Route from Matasinhos to Casa Mindela

Monica007 · Jul 31, 2023

Hi there I am planning to do the Potuguese Coastal Camino in September. I will start walking in Matasinhos and would like to spend the first night at Casa Mindela. Is it possible to walk along the coast and then cut inland? Or is it necessary to take the central route?I would like to walk on the coastal boardwalk if possible? Any suggestions on what would be the most pictureseque route? Any assistance with my first day will be appreciated!

kenwilltravel · Jul 31, 2023

Monica007 said:
Hi there I am planning to do the Potuguese Coastal Camino in September. I will start walking in Matasinhos and would like to spend the first night at Casa Mindela. Is it possible to walk along the coast and then cut inland? Or is it necessary to take the central route?I would like to walk on the coastal boardwalk if possible? Any suggestions on what would be the most pictureseque route? Any assistance with my first day will be appreciated!

Last year, my wife and I took the Porto metro to Vilar do Pinheiro and then walked to Casa Mindela. Lots of road traffic so we didn't enjoy this route. The hostess at Casa Mindela told me at the time that there was a place from which you could cut in from the coast but I didn't write it down. Give her a call; she speaks fluent English and was very nice.

trecile · Jul 31, 2023

Is Casa Mindela in Vila do Conde?
Yes, it's possible to walk along the coast on the Senda Litoral then cut over to the Central route at Vila do Conde. That's exactly what I did.

kenwilltravel · Jul 31, 2023

trecile said:
Is Casa Mindela in Vila do Conde?
Yes, it's possible to walk along the coast on the Senda Litoral then cut over to the Central route at Vila do Conde. That's exactly what I did.

Casa Mindela is located on the Central just north of Porto.

Monica007 · Jul 31, 2023

kenwilltravel said:
Casa Mindela is located on the Central just north of Porto.

Casa Mindela is on the central route below Vila do Conde, if I’m reading the map correctly.

Monica007 · Jul 31, 2023

kenwilltravel said:
Last year, my wife and I took the Porto metro to Vilar do Pinheiro and then walked to Casa Mindela. Lots of road traffic so we didn't enjoy this route. The hostess at Casa Mindela told me at the time that there was a place from which you could cut in from the coast but I didn't write it down. Give her a call; she speaks fluent English and was very nice.

Thanks for this advice. Confirms that I must do the coastal route and cut across. Will contact Casa Mindela.

kenwilltravel · Jul 31, 2023

Monica007 said:
Casa Mindela is on the central route below Vila do Conde, if I’m reading the map correctly.

Yes, it seems to actually be within the municipal boundaries of Vila do Conde. So Helena, the hostess at Casa Mindela, may have been thinking of the cut-across path mentioned by Trecile. The lodging itself is a converted 19th century farmhouse surrounded by fields and trees. Lots of rustic ambience but very comfortable.