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I recommend the Caminho Portuguese from Porto, via the coast to Vila do Conde, then to Sao Pedro Rates and the main route.
Did it in 15 days last Fall and it was so wonderful I would do it again.
Great municipal albergues along the way plus Casa da Fernanda - a highlight of the pilgrimage...
Recent experience in Oct '14 revealed a few "problems" with the boardwalk between Matosinhos and Vila do Conde. There was a long stretch of boardwalk structure
but no "boards" forcing me to walk along side until the complete structure resumed. Hopefully this is a work in progress soon to be...
An additional modification to consider; apply reflective strips along the lower hem and vertically along the front, sides, and back to provide additional visibility in dark rainy and dangerous conditions. Simple iron-on strips are easy to apply and weigh practically nothing.
I enjoyed the Porto - Santiago Camino last October. The stage from Vila do Conde to Sao Pedro Rates was not marked and the Brierly notes were sketchy at best.
Somehow, I cannot recall exactly how I made it along that stage but for the help of many locals who were helpful enough to get me to the...
Was that me? Caminho Portuguese; Porto to Santiago, 10 Oct to (Seminario Menor) Oct 25 - 29.
I was using a dual color LED flashlight with low intensity RED and high intensity WHITE.
Great for navigating to the toilet several times in the night without bumping into others or stumbling down...
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