Blake Beard
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Portugués
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1: Keep hydrated
2: Don't think of it as a race, plan enough days to sight see without feeling hurried to get to your next stop
3: wear a hat to shield from the sun
4: protect your feet, I used a brand of sock recommended to me on here called "Wright" I did not have one blister!!
5: Do test hikes, nothing will prepare you for cobblestone streets but, if you do some long distance hiking before you go itll give you a sense how long you can go each day. (my first 2 days consisted of about 30K and that was about my max
6: Bonus: Carry cash with you, not every café along the way will accept Debit or Credit cards. I carried about 100 euros and was fine with that amount.
The food and drinks are greatness. While in northern Portugal make sure you try the Vinho Verde wine. Its refreshing after a long walk. I found that most locals in Galacia drink beer. My fav over Estrella was the 1906 Especial.
Very correct about the bread and olives they are a couple euros extra. Padron peppers are a must try! Bacalao is a Cod fish that is in about every restaurant along the way. I suggest giving it a try, almost everytime it is served with fries and rice so itll fill you up for the next day!!
Which Wrightsock did you use? The anti-blister, double or the regular one? They look great!Awesome! Not sure what the weather will be like in Oct but My 5 tips are:
1: Keep hydrated
2: Don't think of it as a race, plan enough days to sight see without feeling hurried to get to your next stop
3: wear a hat to shield from the sun
4: protect your feet, I used a brand of sock recommended to me on here called "Wright" I did not have one blister!!
5: Do test hikes, nothing will prepare you for cobblestone streets but, if you do some long distance hiking before you go itll give you a sense how long you can go each day. (my first 2 days consisted of about 30K and that was about my max
6: Bonus: Carry cash with you, not every café along the way will accept Debit or Credit cards. I carried about 100 euros and was fine with that amount.
hope this helps!
Congratulations! I'm really jealous of the food! Next time I do Portugal!I Just finished my first Camino from Porto to Santiago! I want to thank anyone who gave me advice on here! Everything helped. I did the coastal route up until Vila do Conde then went inland to join the Central route and it was amazing!! Id be happy to offer any help or tips to anyone who'd like. Id just like to give back like the ones that helped me!!
I used the antiblister double. It worked well with my trailrunners I wore. Cant recommend them enough.Which Wrightsock did you use? The anti-blister, double or the regular one? They look great!
Congratulations! I'm really jealous of the food! Next time I do Portugal!
Agreed!! One of the coolest historical sites is in Padron. It sits behind the old armory on top of the hill. You cant miss it. If you make you way around the back of it youll find a big pile of rocks with a cross on it. It designates the spot where St. James gave a sermon. Not to many people know its there. If you use the John Brierley guidebook he uses it for the cover of the book. I snapped this picture when I found the siteIf you appreciate food and Caminos, you can't miss the Portuguese route. It is beautiful, historical and delicious!
I snapped this picture when I found the site
Congrats, Blake! It is indeed a great route and an awesome achievement!
I walked last year and fell in love with Portugal.
These are very good tips indeed
I totally second number 4 and 5 - I wore very cushioned trail runners to help avoid the impact of cobblestones. Another tips as well:
1) If you go to restaurantes in Portugal, politely refuse all the "extras" they start bringing to the table (such as bread, olives, dips, etc). They are not included in the dishes price and you may end up with a much higher bill than expected. "Nao precisa, obrigado" (pronounced 'Noun Prey-ceesa, obreegadow") means "no need, thanks".
2) After you cross the bridge from Portugal to reach Spain, remember they do the siesta on most Spanish cities. EVERYTHING closes from 2pm to 5pm. Then they re-open until late.
3) Food is brilliant, even on the cheap Menu del Dia options. Try Port wine and Francesinha (a croque monsieur on steroids) in Porto and Pimientos de Padrón (peppers) in Caldas de Reis or Padrón. Also try Pastel de Nata, available everywhere in Portugal. I tried the latter about 25 times while I walked, as I wanted to be really sure about liking it. I think i do, but I may try again to be sure
Good job!! How did you find the route from Villa do Conde back to central? I’ve read different views. Thank you and Bom Caminho!I Just finished my first Camino from Porto to Santiago! I want to thank anyone who gave me advice on here! Everything helped. I did the coastal route up until Vila do Conde then went inland to join the Central route and it was amazing!! Id be happy to offer any help or tips to anyone who'd like. Id just like to give back like the ones that helped me!!
