Camino Portugues

[Nick Read]

Hi I completed the Camino Frances in 2017 and planning to walk from Porto to Santiago this year.
I am debating as to whether to start on the coastal route and then join the central route at some point.
I have the choice of either going during mid April or Mid June. What would people recommend about the route and the choice between April or June.

 

[KariC]

Hi, Nick,
Hope you love it as much as I did. I started from Matosinhos along the coastal route, but met up with two French speaking women who were planning to go inland after a day. While we went through a couple quaint villages, a lot of it was rather "Russian industrial" type apartments to the right and coast to the left. As much as I LOVE walking along the ocean (and being a desert dweller, as seldom as I get to do that!), I made the decision to accompany them inland at Vila do Conde, and it was a wonderful decision!
The inland is so picturesque - loved, loved, loved it!
Bom caminho!

 

[surya8]

I walked from Porto at the end of April, it didn't rain much, only in Galicia for a couple of days, on and off as it didn;t last long, and once had hail. It was pleasant to walk in late Apr, warm and sunny mostly but Portugese call this month the month of Rains - in genaral. In June you'll have more stable weather but it will be hotter. I walked the first day to Vila do Conde along the ocean, loved it but turned to the central way later to join in Barcelos. No regrets about that as only there I could feel the true spirit of Camino. Loved the small towns along the way there, people, nature, food, the wide range of accommodation options and prices as well If you want to walk further along the coast, then you can still do it and join the central route from Esposende, Viana do Castello or Caminha.

 

[musicman]

Hola, have walked both and they are equally memorable.
The third time was last September, Coastal and then the Variante Spiritual, which is a fascinating detour and well signed - thst would get my vote - June, every time.

 

[mcopeland]

Walked the Coastal (actually the Litoral) all the way to Redondela where it joins the Coastal and loved it. After the first few days out of Porto you get out of the resort areas. We also would recommend walking out of Porto along the river and not skipping to Matosinhos. It's a lovely walk along the river and seeing where it joins the ocean.

 

[Phil71]

I too walked the Literal to Redondela and loved every step. Way marking not always the best but a wonderful camino. Very quiet which suited me (September). Walking barefoot along the beach is a treat you can't always find on a camino. Whatever you choose, enjoy.

 

[Nick Read]

Hi, Nick,
Hope you love it as much as I did. I started from Matosinhos along the coastal route, but met up with two French speaking women who were planning to go inland after a day. While we went through a couple quaint villages, a lot of it was rather "Russian industrial" type apartments to the right and coast to the left. As much as I LOVE walking along the ocean (and being a desert dweller, as seldom as I get to do that!), I made the decision to accompany them inland at Vila do Conde, and it was a wonderful decision!
The inland is so picturesque - loved, loved, loved it!
Bom caminho!

Thanks for the encouragement.

 

[Nick Read]

I too walked the Literal to Redondela and loved every step. Way marking not always the best but a wonderful camino. Very quiet which suited me (September). Walking barefoot along the beach is a treat you can't always find on a camino. Whatever you choose, enjoy.

Many thanks
I am really looking forward to the walking on the beach.
I did a bit of that on my way to Fisterra last year.
Best wishes
Nick

 

[Nick Read]

I walked from Porto at the end of April, it didn't rain much, only in Galicia for a couple of days, on and off as it didn;t last long, and once had hail. It was pleasant to walk in late Apr, warm and sunny mostly but Portugese call this month the month of Rains - in genaral. In June you'll have more stable weather but it will be hotter. I walked the first day to Vila do Conde along the ocean, loved it but turned to the central way later to join in Barcelos. No regrets about that as only there I could feel the true spirit of Camino. Loved the small towns along the way there, people, nature, food, the wide range of accommodation options and prices as well If you want to walk further along the coast, then you can still do it and join the central route from Esposende, Viana do Castello or Caminha.

This is really helpful advice.
I am planning to follow a similar route.
Many thanks
Nick

 

[Nick Read]

Hola, have walked both and they are equally memorable.
The third time was last September, Coastal and then the Variante Spiritual, which is a fascinating detour and well signed - thst would get my vote - June, every time.

Thanks for your encouragement
Nick

 

[Nick Read]

Walked the Coastal (actually the Litoral) all the way to Redondela where it joins the Coastal and loved it. After the first few days out of Porto you get out of the resort areas. We also would recommend walking out of Porto along the river and not skipping to Matosinhos. It's a lovely walk along the river and seeing where it joins the ocean.

