Easiest Route into Portomarin

[auburnfive]

Hello,
Wondering if someone can describe the easiest route into Portomarin for someone with dodgy knees. There are some posts from a few years back, have ther3 been any updates on what has been described as slippery and dangerous. Thank you

 

[Tincatinker]

The easy route is clearly signposted and easy to follow

 

[Deleted member 3000]

They are all about the same. After all, you have the same elevation to lose regardless of the approach to Portomarin. The final descent is a bit steeper than a route that was marked about three years ago. You can recreate that route by staying on the road after Vilacha, turning left when the signs tell you to turn right. It is only a bit longer and initially takes you to a very nice albergue before the bridge. Both are on pavement.

 

[Paul McAmino]

What Tincatinker said. I took the complementary route, which was quite clearly marked, after seeing the posted photos of the “normal” route. The elevation change is the same, but the route is not treacherous underfoot.
All the best,
Paul

 

[Iriebabel]

From the top of the hill the route to the right is the best although there is a short steep downhill on pavement. I dont recommend you taking the Roman steps route one of my camino friends fell almost rolling off the cliff there and she said several others had difficulty.

 

[MeandIan]

Yesterday we walked from Sarria to Portomarin. When you you get close, there’s a T junction with opposing arrows. Take the left that is marked ‘Historico’. We then followed it and came to two signs, one for the road and a right turn across through a narrow path. We took this route because we saw two other pilgrims, and also because we didn’t know any better. I don’t know how old they were, but for us it was extremely risky for many reasons. We are in our sixties and have had joint replacements. We were trying to outwalk the rain which was starting and we thought it would be quicker. The rocks were huge and the path narrow and extremely steep. The rocks were wet. Fortunately we didn’t have on our ponchos because that would’ve added to the risk. There were some small sections that I could place my feet but Ian has big feet and he was more at risk. I said each man for himself, I’ll see you at the bottom .
I tried to attach a video but I’m having problems doing it.
My advice, take the road if you have dodgy knees

 

[Mark McCarthy]

The leftmost Camino Complimentario is the easiest on the knees. The middle most direct route is down a treacherous path and the rightmost is extremely steep which hard on the knees.

 

[Former member 81810]

I have attached picture of board I took on Camino at junction in Sept which showed choices. I took hint and avoided red route. I went right and route OK, road walking but no cars.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I have attached picture of board

Very informative. In a dozen descents into Portomarin, I have never seen that board, and am completely unaware of the "red" route. I am not masochistic enough to take it!! The road route to the left is the gentlest descent. The road route to the right is shortest.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

From the top of the hill the route to the right is the best although there is a short steep downhill on pavement. I dont recommend you taking the Roman steps route one of my camino friends fell almost rolling off the cliff there and she said several others had difficulty.

Are the "Roman Steps" the pile of boulders on the western side? If so I heartily agree - avoid them at all cost especially when wet.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

The easy route is clearly signposted and easy to follow

a picture paints a thousand words:



Be like Dorothy and follow the yellow brick road.

 

[Iriebabel]

Are the "Roman Steps" the pile of boulders on the western side? If so I heartily agree - avoid them at all cost especially when wet.

My friend was a day or two ahead of me when she fell and I was greatful for the heads up. I am happy I avoided also. I think if it is raining and wet the steps would be really bad. The road walking was better on my knees except the last bit down the hill onto the main road...it was very steep.

Yes on the red route is the steps. I took the safe road lol I believe from the road sign above I remembered turning right walking down a bit then turning left to go down hill. The @peterbells map of the board is the one I remember seeing on the top of the hill .. I learned much in reading the Spanish maps

 

[FLEUR]

There was a hold up at that rocky point when we walked it in 2016 . Many walkers were afraid to continue. Thankfully David a kind pilgrim waited and helped everyone to get through. This was on a fine, dry September day.

 

[auburnfive]

Thank you so much, this is very helpful. By the “road route to the left” do you mean the green branch off of the red route? Is it easy to spot?

 

[Iriebabel]

Thank you so much, this is very helpful. By the “road route to the left” do you mean the green branch off of the red route? Is it easy to spot?

When you are on top of the hill. It is a wide open intersection looking out towards down hill turn right walk down the road then you will see that road is marked with a camino marker to turn left . After going down the hill. Go to the left to the main road which which crosses the bridge into Porto Marin. This is the sign at the bridge. On the other side of the bridge is the steps leading up under the archway into town.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I just walked this in May and to ME, the easiest route is the old one to the right.

 

[Andrew Lowrey]

Hello,
Wondering if someone can describe the easiest route into Portomarin for someone with dodgy knees. There are some posts from a few years back, have ther3 been any updates on what has been described as slippery and dangerous. Thank you

My knees are a bit dodgy too, but I had no problems at all with the approach to Portomarin. It's nowhere near as hard on knees as the approach to Molinaseca a week's walking ago.

 

[Kathar1na]

View attachment 47723
I have attached picture of board I took on Camino at junction in Sept which showed choices. I took hint and avoided red route. I went right and route OK, road walking but no cars.

I just want to say thank you to you for posting this photo with this clear information. There is a second information board, similar to this one, at the point where the red trail and the dotted trail split. I took the red trail recently in very wet weather and found it a lot less scary than imagined. I perceived it actually as very enjoyable and I would not hesitate to take it again. I wore proper shoes, had my backpack on my back and thankfully I had no walking poles with me that would get in my way.