Camino Portugues Spiritual Route

[ggtree]

I have just completed the Camino Portugues route arriving in Santiago about an hour ago. I must comment on the incredible Spiritual Route or Variente Espiritual. This was the highlight of my whole Camino. I highly recommend it if you have the option. This was my fourth Camino and honestly, of all the routes I’ve done, this one I will definitely do again.

 

[kenwilltravel]

I definitely feel the same way. You can't beat the scenery and staying a night in the Armenteira Monastery really was a spiritual experience, with the Vespers service in the cloisters.

 

[woody66]

I will have been waiting just over two years by the time i walk in mid September and the Espiritual has been the thing i am looking forward to the most!
I have had all my sleeps booked since last year including the Armenteira Monastery thanks to sister Paula who made it possible.
Although i am forever positive;the outcome regarding Covid 19 and being able to walk in Portugal and Spain in September is still fluid and out of our control.
Hope for the future should keep us all going;and we can all walk one day.
WOODY .

 

[WanderingBrian]

I’m walking the Espiritual as part of my September Senda Litoral. Can’t wait.

 

[Charte57]

Agreed! The Ruta de piedra and agua on day 2 was probably the most beautiful walk I’ve ever experienced. There are two choices, upper or lower, I opted for the lower which was right beside the water, at times I was even wading due to heavy rains, well worth it!

 

[jungleboy]

I have just completed the Camino Portugues route arriving in Santiago about an hour ago. I must comment on the incredible Spiritual Route or Variente Espiritual. This was the highlight of my whole Camino. I highly recommend it if you have the option. This was my fourth Camino and honestly, of all the routes I’ve done, this one I will definitely do again.

I loved the VE too. My photos and highlights are here.

P.S. It was great to serendipitously bump into you in Santiago today @ggtree! Enjoy Muxía/Finisterre!

 

[trancendi]

Obrigado for your note! I’m flying into Porto on July 9th to begin my first Camino, along the coastal route. I understand many albergues are closed. May I ask how far you walked each day and where you stayed?

 

[Sue127]

I loved the VE too. My photos and highlights are here.

P.S. It was great to serendipitously bump into you in Santiago today @ggtree! Enjoy Muxía/Finisterre!

Thank you for your detailed accounts. I’m definitely going to add the VE when I walk from Porto in October.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I loved the Espiritual Variant in May 2019 when I walked it. I don't think anyone who chooses to add it in to the Portuguese Camino will be disappointed.

 

[happymarkos]

I definitely feel the same way. You can't beat the scenery and staying a night in the Armenteira Monastery really was a spiritual experience, with the Vespers service in the cloisters.

And the walk next day past all the old water driven mills was unique to this variation. Loved it as well as the hospitality of the nuns. Added to the spiritual divided.

 

[mspath]

I have just completed the Camino Portugues route arriving in Santiago about an hour ago. I must comment on the incredible Spiritual Route or Variente Espiritual. This was the highlight of my whole Camino. I highly recommend it if you have the option. This was my fourth Camino and honestly, of all the routes I’ve done, this one I will definitely do again.

ggtree,

Congratulations on your arrival!
In this time of so much uncertainity it is a pleasure to see and digitally share your happiness.
Carpe diem.!

 

[wisepilgrim]

I was just on it myself, and had forgotten how lovely it was. Some towns have even installed some new markers along the way.

And the boat to Padrón is operational, but as always is dependent on the tide. Keep that in mind when planning the ultimate and penultimate days... you may arrive in Padrón early enough for a full day of walking into Santiago or you may arrive later making it a somewhat warmer enterprise.

 

[Renascer]

I have just completed the Camino Portugues route arriving in Santiago about an hour ago. I must comment on the incredible Spiritual Route or Variente Espiritual. This was the highlight of my whole Camino. I highly recommend it if you have the option. This was my fourth Camino and honestly, of all the routes I’ve done, this one I will definitely do again.

What a cool picture! That is definitely in my plans for September. Thank you for sharing.

 

[Celi Anatrella]

Congratulations! Please share your stages and if you don’t mind where you stayed. Did you make reaervations? Thank you kindly!

 

[jungleboy]

Congratulations! Please share your stages and if you don’t mind where you stayed. Did you make reaervations? Thank you kindly!