Walked the Coastal (actually the Litoral) all the way to Redondela where it joins the Coastal and loved it. After the first few days out of Porto you get out of the resort areas. We also would recommend walking out of Porto along the river and not skipping to Matosinhos. It's a lovely walk along the river and seeing where it joins the ocean.

This really helpful.
I will follow advice about walking out of Porto
Many thanks
Nick

 

[Walking Lover]

Hi I completed the Camino Frances in 2017 and planning to walk from Porto to Santiago this year.
I am debating as to whether to start on the coastal route and then join the central route at some point.
I have the choice of either going during mid April or Mid June. What would people recommend about the route and the choice between April or June.

Don't miss the Coastal, at least for a couple of days. It is completely pleasurable.

 

[Deleted member 56069]

Nick, my wife and I walked from Porto last April via the central route. Our first day of walking was April 7th. We enjoyed the route very much with the exception of the first day out of Porto. There are several long stretches where you walk on the shoulder of the busy N-306. Also a lot of cobble stones and the even worse granite setts as paving stones.
Knowing what I know now, I would recommend the coastal route out of Porto.
Once in Vila do Conde, you can cut back inland if you wish and rejoin the interior just before Arcos. Other than the first day, the interior route was really interesting and I would recommend it
As far as the month, April traditionally can be a wet month in this region, but we didn't have a single drop of rain in all the time we were in Portugal and Spain last year. This is unusual for sure and certainly not a guarantee of what to expect.
Keep in mind April will be much less busy than June. We had absolutely no issue with accommodations last April. In June you are in Camino prime time, so reservations for stops are probably a good idea.

 

[Nick Read]

Nick, my wife and I walked from Porto last April via the central route. Our first day of walking was April 7th. We enjoyed the route very much with the exception of the first day out of Porto. There are several long stretches where you walk on the shoulder of the busy N-306. Also a lot of cobble stones and the even worse granite setts as paving stones.
Knowing what I know now, I would recommend the coastal route out of Porto.
Once in Vila do Conde, you can cut back inland if you wish and rejoin the interior just before Arcos. Other than the first day, the interior route was really interesting and I would recommend it
As far as the month, April traditionally can be a wet month in this region, but we didn't have a single drop of rain in all the time we were in Portugal and Spain last year. This is unusual for sure and certainly not a guarantee of what to expect.
Keep in mind April will be much less busy than June. We had absolutely no issue with accommodations last April. In June you are in Camino prime time, so reservations for stops are probably a good idea.View attachment 40035

Thank you so much that is really helpful.
Because of work commitments it looks as if I will need to go in June.

 

[Keith Camino]

Nick, my wife and I walked from Porto last April via the central route. Our first day of walking was April 7th. We enjoyed the route very much with the exception of the first day out of Porto. There are several long stretches where you walk on the shoulder of the busy N-306. Also a lot of cobble stones and the even worse granite setts as paving stones.
Knowing what I know now, I would recommend the coastal route out of Porto.
Once in Vila do Conde, you can cut back inland if you wish and rejoin the interior just before Arcos. Other than the first day, the interior route was really interesting and I would recommend it
As far as the month, April traditionally can be a wet month in this region, but we didn't have a single drop of rain in all the time we were in Portugal and Spain last year. This is unusual for sure and certainly not a guarantee of what to expect.
Keep in mind April will be much less busy than June. We had absolutely no issue with accommodations last April. In June you are in Camino prime time, so reservations for stops are probably a good idea.View attachment 40035

Hi Zrexer,

I am walking from Porto on 21 March and am planning to go by the coastal route. Last year I walked Primitivo in early April and wow, was it hot! What a surprise - but who knows for this year? I actually want to do the littoral route, but yes, there are probably lots of pretty sights on the central route. Given that the coastal route merges with the central once in Spain, do you think this gives enough of a look at the inland scenery, despite having missed the Portuguese part?

Cheers,

Keith

 

[Deleted member 56069]

Hi Zrexer,

I am walking from Porto on 21 March and am planning to go by the coastal route. Last year I walked Primitivo in early April and wow, was it hot! What a surprise - but who knows for this year? I actually want to do the littoral route, but yes, there are probably lots of pretty sights on the central route. Given that the coastal route merges with the central once in Spain, do you think this gives enough of a look at the inland scenery, despite having missed the Portuguese part?

Cheers,

Keith

Keith, hard for me to say, other than we enjoyed the interior route in Portugal to Tui, more than we enjoyed Tui to Santiago.
I think the central route is the more 'traditional' route as compared to the coastal route, but I am sure the coastal route has it's own attractions as well.