Camino Coast from Porto

[tpatnode]

Hello,

We hiked the Camino Frances from Ponferrada to Santiago in April 2022. We would like to hike the Camino Coastal from Porto in 2023. Are some months better than others? How many days should be allow? I see many pilgrims switch along the way to the Camino Central, thoughts on the best locations to switch?

Thanks!

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hola @tpatnode . Like you I have not walked the Coastal Camino from Porto, but from my research I feel any month from April through to Oct (even November) are OK. On the coastal route you " should/might" be able to avoid the hottest weather of July and August. I am sure you will see responses from those who have walked during the above periods and they will provide (usually) good advice. Buen Camino.

 

[Camembert]

Hello,

We hiked the Camino Frances from Ponferrada to Santiago in April 2022. We would like to hike the Camino Coastal from Porto in 2023. Are some months better than others? How many days should be allow? I see many pilgrims switch along the way to the Camino Central, thoughts on the best locations to switch?

Thanks!

Springtime is the best. fresh green, moderate weather , not the big crowds, not the holiday celebrators .
the average time of walking is 12 to 14 days from Porto to Santiago

switching from the coastal to the central can be done in Vila do Conde or Caminha.
if you want to stay at the best albergue of the entire caminho Portugûes, casa Fernada In Vitorino de Piães ( between Barcelos and Ponte de Lime, change at Vila do Conde

if you want to avoid the highest climb of the entire caminho Portugues, 450 meters anove sea level, the Alto da Portela Grande, change at Caminha.

 

[woody66]

Posted this before on another thread but the month and weather info is in it!
Hi!
I walked from Porto to Santiago along the Coastal, Senda Litoral and Variant Espiritual from Sept 20th till 13 October 2021!
Average temp after a cool start was between 20 and 27 C with one day of heavy rain near Redondela! (temp was 22C)
The 27 degree day was on the 12th October in Santiago.
There were enough pilgrims for socialising but you could still walk alone along the way if you wished !
That is until Vigo onwards when the numbers increased as you were in the last 100km to Santiago.
Beaches were empty but still places to eat and no problem with accommodation.

I would add to any reply about the Coastal; walk out along the Douro River nice and easy.

Secondly if you get the chance do the Espiritual from just north of Pontevedra (easy to find the start) it's wonderful; visit Combarro, Armentiera (stay in the Monastery) and the Pilgrim boat from Villanova de Arousa best bit of the Camino loved it will do it again one day!
No bets on the weather might be raining who knows!!!
I hope it's as good for you when you walk
Buen Camino
Woody

 

[Camembert]

Posted this before on another thread but the month and weather info is in it!
Hi!
I walked from Porto to Santiago along the Coastal, Senda Litoral and Variant Espiritual from Sept 20th till 13 October 2021!
Average temp after a cool start was between 20 and 27 C with one day of heavy rain near Redondela! (temp was 22C)
The 27 degree day was on the 12th October in Santiago.
There were enough pilgrims for socialising but you could still walk alone along the way if you wished !
That is until Vigo onwards when the numbers increased as you were in the last 100km to Santiago.
Beaches were empty but still places to eat and no problem with accommodation.

I would add to any reply about the Coastal; walk out along the Douro River nice and easy.

Secondly if you get the chance do the Espiritual from just north of Pontevedra (easy to find the start) it's wonderful; visit Combarro, Armentiera (stay in the Monastery) and the Pilgrim boat from Villanova de Arousa best bit of the Camino loved it will do it again one day!
No bets on the weather might be raining who knows!!!
I hope it's as good for you when you walk
Buen Camino
Woody

Mind that the Variante Espiritual is NOT official recognized by the Cathedral of Santiago, read the Pilgrims Office. It is a beautiful walk through a nice area and an interesting boat ride but it is not a pilgrimage walk as to be meant .
if you should start in Pontevedra, you cannot apply for a Compostela certificate because the 121 kms you walk on the Variante Espiritual to Santiago do not count for a Compostela. You have to walk at least 100 kms on a recognized route and gather 2 stamps a day. That means that applying for a Compostela certificate you have to start on the Coastal in Vigo ( 100 kms) or on the Central route at Tui. (106 kms)
There is a lot of misunderstanding about the Variante Espiritual

 

[lettinggo]

Mind that the Variante Espiritual is NOT official recognized by the Cathedral of Santiago, read the Pilgrims Office. It is a beautiful walk through a nice area and an interesting boat ride but it is not a pilgrimage walk as to be meant .
if you should start in Pontevedra, you cannot apply for a Compostela certificate because the 121 kms you walk on the Variante Espiritual to Santiago do not count for a Compostela. You have to walk at least 100 kms on a recognized route and gather 2 stamps a day. That means that applying for a Compostela certificate you have to start on the Coastal in Vigo ( 100 kms) or on the Central route at Tui. (106 kms)
There is a lot of misunderstanding about the Variante Espiritual

I walked Porto - Variante Espiritual - Santiago some years ago and had no problem getting a Compostela.
My advice is to get at least 2 stamps a day and be ready to explain in detail how you walked at the Pilgrim Office in Santiago.

The Variante Espiritual is a very nice 3 day walk and you can see here for some more information

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/variante-espiritual-map.54371/

I hope this helps.

Buen Camino
Lettinggo

 

[Camembert]

I walked Porto - Variante Espiritual - Santiago some years ago and had no problem getting a Compostela.
My advice is to get at least 2 stamps a day and be ready to explain in detail how you walked at the Pilgrim Office in Santiago.

The Variante Espiritual is a very nice 3 day walk and you can see here for some more information

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/variante-espiritual-map.54371/

I hope this helps.

Buen Camino
Lettinggo

If you walked from Porto you passed Vigo or Tui ,both the 100 km spot to obtain the Compostela but I wrote about as some do, they start in Pontevedra - so there they collect their first stamp and think by walking the Variante Espiritual that the about 127 kms is enough for a Compostela what is not because the Variante Esperitual is not recognized by the Pilgrims Office.

i know because I wrote out the Compostellas at the Pilgrims Office as a volontier.
And we met pilgrims at the counter who only walked the Variante and were disappointed that they did not get the Compostella

if you aplply for a a certificate of distance and you walk from Tui or Vigo and the Variante you think you walked about 160 kms but on your certificate the employee at the Pilgrims Office writes down that you walked 100 kms. You complain and then is explained that the kms of the Variante do not count.

I agree that the Variante is a nice walk and the boat ride is pleasant. I did it myself.