If you just mean for the Variante Espiritual, it's generally pretty straightforward:

Day 1: Pontevedra to Armenteira (~23km)
There's an albergue past the village near the entrance to the Water and Stone Route, or the Armenteira monastery with the chanting nuns in the village.

Day 2: Armenteira to Vilanova de Arousa (~24km)

We stayed at A Salazón which I recommend; it's hotel-like for albergue prices (€18/double with bathroom).

Day 3: Vilanova de Arousa to Padrón (boat + 2km walk!)

Our boat left at midday. Others have had early morning boats and still walked into Santiago afterwards but we were happy to have virtually a day off and stay at Padrón. We wanted to go to the monastery at Herbon but it was closed due to the pandemic (early Oct 2020).

 

[kenwilltravel]

Day 2: Armenteira to Vilanova de Arousa (~24km)
We stayed at A Salazón which I recommend; it's hotel-like for albergue prices (€18/double with bathroom).

Glad to hear that A Salazón survived the pandemic. We stayed there in 2019 and liked it. The manager is a helpful fellow.

 

[Renascer]

Congratulations! Please share your stages and if you don’t mind where you stayed. Did you make reaervations? Thank you kindly!

Im out of state right now. When i get home i will check my notes of my itinerary and post here.

 

[Celi Anatrella]

If you just mean for the Variante Espiritual, it's generally pretty straightforward:

Day 1: Pontevedra to Armenteira (~23km)
There's an albergue past the village near the entrance to the Water and Stone Route, or the Armenteira monastery with the chanting nuns in the village.

Day 2: Armenteira to Vilanova de Arousa (~24km)

We stayed at A Salazón which I recommend; it's hotel-like for albergue prices (€18/double with bathroom).

Day 3: Vilanova de Arousa to Padrón (boat + 2km walk!)

Our boat left at midday. Others have had early morning boats and still walked into Santiago afterwards but we were happy to have virtually a day off and stay at Padrón. We wanted to go to the monastery at Herbon but it was closed due to the pandemic (early Oct 2020).

Thank you for the info. What about the rest of your stages, please? Thank you for your time sharing this info. i appreciate it a whole lot.

 

[jungleboy]

Thank you for the info. What about the rest of your stages, please? Thank you for your time sharing this info. i appreciate it a whole lot.

Day 1: Lisbon to Alverca do Ribatejo (~36km!)

Day 2: Alverca do Ribatejo to Vila Franca de Xira (~11km)

Day 3: Vila Franca de Xira to Azambuja (~20km)

Day 4: Azambuja to Quinta da Burra (past Porto de Muge, ~16.5km)

Day 5: Quinta da Burra to Santarém (~14km + a sneaky 7.5km in walking around Santarém)

Day 6: Santarém to Azinhaga (~21.5km with a shortcut!)

Day 7: Azinhaga to Vila Nova da Barquinha (~17km)

Day 8: Vila Nova da Barquinha to Tomar (~21km)

Day 9: Tomar to Heart Way Pilgrim House (near Vila Verde, ~21km)

Day 10: Heart Way Pilgrim House to Ansião (~24.5km)

Day 11: Ansião to Rabaçal (~19km)

Day 12: Rabaçal to Cernache (~19km)

Day 13: Cernache to Coimbra (~11km + ~7km more in Coimbra!)

Day 14: Coimbra to Sernadelo (~24km)

Day 15: Sernadelo to Águeda (~22km)

Day 16: Águeda to Albergaria-a-Velha (~16.5km)

Day 17: Albergaria-a-Velha to Albergue Moinho Garcia (~13.5km)

Day 18: Albergue Moinho Garcia to São João da Madeira (~21km including lunch detour)

Day 19: São João da Madeira to Mar Dentro Surf Farm (~25km)

Day 20: Mar Dentro to Porto (~14km + 8km more in Porto)

Day 21: Porto to Mosteiro de Vairão (~22km)

Day 22: Vairão to Barcelos (~30km)

Day 23: Barcelos to Casa da Fernanda (~20km)

Day 24: Casa da Fernanda to Ponte de Lima (~16km including lunch detour)

Day 25: Ponte de Lima to Rubiães (~20km)

Day 26: Rubiães to Tui (~20km)

Day 27: Tui to Redondela (~33km)

Day 28: Redondela to Pontevedra (~21km)

Day 29: Pontevedra to Armenteira (Variante Espiritual, ~23km + 5km more in the afternoon)

Day 30: Armenteira to Vilanova de Arousa (~24km)

Day 31: Vilanova de Arousa to Padrón (La Barca del Peregrino + 2km walk!)