Very cool! I leave in two weeks starting in Lisbon. Can’t wait!!Agreed!! One of the coolest historical sites is in Padron. It sits behind the old armory on top of the hill. You cant miss it. If you make you way around the back of it youll find a big pile of rocks with a cross on it. It designates the spot where St. James gave a sermon. Not to many people know its there. If you use the John Brierley guidebook he uses it for the cover of the book. I snapped this picture when I found the site
I used the antiblister double. It worked well with my trailrunners I wore. Cant recommend them enough.
Hello!Blake, great! Congrats! Forever your memory of a wonder walk.
Do you know the name of the town/albergue that is a few days from O Porto.
It ls a two story new Albergue. Has washer and dryers in small room in the rear. Down stairs was couch in a common area.
This place was locate located to a church. At the intersection of a major highway.
When leaving this Albergue you had to turn right. Go down the highway for a bit, then turn right on the highway.. Then down to your left.
The intersection is a "T" down the street from the alberque
Across the street was a very good place to eat.
I have been trying to recall the name of this town/Albergue ?????
Do you know the name of the town? Albergue??
Thanks
It was waymarked well so I didn’t get lost. But it was mostly on asphalt and city roads til you got passed AcrosGood job!! How did you find the route from Villa do Conde back to central? I’ve read different views. Thank you and Bom Caminho!
Rosemary
How many days did it take you? What was your itinerary? Did you stay in albergues or private accommodation.
Hello!!Hi there, thanks for posting all this info, I am in gathering information mode! I have a couple of questions to ask if you don't mind. Did you take the aqueduct route or the river route to the central route? How many days did it take you? What was your itinerary? Did you stay in albergues or private accommodation. I am doing this route in September and am really looking forward to it!
Hi there, thanks for posting all this info, I am in gathering information mode! I have a couple of questions to ask if you don't mind. Did you take the aqueduct route or the river route to the central route? How many days did it take you? What was your itinerary? Did you stay in albergues or private accommodation. I am doing this route in September and am really looking forward to it!
I Just finished my first Camino from Porto to Santiago! I want to thank anyone who gave me advice on here! Everything helped. I did the coastal route up until Vila do Conde then went inland to join the Central route and it was amazing!! Id be happy to offer any help or tips to anyone who'd like. Id just like to give back like the ones that helped me!!
congrats! I'm doing the same thing in October. top 5 tips maybe?
Hi Blake thanks for the tips. I'm doing my second Camino in October and have decided on Tui to Santiago. Did you have any trouble with signage? And, did you deviate from the track at any stage? I've read where you can avoid some industrial areas along the way but not sure if this is marked.I Just finished my first Camino from Porto to Santiago! I want to thank anyone who gave me advice on here! Everything helped. I did the coastal route up until Vila do Conde then went inland to join the Central route and it was amazing!! Id be happy to offer any help or tips to anyone who'd like. Id just like to give back like the ones that helped me!!
congrats! I'm doing the same thing in October. top 5 tips maybe?
Hi Blake thanks for the tips. I'm doing my second Camino in October and have decided on Tui to Santiago. Did you have any trouble with signage? And, did you deviate from the track at any stage? I've read where you can avoid some industrial areas along the way but not sure if this is marked.
Congratulations - it's an amazing feeling reaching the Cathedral steps isn't it?
Lindy
If I can add to Blake’s response, I walked the Portugues last summer. There were a couple of spots along the freeway that I did not like. One in particular just south of Arcade - very busy road and the cars whizzing past - barely any room on the shoulder of the road. So be careful there. On the whole, those bad stretches were more than compensated by beautiful stretches through forests, vineyards villages and farmland. One overlook was particularly memorable. See pic.Thanks for the detailed response. One other question if you don't mind ..... Was there much road walking overall? Thanks
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