Camino Portuguese September 24-October 8, 2023

[CaminoGirl4]

I am planning to start on the CP on September 24th. What is the weather like on the CP right now? Also, can you recommend any cultural or historical sites to see on the way to Santiago? Are all of the routes open to pilgrims? I think that I am scheduled for the coastal route. Is it really ALL cobblestone? Buen Camino

 

[CE1948]

A good guide book is a good investment - answers to most of your questions in one place?
Portugal weather next 14 days - https://www.bing.com/search?q=portugal+14+day+weather+forecast&FORM=QSRE1

 

[woody66]

I am planning to start on the CP on September 24th. What is the weather like on the CP right now? Also, can you recommend any cultural or historical sites to see on the way to Santiago? Are all of the routes open to pilgrims? I think that I am scheduled for the coastal route. Is it really ALL cobblestone? Buen Camino

The Coastal from Porto and Senda Littoral as far as i can remember didn't have a lot. (someone will jump in if im wrong)
Walking out of Porto on the river side led to the sea along pavement to the coast and boardwalks which are easy on the feet and legs and some beach walking.
When it turns inland you walk on footpaths and gravel tracks.
A Lovely walk

 

[simeon]

If I remember correctly it's the central route has a fair bit of cobblestone the first day or two out of porto depending on the varient. It was just one day for me I took the metro out to shorten/ fairly eliminate the city streets.

 

[kenwilltravel]

I am planning to start on the CP on September 24th. What is the weather like on the CP right now? Also, can you recommend any cultural or historical sites to see on the way to Santiago? Are all of the routes open to pilgrims? I think that I am scheduled for the coastal route. Is it really ALL cobblestone? Buen Camino

I just checked the Weather App for Viana do Castello, a major town on the Coastal, and it shows from now until the 17th temperatures in the low to mid 20s (Centigrade) and some strong chances of rainy days until the 12th. All of that is subject to change, of course, but it looks like northern Portugal is heading into a rainy spell which could be over by the time you get started.
And no, the route is not all cobblestone -- there is some, but lots of dirt trails and boardwalk along the beach, as Woody66 points out.
As for cultural/historical sites, more of that on the Central route (Barcelos, Ponte de Lima, Valença, Tui, Pontevedra and Padrón) than the Coastal per se but there is a replica of Columbus' ship Pinta that you can visit in Baiona harbor. A Guarda also has a Celtic archaeological site.

 

[Casserole]

I can't answer your question about weather or cobblestones on the coastal (I did the Central in May 2022). BUT I cannot recommend enough doing the Spiritual Variant. The ascent to the Monastery rivals the Pyrenees, but the Monastery and the next day was the most beautiful I have ever experienced.