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"Brierley" guidebook mentions spending extra night in Barcelos and taking bus to Braga for a day trip. One the more memorable days of our CP - well worth it.
I did CP in 2019 with Hoka Bondi's. Didn't have any foot issues, though I was focused on where I was stepping since incurring a broken bone in foot plus severe ankle sprain in 2017 (not walking related).
2019 (walk) - My wife and I used the "Brierley CP Guide" - Did Coastal to Vila do Conde then cut over to Central.
We stayed 2 nights in Porto upon arrival to recover from plane trip. Take two days to get to Vila Do Conde (we did one cause of bad weather.) We stayed 2 nights in Barcelos to do...
https://www.tt3ways.pt/
Near bridge on Porto side.
We cycled back over bridge to Vila Nova de Gaia side and went south along the Coast. Turned around at an old Seaside Chapel.
One of the best days of our trip.
Came back a couple years later to do the Camino.
Vodofone across the River from Porto (Av. da República nº 268, 4430-188 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal) - short walk. Very helpful - we have used them twice. Works in Portugal & Spain. Inexpensive too.
We stayed at Hotel Bagoeria which was about 70m away from bus stop. Hotel had a roof top breakfast area with great view of river. We stayed the second night (Bagoeria was booked) at Alberguer Terco - across a quad park area from first Hotel. Another nice accommodation. Don't recall bus #. Braga...
I suggest doing the Coastal out of Porto and switch over to Central from Vila Do Conde. John Brierley Guidebook is a very good resource. We did a rest day in Barcelos & took bus to Braga - well worth it!!
I did the CP from Porto in 2019 plus Finsterra & wore Bondi's. Worked well for me. Continual cobblestone walking did lead to some foot/leg weariness, but a full-blown hiking boot would have been overkill (and heavy).
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