Coastal route vs inland

[larryflo]

Which is easier for an old road biker, from Porto, the coastal route or inland? Which has less hills? It looks like the distance are about the same.

Thanks

Larry

 

[jpflavin1]

Larry:

Coastal route (Norte) day in and out has more hills. The (Frances) has some steeper climbs but flattens out in the middle before getting hilly again. A look at the gronze.com site will give you a general view of each days challenges.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[larryflo]

Larry:

Coastal route (Norte) day in and out has more hills. The (Frances) has some steeper climbs but flattens out in the middle before getting hilly again. A look at the gronze.com site will give you a general view of each days challenges.

Ultreya,
Joe

Joe,
I did not make myself clear. I ment the inland route from Porto via Braga.

 

[jpflavin1]

Larry:

Never walked the Portuguese but I would still recommend you check out the Gronze.com site. It will show both routes.

Joe

 

[edumad]

Joe,
I did not make myself clear. I ment the inland route from Porto via Braga.

The central route does not go from Porto to Braga. It follows north to Barcelos, Ponte de Lima and Valença.
The coastal route is probably easier. I have done the central route by bike many times and the coastal up to Vila Praia de Âncora.

The central route is easy up to Barcelos and between Tui and Porrino it's also very flat. But there are many climbs and generally harder than those in the coast.
One added advantage of the coastal, at least on the portuguese side, is that there are easy options to bypass a few sections on the hills. For example, between Castelo de Neiva and Viana do Castelo the arrows take into a small hill an through paved roads. Many walkers and cyclists keep to the tarmacked national road which is easier. Only drawback is if it's windy, on the coastal going north you are very exposed and pedaling head on or at 45º angle to it.