Getting to the Geira from the “normal” Central Caminho

[peregrina2000]

In his video today, Álvaro Lazaga said he was going to walk from Porto to Braga, and from there walk the Geira. He describes the route as going to Vila Nova de Famalicao and then the next day to Braga. In Vila Nova he was able to sleep in the Bombeiros, though it looks like there are plenty of private places to stay there too. It was a long day, 40 km, but looked flat if that helps.

His surprise was how well marked it was. Signs say “Caminho Central (por Braga).” I think the 40 km first day is likely to prevent a huge crowd from switching over to the Geira in Porto, but maybe some enterprising pilgrims can find a way to split that up.

 

[wisepilgrim]

This is interesting. If there enough people interested in this route I would be willing to do the leg work to roll it into the existing app.

The Geira app, walked by @jungleboy and Wendy last summer is about ready to go (it was delayed while I made the whatsapp helper) so this would make for a sensible pairing. Even if the Geira is too daunting, there exists the option to rejoin the Central route in Ponte de Lima directly from Braga.

Remember as well that the Via Mariana sets off from Braga too. It is a dizzying path that is anything but the shortest distance to Santiago… but it was not meant to be. It rejoins the Camino Portugués in Padrón before going to Santiago and then back out of Santiago following the camino to the coast for a few hours. It strikes its own path when it gets to Ponte Maceira and doesn’t coincide with another trail until Muxía. It is not a pilgrimage to a singular destination but rather a string of them, like walking a rosary.

 

[amsimoes]

In his video today, Álvaro Lazaga said he was going to walk from Porto to Braga, and from there walk the Geira. He describes the route as going to Vila Nova de Famalicao and then the next day to Braga. In Vila Nova he was able to sleep in the Bombeiros, though it looks like there are plenty of private places to stay there too. It was a long day, 40 km, but looked flat if that helps.

His surprise was how well marked it was. Signs say “Caminho Central (por Braga).” I think the 40 km first day is likely to prevent a huge crowd from switching over to the Geira in Porto, but maybe some enterprising pilgrims can find a way to split that up.

The Central Way through Braga was the original way to Santiago, which was maintained until the construction of the Barcelos bridge.

 

[amsimoes]

This is interesting. If there enough people interested in this route I would be willing to do the leg work to roll it into the existing app.

The Geira app, walked by @jungleboy and Wendy last summer is about ready to go (it was delayed while I made the whatsapp helper) so this would make for a sensible pairing. Even if the Geira is too daunting, there exists the option to rejoin the Central route in Ponte de Lima directly from Braga.

Remember as well that the Via Mariana sets off from Braga too. It is a dizzying path that is anything but the shortest distance to Santiago… but it was not meant to be. It rejoins the Camino Portugués in Padrón before going to Santiago and then back out of Santiago following the camino to the coast for a few hours. It strikes its own path when it gets to Ponte Maceira and doesn’t coincide with another trail until Muxía. It is not a pilgrimage to a singular destination but rather a string of them, like walking a rosary.

I with a group of three Brazilian friends (one of them over 80 years old) are going to start the caminho to Geira and Arreeiros, on the 29th of August in Braga. It will be a way to taste it and do it very slowly. Unfortunately there is only one albergue in Caldelas and Braga.

 

[peregrina2000]

The Central Way through Braga was the original way to Santiago, which was maintained until the construction of the Barcelos bridge.

Thanks, Aurelio. I see on a map that the route from Braga continues back to the “regular” central route in Ponte de Lima. Do you know if this part is marked as well as the part Álvaro walked from Porto to Braga?

And one more thing — do you know if there is a way to break up the stage from Porto to Famalicao so that it’s not a 40 km day?

Looking forward to hearing all about your Geira!

 

[amsimoes]

Thanks, Aurelio. I see on a map that the route from Braga continues back to the “regular” central route in Ponte de Lima. Do you know if this part is marked as well as the part Álvaro walked from Porto to Braga?

And one more thing — do you know if there is a way to break up the stage from Porto to Famalicao so that it’s not a 40 km day?

Looking forward to hearing all about your Geira!

Hi Laurie
I found several articles about the Central Way by Braga.

See Luis do Freixo:

http://www.caminador.es/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/LINKS.CAMINO-DE-BRAGA.pdf
and:
http://www.caminador.es/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/porto-braga-pontedelima.pdf

Visit Porto - Portugese Way via Braga

Widely used road until the first quarter of the 14th century, when Barcelos bridge is built an the Ponte de Lima bridge is renovated.

visitporto.travel

E. Caminho de Braga | O´Luis do Freixo

www.caminador.es

http://www.caminador.es/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/porto-braga-pontedelima.pdf (as you can see it is possible to break the first stage at Covelas (with hostal).

There is a albergue in Goães, located halfway between Braga and Ponte de Lima, but me, Maggie and Paul, we didn't stop at this albergue, we walked to Ponte de Lima.

 

[Gajla]

BEDBUGS IN

Albergue de Peregrinos de S. Pedro de Goães!!!​

April 2023.​