First time, Solo pilgrim on Portugal coast from Porto - seeking advice

[LUISA G]

Hi pilgrims, I am hoping to plan for El Camino this year in October is this a good time? Not too busy and crowded?
I am a First time, Solo pilgrim on Portugal coast I would be so grateful with any help planning itinerary starting in Porto. Thank you

 

[henrythedog]

Hello Luisa, and welcome.

Old-fashioned though it may be I would strongly suggest buying one of the several physical guidebooks which are available and reading it at your leisure. If you have specific questions thereafter: post them.

There are many excellent threads on that route if you go to the appropriate section of the forum, or use the search function.

 

[naplesdon]

I second Henry's advice. Later into October there maybe fewer options for finding a place to stay at night. Most of the stops on the coastal are beach resort towns and they start shutting down for the season.

 

[Maggie Y]

There is a section on a boardwalk I believe. Apologies for random comment

 

[Rickcrna]

The Village to Village Camino Portuguese guide book along with the Wise Pilgrim phone app have tons of useful information and tips concerning route, accommodations, etc. Stingynomads.com also has good information about the Camino’s. Happy planning!

 

[lt56ny]

I am a First time, Solo pilgrim on Portugal coast I would be so grateful with any help planning itinerary starting in Porto

I second Henry's advice. Later into October there maybe fewer options for finding a place to stay at night. Most of the stops on the coastal are beach resort towns and they start shutting down for the season.

I am planning to walk on the coast at the end of October as part of my kind of weird camino this year. Bayonne to Burgos via Vasco Interior, Burgos to Leon on the Meseta (love the Meseta), and then hop over to Porto and up the coast. I checked Gronze and it looks like all the albergues are open year round. Of course just because it says it, it doesn't always work that way. If the OP wants only hotels, I didn't check those.

 

[MiaBu]

Hey! I am doing it right now! If your want we can have a call next week and I tell you everything you want to know!
Kind regards

 

[LUISA G]

Thank you for this important information, I am going to change it to the first week in September and I have two weeks to reach Santiago de compostella. I welcome any advice and route recommendation. I am interested in changing to the central Portugal route wherever it is the most beautiful and peaceful route. I am in pretty good walking shape so that is not a problem. Thanks you all.
Buen camino

 

[LUISA G]

Hey! I am doing it right now! If your want we can have a call next week and I tell you everything you want to know!
Kind regards

Sounds like a plan will wait for your response when you return. Thank you
Buen camino

 

[LUISA G]

I second Henry's advice. Later into October there maybe fewer options for finding a place to stay at night. Most of the stops on the coastal are beach resort towns and they start shutting down for the season.

Thank you

 

[LUISA G]

Hello Luisa, and welcome.

Old-fashioned though it may be I would strongly suggest buying one of the several physical guidebooks which are available and reading it at your leisure. If you have specific questions thereafter: post them.

There are many excellent threads on that route if you go to the appropriate section of the forum, or use the search function.

Thank you

 

[David Tallan]

Hi pilgrims, I am hoping to plan for El Camino this year in October is this a good time? Not too busy and crowded?
I am a First time, Solo pilgrim on Portugal coast I would be so grateful with any help planning itinerary starting in Porto. Thank you

I did it in October 2018. It was a good time. I only walked along the coast for the beginning and then switched to the Central. It wasn't too crowded but it wasn't empty either. It was hot at the beginning but nicer as the Camino went on.

 

[LUISA G]

I did it in October 2018. It was a good time. I only walked along the coast for the beginning and then switched to the Central. It wasn't too crowded but it wasn't empty either. It was hot at the beginning but nicer as the Camino went on.

That sounds wonderful can you remember where you made the transition to the central and how much extra time was the trip from coastal to Central.
Thank you

 

[David Tallan]

That sounds wonderful can you remember where you made the transition to the central and how much extra time was the trip from coastal to Central.
Thank you

I made the transition to the Central from Vila do Conde to Arcos. On my first day, I walked along the Senda Litoral to Vila Chã. The second day I walked from Vila Chã up to Vila do Conde, over to Arcos, and then up to Rates where I stayed in the albergue. The first day was 27 km, but that could have been broken up with a stop at Matosinhos. The second day was 19 km.

 

[LUISA G]

I made the transition to the Central from Vila do Conde to Arcos. On my first day, I walked along the Senda Litoral to Vila Chã. The second day I walked from Vila Chã up to Vila do Conde, over to Arcos, and then up to Rates where I stayed in the albergue. The first day was 27 km, but that could have been broken up with a stop at Matosinhos. The second day was 19 km.

Thank you, greatly appreciate

 

[pam287]

Thank you for this important information, I am going to change it to the first week in September and I have two weeks to reach Santiago de compostella. I welcome any advice and route recommendation. I am interested in changing to the central Portugal route wherever it is the most beautiful and peaceful route. I am in pretty good walking shape so that is not a problem. Thanks you all.
Buen camino

I'm starting from Porto on August 31 this year, we may meet on the way!

 

[MariaE]

Hello, I walked a solo Camino last year on the Frances, starting in Ponferrada, Spain, and I loved the solitary walks, but also meeting the many nice people along the way.

This year I will be walking the Portuguese with a friend, starting from Porto on August 26th. My 14 day itinerary starts on the Senda Litoral and moves over to the Central Route at Vila de Conde, and we are also including the Spiritual way. Thank you Stingy Nomads for your detailed information
Happy to share our itinerary with you if you are interested.

Buen Camino!

 

[LUISA G]

Hello, I walked a solo Camino last year on the Frances, starting in Ponferrada, Spain, and I loved the solitary walks, but also meeting the many nice people along the way.

This year I will be walking the Portuguese with a friend, starting from Porto on August 26th. My 14 day itinerary starts on the Senda Litoral and moves over to the Central Route at Vila de Conde, and we are also including the Spiritual way. Thank you Stingy Nomads for your detailed information
Happy to share our itinerary with you if you are interested.

Buen Camino!

Yes, I would greatly appreciate

 

[MariaE]

Yes, I would greatly appreciate

 

[MariaE]

I just sent you a message with the Itinerary.