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I walked the Portuguese Coastal Camino in April this year, and did the section from Vila Praia de Ancora to A Guarda via Caminha on 6 April. I can confirm that the ferry wasn’t running. There’s a cafe/bar at the ferry terminal in Caminha so I went in there and asked what I could do to get across another way. The lady behind the bar told me there was a river taxi service which could take me across and that would cost seven euros, so I bought a ticket from her for that and waited. Almost immediately a regular taxi then turned up, which I got in with three other waiting pilgrims who had paid for the service, and the driver took us about five minutes’ drive away to a waiting fishing boat. We got in that and were motored swiftly across to a beach on the Spanish side, where I got out, walked up to the boardwalk, and then followed that along the coast to A Guarda. The guy with the boat even had his own stamp for the credencial, so that was a nice touch.I will arrive in Caminha ( on the 23rd of May and wonder about the ferry to go across the Minho River. I have read it has not been running since October 2022. Any confirmation of this? Any recommendations on how to deal with that river crossing? Thanks and Buen Camino.
I read on the facebook page of the original Transbordador owner that he was fed up with the officials and left the area with his ferryboat in september 2022.I walked the Portuguese Coastal Camino in April this year, and did the section from Vila Praia de Ancora to A Guarda via Caminha on 6 April. I can confirm that the ferry wasn’t running. There’s a cafe/bar at the ferry terminal in Caminha so I went in there and asked what I could do to get across another way. The lady behind the bar told me there was a river taxi service which could take me across and that would cost seven euros, so I bought a ticket from her for that and waited. Almost immediately a regular taxi then turned up, which I got in with three other waiting pilgrims who had paid for the service, and the driver took us about five minutes’ drive away to a waiting fishing boat. We got in that and we’re motored swiftly across to a beach on the Spanish side, where I got out, walked up to the boardwalk, and then followed that along the coast to A Guarda. The guy with the boat even had his own stamp for the credencial, so that was a nice touch.
It will be interesting to see what happens as the Portuguese Coastal Route gets more and more popular. I was able to get across quickly using the current river taxi service but if the number of pilgrims grows significantly one wonders whether that will be enough to service them getting across the river. You can imagine the situation eventually developing where there will be large numbers of people sitting at the terminal waiting around for taxis. As it was I felt fortunate I got to the terminal when only four or five other people were waiting to get across. The local authorities will probably have to look at finding a way to reinstate the former ferry service at some point as a way to manage the number of pilgrims trying to get across the Minho.I read on the facebook page of the original Transbordador owner that he was fed up with the officials and left the area with his ferryboat in september 2022.
The watertaxi saw the opportunities and since then they operate the ferryservice.
Since the first time I crossed the river in 2014 there always was something.
The engine of the transbordador was broken and was out of service for over a year.Then the river was too shallow and the transbordador could not sail in 2015 so we used the service of the fisherman.
The only time I have seen the transbordador sailing was in May 2019 when we had a stop at the quay of the ferry . However we did not cross the river but waljed the e opista to Valença to get on the central route to Santiago
It will be interesting to see what happens as the Portuguese Coastal Route gets more and more popular. I was able to get across quickly using the current river taxi service but if the number of pilgrims grows significantly one wonders whether that will be enough to service them getting across the river. You can imagine the situation eventually developing where there will be large numbers of people sitting at the terminal waiting around for taxis. As it was I felt fortunate I got to the terminal when only four or five other people were waiting to get across. The local authorities will probably have to look at finding a way to reinstate the former ferry service at some point as a way to manage the number of pilgrims trying to get across the Minho.
every problem brings new profit opportunities for the locals.It will be interesting to see what happens as the Portuguese Coastal Route gets more and more popular. I was able to get across quickly using the current river taxi service but if the number of pilgrims grows significantly one wonders whether that will be enough to service them getting across the river. You can imagine the situation eventually developing where there will be large numbers of people sitting at the terminal waiting around for taxis. As it was I felt fortunate I got to the terminal when only four or five other people were waiting to get across. The local authorities will probably have to look at finding a way to reinstate the former ferry service at some point as a way to manage the number of pilgrims trying to get across the Minho.
Hi Rick. As you approach Caminha the trail splits. You can go under a tunnel which takes you into Caminha and the ferry or carry on along the coast. If you carry on along the coast at the estuary there are two cafes next to each other. When you get there phone this guy. He will drive down and take you across. He likes to have 3 or 4 people and charges about 5 euros per person. He was recommended to me by the hosptialera in the alberque in Viana do Castelo when i found out that the ferry was not running. He literally puts out on the beach and goes back. Buen Camino VinceI will arrive in Caminha ( on the 23rd of May and wonder about the ferry to go across the Minho River. I have read it has not been running since October 2022. Any confirmation of this? Any recommendations on how to deal with that river crossing? Thanks and Buen Camino.
I did it last week and it was absolutely no problem. Private boat. Young guy saw me coming pointed me in direction of ticket office. 6 euros and we set off immediately as there were 6 pilgrims ready to cross. Couldn't have been easierWe are walking from Ancora to Caminha tomorrow, May 6th and keeping fingers crossed everything goes smoothly to get to A Guarda. Appreciate the above information to help guide us.
Rick
Hi I took the boat 2 days ago. Booked via app. They confirmed via whatsapp and were very helpful. It crossed on time. The whole procedure ran very smoothly. No need to lose sleep on thisthe original “Transbordador “ ferry between Caminha and A Guarda stopped being in service since last year September.
there is a watertaxi https://xacobeotransfer.com/pt/home_pt/
And if they do not sail, go to the restaurant of the Marina in Caminha and find the fisherman, I thought his name was Mario.
in some threads on this forum his name and phonenumber was mentionned.
For me it was too long ago that I was set over by him.
Alternative is walk on along the Minho river To Vila Nova de Cerveira where is the international bridge and walk back about 15 kms to A Guarda or walk on for 15 kms to Valença do Minho where you hit the central route to Santiago .
both lead to where you want to go to .
Adhemar78...thanks for this info. My wife and I will be walking the CP next August, and I was just researching how to cross from Caminha to A Guarda. I noticed from Google that a ferry operates for the crossing, but not on a Monday (of course...we'll be needing a Monday crossing). Reading this set of posts it seems the Google information might be outdated (with the 'established' ferry no longer operating). Hence, your post on securing a 'private' ferry is most valuable. Thank you!I walked the Portuguese Coastal Camino in April this year, and did the section from Vila Praia de Ancora to A Guarda via Caminha on 6 April. I can confirm that the ferry wasn’t running. There’s a cafe/bar at the ferry terminal in Caminha so I went in there and asked what I could do to get across another way. The lady behind the bar told me there was a river taxi service which could take me across and that would cost seven euros, so I bought a ticket from her for that and waited. Almost immediately a regular taxi then turned up, which I got in with three other waiting pilgrims who had paid for the service, and the driver took us about five minutes’ drive away to a waiting fishing boat. We got in that and were motored swiftly across to a beach on the Spanish side, where I got out, walked up to the boardwalk, and then followed that along the coast to A Guarda. The guy with the boat even had his own stamp for the credencial, so that was a nice touch.
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