Day 32: Padrón to Santiago de Compostela (~25km)

 

[Celi Anatrella]

Day 1: Lisbon to Alverca do Ribatejo (~36km!)

Day 2: Alverca do Ribatejo to Vila Franca de Xira (~11km)

Day 3: Vila Franca de Xira to Azambuja (~20km)

Day 4: Azambuja to Quinta da Burra (past Porto de Muge, ~16.5km)

Day 5: Quinta da Burra to Santarém (~14km + a sneaky 7.5km in walking around Santarém)

Day 6: Santarém to Azinhaga (~21.5km with a shortcut!)

Day 7: Azinhaga to Vila Nova da Barquinha (~17km)

Day 8: Vila Nova da Barquinha to Tomar (~21km)

Day 9: Tomar to Heart Way Pilgrim House (near Vila Verde, ~21km)

Day 10: Heart Way Pilgrim House to Ansião (~24.5km)

Day 11: Ansião to Rabaçal (~19km)

Day 12: Rabaçal to Cernache (~19km)

Day 13: Cernache to Coimbra (~11km + ~7km more in Coimbra!)

Day 14: Coimbra to Sernadelo (~24km)

Day 15: Sernadelo to Águeda (~22km)

Day 16: Águeda to Albergaria-a-Velha (~16.5km)

Day 17: Albergaria-a-Velha to Albergue Moinho Garcia (~13.5km)

Day 18: Albergue Moinho Garcia to São João da Madeira (~21km including lunch detour)

Day 19: São João da Madeira to Mar Dentro Surf Farm (~25km)

Day 20: Mar Dentro to Porto (~14km + 8km more in Porto)

Day 21: Porto to Mosteiro de Vairão (~22km)

Day 22: Vairão to Barcelos (~30km)

Day 23: Barcelos to Casa da Fernanda (~20km)

Day 24: Casa da Fernanda to Ponte de Lima (~16km including lunch detour)

Day 25: Ponte de Lima to Rubiães (~20km)

Day 26: Rubiães to Tui (~20km)

Day 27: Tui to Redondela (~33km)

Day 28: Redondela to Pontevedra (~21km)

Day 29: Pontevedra to Armenteira (Variante Espiritual, ~23km + 5km more in the afternoon)

Day 30: Armenteira to Vilanova de Arousa (~24km)

Day 31: Vilanova de Arousa to Padrón (La Barca del Peregrino + 2km walk!)

Day 32: Padrón to Santiago de Compostela (~25km)

Thank you jungleboy. Any recommendations of albergues where you stayed please? I'm planning to walk only from Porto though. I appreciate your time and info.

 

[trancendi]

If you just mean for the Variante Espiritual, it's generally pretty straightforward:

Day 1: Pontevedra to Armenteira (~23km)
There's an albergue past the village near the entrance to the Water and Stone Route, or the Armenteira monastery with the chanting nuns in the village.

Day 2: Armenteira to Vilanova de Arousa (~24km)

We stayed at A Salazón which I recommend; it's hotel-like for albergue prices (€18/double with bathroom).

Day 3: Vilanova de Arousa to Padrón (boat + 2km walk!)

Our boat left at midday. Others have had early morning boats and still walked into Santiago afterwards but we were happy to have virtually a day off and stay at Padrón. We wanted to go to the monastery at Herbon but it was closed due to the pandemic (early Oct 2020).

Obrigado! This is very helpful! I’m hoping to stay with the nuns and was wondering how many days before Santiago to book. This itinerary is perfect and the hotel suggestions are appreciated!

 

[jungleboy]

Thank you jungleboy. Any recommendations of albergues where you stayed please? I'm planning to walk only from Porto though. I appreciate your time and info.

My top recommendations from Porto (assuming central route) are:

• The monastery in Vairão the first day out of Porto (it's not an active monastery but is still fun)
• Casa da Fernanda
• Ideas Peregrinas in Tui, run by two lovely sisters who have an attached cafe too
• In Armenteira, we stayed at the albergue but later wished we had chosen the monastery!

 

[Renascer]

Anyone know if monastery in armenteira accepts my backpack before i get there?

 

[Renascer]

I’m walking the Espiritual as part of my September Senda Litoral. Can’t wait.

Im right there too in September and also cant wait!