest so I was not disappointed.

No matter what you decide I think you will enjoy the walk.

Bom Camino!

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[Walkalong]

From Labruge to Praia de Vila Chã, the archeology at S. Paio, people fishing from the beach, then the colourful fishing sheds and boats pulled up on the shore were very scenic.

If arriving by air, starting at the airport to walk to Labruge (not going into/through Porto) could save walking through or out of Porto.

While I agree with Trecile, some people bus from either Baiona or Ramallosa to Redondela.