Costal to Central

[Susan B Johnson]

Hello! I will be walking the coastal way from Porto to Labruge. From Labruge I want to go over to the Central way. Will this be difficult? Any markers to help me find my way?

Thanks!

 

[Camembert]

Yes. 4 kms from Labruge by following the waymarked path you are in Vila do Conde where you can continue the waymarked path to SãoPedro de Rates on the Central route

You always have to cross the Ave river so the best way to do that is in Vila doConde .
you could do it directly from Labruge along so called Portuguese N roads with no footpaths others than hard shoulders and ambitious Formula One drivers , Portuguese think they are as soon as they sit behind the steering wheel of their bolides.

 

[Susan B Johnson]

Yes. 4 kms from Labruge by following the waymarked path you are in Vila do Conde where you can continue the waymarked path to SãoPedro de Rates on the Central route

You always have to cross the Ave river so the best way to do that is in Vila doConde .
you could do it directly from Labruge along so called Portuguese N roads with no footpaths others than hard shoulders and ambitious Formula One drivers , Portuguese think they are as soon as they sit behind the steering wheel of their bolides.

Thank you for your response! To verify my understanding, I should continue along the coast from Labruge until I reach Vila do Conde, and that is where I go inland to the Camino CentraL?

 

[Martin 888]

Yes, but make sure when you leave Vilar do Conde following the north bank of the river inland that you take the left fork in the road about one km east of the town. The Brierley Guide quite rightly suggests staying close to the river as you work your way inland but if you take the right fork (closer to the river bank), you’ll not find your first yellow arrow until about 4kms into the walk which is a bit worrying……good luck!

 

[Camembert]

If you want to eat something in Vila do Conde , also go to the Tourist Information for a stamp and ask them to explain the alternative way to Arcos and São Pedro de Rates along the Aquaduct

The Aquaduct moreless is in front of you as soon as you arrive from Labruge at the bridge over the Ave river
In front of you is a convent (de Santa Clara) on a hill and the albergue Santa Clara. Directly behind the convent is the Aquaduct.

Arriving on the bridge turn right directly and follow the Brierley route as mentioned above by @ Martin 888 but… directly after you veered to the right you can turn to the right again and you go UNDERNEATH the bridge and here continues the COASTAL route into the center of Vila de Conde where you will find the restaurants , bars and the Tourist Information.

 

[Brenlea]

If you want to eat something in Vila do Conde , also go to the Tourist Information for a stamp and ask them to explain the alternative way to Arcos and São Pedro de Rates along the Aquaduct

The Aquaduct moreless is in front of you as soon as you arrive from Labruge at the bridge over the Ave river
In front of you is a convent (de Santa Clara) on a hill and the albergue Santa Clara. Directly behind the convent is the Aquaduct.

Arriving on the bridge turn right directly and follow the Brierley route as mentioned above by @ Martin 888 but… directly after you veered to the right you can turn to the right again and you go UNDERNEATH the bridge and here continues the COASTAL route into the center of Vila de Conde where you will find the restaurants , bars and the Tourist Information.

I did the aquaduct route and enjoyed it, though there came a point when I was near farmers fields and I'm site was not the path but I did it with some creativity and an app and came into rates.

 

[Betsybro]

We did the Aqueduct route and found it easy, with no scary roads like I have heard are on the river route. The Tourist Office in Vila do Conde was not particularly helpful about the Aqueduct route but the Wise Pilgrim App has the route to follow. We just did it at the end of April.

 

[SushiNinja]

My video might help -
(I talk about crossing at Vila do conde)

 

[David Tallan]

Hello! I will be walking the coastal way from Porto to Labruge. From Labruge I want to go over to the Central way. Will this be difficult? Any markers to help me find my way?

Thanks!

What I did was walk on from Labruge to Vila do Conde. After crossing the bridge into Vila do Conde I immediately turned right and walked along the north side of the river. It wasn't long at all before I started seeing yellow arrows pointing to Arcos on the Central. I didn't find it difficult. There is some road walking and some people have reported traffic issues. I didn't experience anything worse than what I had experienced on the Frances. It was well marked.

There are other routes from Vila do Conde to the Central but I haven't taken them.