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The classic Ponte De Lima, Valença, Tui, Pontevedra, Padrón route.I am planning on doing my first camino at the start of July and I am looking for advice on the best route to follow? I was planning on walking from Leon to Santiago but now I am attending a wedding in Porto so I changed my plans to start from there. Any advice on the best route from Porto for a solo traveller (who's a bit nervous about the whole thing!) welcome! Thank you
You are right. it is the detour ,John Brierley describes in his guide -to get out of Porto.Am I correct in saying that I can avoid walking by the busy road out of Porto by following the Duero River out of Porto to the Atlantic Ocean and on to Vila do Conde and then change on to the interior Camino to Barcelos, Ponte de Lima etc?
I like the idea of the coastal route as I love the ocean but it looks like it is more difficult to navigate and quite lonely.
Also, is John Brierley’s book worth buying?
You are right. it is the detour ,John Brierley describes in his guide -to get out of Porto.
Most people walk only one day alongside the ocean from Matosinhos to Vila do Conde and then head direction São Pedro de Rates and Barcelos to Ponte de Lima .
Pilgrims who walk on ,following the coast direction Póvoa da Varzím and Esposende ,Viana do Castelo walk the real coastal which is more lonesome.
So if you like the "crowds" walk from Vila do Conde to São Pedro de Rates, Barcelos, Ponte de Lima , Valença do Minho/Tuí, o Porriño ,Redondela, Pontevedra, Caldas de Reis ,Padrón to Santiago.I advise to look on a map how this route goes. Then you have an idea.
As this is your first camino, I would suggest walking that path as you have noted above. The interior route is not nearly as crowded as the French route is but there are enough people not to get lonely. I reckon that it is a very good idea to be able to walk or meet up with other pilgrims while on your first camino. You will appreciate the company, advice and guidance. Bom Caminho!!Am I correct in saying that I can avoid walking by the busy road out of Porto by following the Duero River out of Porto to the Atlantic Ocean and on to Vila do Conde and then change on to the interior Camino to Barcelos, Ponte de Lima etc?
I like the idea of the coastal route as I love the ocean but it looks like it is more difficult to navigate and quite lonely.
Also, is John Brierley’s book worth buying?
As this is your first camino, I would suggest walking that path as you have noted above. The interior route is not nearly as crowded as the French route is but there are enough people not to get lonely. I reckon that it is a very good idea to be able to walk or meet up with other pilgrims while on your first camino. You will appreciate the company, advice and guidance. Bom Caminho!!
BTW, one thing I learned on the Caminho Portuguese last year that I think is worth sharing is that you should start from the Porto Cathedral. If you have the time, don't take a train to avoid the walk out of Porto as many people suggest. If you want to break up the day, like Jill says, walk to Matosinhos, take the metro or bus back and sleep in Porto, then take the train back in the morning to where you stopped.
It is 30 kms. Do as suggested. Walk to Matosinhos and take the bus or metro back to Porto for a second night ! The bus and metrostop at the bridge. Called MercadoGreat, thank you Michael. I was planning on walking Porto to Vila do Conde on my first day - Do you think this is a bit ambitious for a first timer?!
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