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If you’re used to using them; as I am, I’d say yes. They are available in Porto.Hello,
I’m due to begin the Camino from Porto, taking the Central route. Unfortunately I had my trekking poles confiscated at the airport.
Does anyone know if trekking poles are essential for the Central route? I def needed them for Camino Frances from SJPP to Santiago!
Hope someone can help!
It depends on the person, not the route. I'd say that if you found them essential for the Camino Frances, you'll find them essential for any camino. Luckily, you can buy them quite easily e.g. Decathlon in Oporto.Does anyone know if trekking poles are essential for the Central route? I def needed them for Camino Frances from SJPP to Santiago!
I second this statement. If you use them all the time when hiking other routes.- pick up a pair on Porto. If you used them only part of the time, you might be fine without. I can go either way myself. I like them for climbs and descents but carry them more often than I use them. I can easily skip when I don’t want the hassle.It depends on the person, not the route. I'd say that if you found them essential for the Camino Frances, you'll find them essential for any camino. Luckily, you can buy them quite easily e.g. Decathlon in Oporto.
Or a balance issue. I need poles on cobbles if I'm carrying a pack due to chemotherapy-induced vertigo. That click-click is me not falling over.The only place trekking poles might be an advantage to an otherwise fit pilgrim would be the climb out of Ponte da Lima.
Otherwise it's fairly flat with lots of cobbles in and out of villages, though some folk insist on clickety clicking all the way to, and all around Santiago, regardless of the terrain or the necessity to use them. A habit, perhaps..
There are some climbs / descends on the central routeWhat airport were they confiscated at?
As for “essential,” only you can answer that. The route is not that difficult but there are some climbs and descents during which poles could help. Fortunately, poles are sold in Porto.
It is.poles or two canes for me some days, i prefer poles, but usen rubber tips. People use.them for sll kinds of reasons, some medically like me,.others who knows, but even if just a habit, it is a good and healthy.one.The only place trekking poles might be an advantage to an otherwise fit pilgrim would be the climb out of Ponte da Lima.
Otherwise it's fairly flat with lots of cobbles in and out of villages, though some folk insist on clickety clicking all the way to, and all around Santiago, regardless of the terrain or the necessity to use them. A habit, perhaps..
nope - never saw the need.Hello,
I’m due to begin the Camino from Porto, taking the Central route. Unfortunately I had my trekking poles confiscated at the airport.
Does anyone know if trekking poles are essential for the Central route? I def needed them for Camino Frances from SJPP to Santiago!
Hope someone can help!
This is why I walk with only one pole and often it is stashed on my pack.nope - never saw the need.
... also like having my hands free to access Guidebook, camera, water bottle, etc.
Good to know, as my Wife & I plan to do the Primitivo in 2024.My son and I recently purchasd two poles to share at the Decathlon in Oviedo, paying only €5.99 each for the cheapest ones they sell, as we expected to have to leave them behind. He did break them down into four separate parts each in his pack, but Iberia Airlines still removed them in Madrid on our way home; a very minimal loss.
... and if you were using them correctly, these things would all be possible while using walking poles.... also like having my hands free to access Guidebook, camera, water bottle, etc.
The steepest bit of that hil climb was not as as steep as the ponte lima hill, then it's only a gradual hill climb.If you would walk the variante spiritual (which I would recommend) there's the hardest climb where you might want to have your poles at hand
Which airport confiscated your poles?
The steepest bit of that hil climb was not as as steep as the ponte lima hill, then it's only a gradual hill climb.
So perhaps not the hardest climb of the walk IMO
Agree! And the climb out of Ponte de Lima isn't too bad. There is a steep rocky stretch just before you reach the top but it is less than 1 km. Buen Camino.The only place trekking poles might be an advantage to an otherwise fit pilgrim would be the climb out of Ponte da Lima.
Otherwise it's fairly flat with lots of cobbles in and out of villages, though some folk insist on clickety clicking all the way to, and all around Santiago, regardless of the terrain or the necessity to use them. A habit, perhaps..
