Camino Portugues from Coimbra (or earlier)

[viajero]

I am meeting friends (pilgrims that I met last spring while walking the Camino Frances) this April in Porto to walk the Camino Portugues. I will have several days beforehand and am thinking of starting on my own in Coimbra or possibly even earlier (I won't have enough days to start from Lisbon). My understanding is, that from Porto onward, there are albergues and the route is well marked. I have a few questions in the event that I start earlier.
1--If I start in Santarem, Tomar, or Coimbra, is it possible to get a credential in any of those places?
2--On the route before Porto, is it possible and/or necessary to collect stamps (sellos)? If so, as there are not albergues, where can the sellos be obtained?
3--Is the route well marked before Porto?
4--What are approximate prices of accomodation before Porto? I'm guessing that pensions are the main option.

Any tips or suggestions would be most appreciated.
Thanks

 

[sillydoll]

If you go onto John Breirley's website, you will be able to download two up-dates on the Portugues route with strip maps from Lisbon to Coimbra and Coimbra to Porto. He does say that:

Accommodation is, again, limited on the next stretch to Porto. If you are fit it breaks down into 4 full days of around 30km each (with some intermediate possibilities

http://www.caminoguides.com/latest.html

On the amigos website you can download a guide (or part thereof) from Lisbon.
http://www.amigosdelcamino.com/ Click on 'Caminos' then on Portugues.

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Also check out the Confraternity of St James's newly published downloadable guide to this route - available free of charge - please make a donation.

http://www.csj.org.uk/guides-online.htm

There you will find lots of internet resources and information on accommodation from Porto onwards.

When I was on this route a few months ago I met a couple who had walked from Coimbra - "sparcely waymarked horrible busy road walking" was how they described it.

There is quite a lot of road walking from Porto onwards - that might be enough for you.

As you will see in the Guide you can get sellos in all the usual places before and after Porto but particularly in Firestations where they will go out of their way to help you and also provide accommodation - i.e. the bunks or beds which the firemen use. I've met pilgrims who have walked from Lisbon to Valenca doing this.

Buen Camino

John