Camino from Porto - Trekking Poles confiscated at airport!

[MissX]

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!

 

[Flog]

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..

 

[Betterisgood]

Hi there,
My first camino at age 50 was the central from Porto (first Vila do Conde on the coastal then over to the central) I knew nothing of walking caminos or using poles so I had none and was fine. However the next summer I walked from Lisbon to Santiago with poles the entire way (every step) and would never walk without them again. Having become a camino addict the year in between the two caminos I read about pacer poles and decided to give them a try, rubber stoppers are essential to avoid the annoying click clack, I have yet to take them off on any camino I've done. I have never walked the French I can't comment on that but if you are used to using poles my advice would be to get some before you start walking, but are they absolutely necessary probably not. Goodluck!!
Buen camino,
MaryEllen

 

[Vacajoe]

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.

 

[henrythedog]

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!

If you’re used to using them; as I am, I’d say yes. They are available in Porto.

 

[Antonius Vaessen]

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

 

[dick bird]

Does anyone know if trekking poles are essential for the Central route? I def needed them for Camino Frances from SJPP to Santiago!

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.

 

[Former member 92300]

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.

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.

 

[Sho]

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..

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.

 

[Camembert]

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.

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

 

[Kathy F.]

They are as essential on the CP as they were on the CF. Only you can be the judge.

 

[buridan]

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..

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.

 

[Obidad]

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!

nope - never saw the need.
... also like having my hands free to access Guidebook, camera, water bottle, etc.

 

[BennyB]

The wife and I recently finished the CP. currently the ALDIs grocery stores have them on sale at $20 a pair.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

nope - never saw the need.
... also like having my hands free to access Guidebook, camera, water bottle, etc.

This is why I walk with only one pole and often it is stashed on my pack.
That said, on slippery rocks in streams or muddy puddles I am always happy to have the extra support.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

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.

 

[lovelyshell]

I used poles on the CF and used them recently on the CP. I bought them at the Porto Decathalon which is kind of not close to the city center so take an Uber there. I walked back but probably should have taken an Uber because I got lost. The piles were 6 euro each. Make sure to buy pole tips as the poles did not have them and I had to buy some in Barcelos.

 

[Obidad]

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.

Good to know, as my Wife & I plan to do the Primitivo in 2024.

 

[NorthernLight]

Before buying them, ask at your hostal or albergue if they have any left behind by a pilgrim heading home.

Many of us fly home out of Porto and leave our poles there.

 

[dougfitz]

... also like having my hands free to access Guidebook, camera, water bottle, etc.

... and if you were using them correctly, these things would all be possible while using walking poles.

For the OP - essential is a strong word, and I find it difficult when people ask this. I have walked with mine for over two decades, and on pilgrimage routes for over a decade of that time. I wouldn't be without them, and while I pack mine in hold baggage, were I in your position, I would be getting a reasonably priced replacement at least the equivalent of the ones that weren't allowed through security.

Of course, you don't have to do this, but consider if all your training has been done using poles, your body will already be accustomed to the advantages they give you, not just on steeper slopes but anywhere where they can be used to reduce the load on your hip, knee and ankle joints.

 

[MissX]

Thank you all for your responses - I picked up a fairly inexpensive pair from Decathlon in Porto. I hope to use them tomorrow. If anyone is also starting tomorrow, doing the Central Route, please say hello!

 

[Vacajoe]

Which airport confiscated your poles?

 

[Enzed]

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

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

 

[Enzed]

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

And Lisbon/Emirates is not walking pole friendly either.

 

[Charlotte Helbig]

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..

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.

 

[BennyB]

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.

What about that 435M “hill” just outside of Lebruja? Especially during a rain it was most challenging. The poles were life savers.

 

[hughb]

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!

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.

 

[Camembert]

What about that 435M “hill” just outside of Lebruja? Especially during a rain it was most challenging. The poles were life savers.

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 .
one time I stayed at Casa da Fernanda ( I was there with my car) and during diner I sat next to a guy who I met a few days later on this N201 ,avoiding this slippery hill
We drove in pouring rain from Casa da Fernanda to Valença for some shopping and met this guy and company , walking in black Altus ponchos so this was very dangerous. You hardly could see them .
we decided to give them a lift to Rubiães .They were very grateful but if you can, do not do this.
At the foot of the Alto da Portela Grande by the way is an albergue , a restaurant and a small chapel. Only a few yards away is a sidestreet that leads to the N201 If you have the courage.

 

[Antonius Vaessen]

You were by car and Fernanda let you sleep in her beautifull Casa that surprises me

 

[Camembert]

You were by car and Fernanda let you sleep in her beautifull Casa that surprises me

That’s why friends are for

 

[Annetom]

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!

You may find some poles near the departures area of the airport as people decide, at the last minute,not to take them home!

 

[Giorgio99]

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 land

 

[Hiking Joe]

I am wobbely on the best of day's. If you think you need them (sticks), and the fact you ask, means yes. Then why not buy some, as said you pack your fears, at least these will come in hands, unlike (for me) hiking wool special import from new-sealand, Marino wooly. Used once, never worked for me , never used again ;-) but still drag it along :-D

 

[Linda V]

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.

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.

 

[henrythedog]

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.

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.

For years poles were allowed to be checked-in free of charge at Santiago; but recent reports suggest that is no longer universally the case..

 

[David Tallan]

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.

 

[Nick B]

Up to the individual, I've done both CF and Central route on the CP. Never took poles as I just couldn't be bothered carrying them but was in my early 50's when I did both.

The walk down to Zubiri the only place would have come in handy for myself, one part a lady handed one pole back to me to get over a tricky part which helped.

Climb out of Ponte de Lima a bit tricky, take your time you should be fine.

 

[ginniek]

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!

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%.

 

[Chomps]

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

What is it about the spiritual variant that you didn't like? I'm asking because I've never been but am interested.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

You didn't ask me, but I loved the Spiritual Variant, and most who have walked it that respond on this forum have really enjoyed it, too. Combarro is a beautiful, "not to be missed" village; Armenteira with it's monastery is very special; and the hour long boat ride to Padron is outstanding, as well.
The few climbs are no worse than any others most of us have experienced on other camino routes. I wouldn't let that put you off from experiencing the SV.