Fear of heights

[Lightfeet]

In June planning to start in Porto and follow the Senda Litoral and combine with the Coastal Route and possibly the Central. Having a fear of heights, is there anything I should be concerned about? Even being on a fairly wide path, if there is a cliff at the edge, I feel very uncomfortable. Thanks for any feedback!

 

[Albertinho]

Stay on the Coastal till Vigo and than to Redondela and from there on the Central to Santiago
No problems then

 

[roving_rufus]

One further question - how are you on bridges?

 

[Rebekah Scott]

this will offer you some opportunities to gently and safely face down your fear and move beyond it.

 

[Doogman]

Having a fear of heights myself, there are only two places that I can recall. The first is in Porto itself. Crossing the upper bridge can be a bit scary, but it is well worth it for the view. The second was crossing the bridge between Valenca and Tui on the central route. I just focused on the far side and kept moving. The Portuguese routes are wonderful. You will enjoy it.

 

[Albertinho]

One further question - how are you on bridges?

I have no problems with height

Was on the Empire state building, the twintowers in Kuala Lumpur and the Sugar Bread mountain in Rio de Janeiro. Very nice sights

 

[Lightfeet]

Thank you. I'm NOT good on bridges, if I'm walking near the edge, and especially if there are cars. If it is a bridge with cars, how possible is it to take a taxi over it? I'm not at all adverse to doing that in place of being extremely anxious. By the way, this is my first Camino.

 

[roving_rufus]

Thank you. I'm NOT good on bridges, if I'm walking near the edge, and especially if there are cars. If it is a bridge with cars, how possible is it to take a taxi over it? I'm not at all adverse to doing that in place of being extremely anxious. By the way, this is my first Camino.

There are a couple of bridges on the Coastal that might cause issues if you aren't good with heights - the bridge at Matosinhos, the bridge at Viana do Castelo and if you head inland at Caminha to Valenca, then the bridge between Valenca and Tui. It might be worth using Google maps and its streetview to have a look at these to see if they are problematic for you. They tend to be longer bridges as they are often over rivers in their tidal sections and can take a bit of time to cross. I would think they could be crossed using buses or taxi as most of them are in urban areas

 

[Lightfeet]

Thanks so much! This makes me feel better knowing what to expect and that I can probably take taxis or bus.

 

[surya8]

No cliffs as no mountains on either Central or Coastal from Porto. Yes, some bridges to cross on both ways. Many people start their walk in Porto from Matosinhos, just before the bridge but you could take the metro further if you want and start in Vila do Conde. I think it could be possible to take taxis over all/most of them. Or to find another fellow pigrim, grab him/her by the arm, close your eyes if you must and just trust the universe You may not be/walk alone even if you start alone. I once walked for about a couple of hours with my eyes closed and almost asleep while being guided by another pilgrim that I met on the way Camino provides

 

[Stellaluna]

In June planning to start in Porto and follow the Senda Litoral and combine with the Coastal Route and possibly the Central. Having a fear of heights, is there anything I should be concerned about? Even being on a fairly wide path, if there is a cliff at the edge, I feel very uncomfortable. Thanks for any feedback!

Me too!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I have a fear of heights, too, but did fine i
On the Portuguese bridges. I mostly just looked ahead and with the special designated walking areas with guardrails and away from the cars I did good. I would not have needed a taxi and I think you should be fine, as well!
Bom Caminho!