What about that 435M “hill” just outside of Lebruja? Especially during a rain it was most challenging. The poles were life savers.Agree! And the climb out of Ponte de Lima isn't too bad. There is a steep rocky stretch just before you reach the top but it is less than 1 km. Buen Camino.
You almost go past Decathlon as you leave Porto. They sell there own poles for a few euros. Mine have done 3 caminhos and still going strong. Rubber tips are sokd separately.Hello,
I’m due to begin the Camino from Porto, taking the Central route. Unfortunately I had my trekking poles confiscated at the airport.
Does anyone know if trekking poles are essential for the Central route? I def needed them for Camino Frances from SJPP to Santiago!
Hope someone can help!
At rainy periods you can avoid the Alto da Portela Grande hill ( between Ponte de Lima and Rubiães ) by taking the national road N201 but keep in mind that this road winds around the Labruja mountains and has only a hard shoulder and you will meet the Portuguese drivers who, once behind the steering wheel , drive like devils and think they can act like our Dutch national Formula 1 racing champion of the world, Max Verstappen. Besides that it leads through dark woods .What about that 435M “hill” just outside of Lebruja? Especially during a rain it was most challenging. The poles were life savers.
That’s why friends are forYou were by car and Fernanda let you sleep in her beautifull Casa that surprises me
You may find some poles near the departures area of the airport as people decide, at the last minute,not to take them home!Hello,
I’m due to begin the Camino from Porto, taking the Central route. Unfortunately I had my trekking poles confiscated at the airport.
Does anyone know if trekking poles are essential for the Central route? I def needed them for Camino Frances from SJPP to Santiago!
Hope someone can help!
We used them because we are 60 but there was considerable variation among other walkers. The route is not technical so if you are fit and young you should be fine. Also best to do the first two days by coastal route and then cut in landHello,
I’m due to begin the Camino from Porto, taking the Central route. Unfortunately I had my trekking poles confiscated at the airport.
Does anyone know if trekking poles are essential for the Central route? I def needed them for Camino Frances from SJPP to Santiago!
Hope someone can help!
I had mine confiscated flying out of Santiago to Amsterdam. Still mad about that because I’ve never had this flying from any other airport in Spain.What airport were they confiscated at?
As for “essential,” only you can answer that. The route is not that difficult but there are some climbs and descents during which poles could help. Fortunately, poles are sold in Porto.
Santiago is an exception amongst airports in that its rules on poles are actually applied consistently! Poles are not allowed in carry-on from Santiago. Period.I had mine confiscated flying out of Santiago to Amsterdam. Still mad about that because I’ve never had this flying from any other airport in Spain.
We were told they couldn't be "carry on" when flying from Madrid.I had mine confiscated flying out of Santiago to Amsterdam. Still mad about that because I’ve never had this flying from any other airport in Spain.
Here is an article that discusses the science of the benefits of using hiking poles, especially on the descents. There is a mathematical formula, that I cannot find right now, that demonstrates amount of pressure you actually put on your knees walking downhill; it is your combined body weight, the weight of backpack added to a % of that total weight. https://hikingandfishing.com/benefi...gnificantly reduces forces,joint by up to 25%.Hello,
I’m due to begin the Camino from Porto, taking the Central route. Unfortunately I had my trekking poles confiscated at the airport.
Does anyone know if trekking poles are essential for the Central route? I def needed them for Camino Frances from SJPP to Santiago!
Hope someone can help!
What is it about the spiritual variant that you didn't like? I'm asking because I've never been but am interested.There are some climbs / descends on the central route
the most important is the climb to the Alto da Portela Grande mountain ( about 450 meters high) between Ponte de Lima and Rubiães and later on between O Porrińo and Redondela there are some nasty descents .
And if you want to walk that so called espiritual variant there is a nasty steep climb between Combarro and Armenteira
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