Lisbon to Santiago via Fatima (in Oct/Nov)

[Pathfinder075]

So i guess i should start a thread.

I was originally going to walk a hybrid of the Norte/Primitivo, but since im walking somewhat later in the year (on the advice of some of the veterans of the site), I am now in thinking it may be better to start more southerly and try and pick up some warmth for the first couple of weeks.

Their as always is a possibility that I may go a little earlier in maybe the last week of September too, but it will all come down to what i decide in about 3 weeks when i finalise my plans and buy some tickets (no backing out at that point).

I am still unfortunately quite heavy on the pack size and have not managed to get it much below 20kg. So I am currently trying to lose that much weight (from my body) so the impact on my knees/ankles is lessened.

I will keep this updated as i continue my planning.

Also does anyone know what municipal campsites will be open in October. I still plan to camp and from what i read albergues are few and far between on this route.

 

[domigee]

Hi Pathfinder!
For the details on albergues, have a look at these sites:
http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/los-caminos-de-santiago/portugues/

http://www.gronze.com/camino-portugues

Well done on trying to lose weight - I'm doing it too and it isn't easy
But as for the weight of your backpack...20 kgs! Much too heavy!
Please try and reduce it, you'd regret not to, 'onest!

 

[Pathfinder075]

Unfortunately the bedroll accounts for around 7kg (but if i go with a more compact version i might be able to get it down to 5kg, but at the expense of my ruck not being inside and the medication another 3kg, then throw in food, water, cooking, clothing and all of a sudden its heading rapidly towards 20kg. I will try and shear away stuff as best i can, but certain realities exist to make my journey hard, and they arent things i can work around per se. The ability to maybe post things ahead will allow me to offset a small amount of weight (was considering if possible posting some of the medication to Porto and another set to Santiago) , but the core items are the ones that account for the vast majority of it.

 

[domigee]

Ok I read your 'information' now so know you're planning on camping the whole way and cooking etc. My advice on weight doesn't apply then, ignore it!

 

[Sullykerry]

Hello Pathfinder:

I cycled the Caminho Portuguese from Lisbon to Santiago in September 2015. I rode both the Caminho and took side roads parallel to it while in Portugal. At Porto I took the inland route to Valenca/Tui. I decided to cycle as opposed to walking as I wanted to cover more ground, specifically to have time to sight see.

Based on my experience, I would recommend not to camp out. I did not see many opportunities to do so on the Caminho. Portugal is very hilly, especially after leaving the Tejo river plain. BTW, the first 15 kms out of Lisbon are rather industrialized and very uninteresting. Take the train to Azambuja and start walking from there. There is a very good albergue (difficult to find though) in Santarem called Hostel Santarem run by Mario Gracias. After Sanatrem, you will walk to Golega, a great little town and home to Portugal's only Nobel literature winner, Jose Saramago. If you like horses, Golega is the horse capital of Portugal.

When you reach Tomar there is another great hostel, Hostel 2300 managed by Eutimo (Tim) Sousa. Tomar is really worth exploring. From Tomar, take the bus to Fatima. If you walk it be prepared for a hilly and very uninteresting walk. After walking to Fatima, (if you elect to do so), you will marvel at how much faith the Portuguese have. Fatima and its location (middle of nowhere at the time of the apparitions) stun the senses.

The route to Fatima is well marked with blue arrows. The yellow arrows you encounter will be for the Caminho. Be aware that the Caminho (yellow) arrows are sporadic between Lisbon and Porto. You have to have a good sense of direction and anticipation. The soil is sandy and at time challenging to walk. You will also be introduced to the national tree of Portugal: the eucalyptus. It is grown in large tracts for use in the paper factories.

Again, I recommend that you drop as much weight as possible for your walk. Albergues/hostels/hotels are cheap in Portugal. Food is excellent especially if you like fish. As you move north above Porto and if you take the inland route, the diet changes to meat and pork.

Do not miss Coimbra, Portugal's first capital and home to one of Europe's oldest universities. It is on the route.

Feel free to ask more questions.

 

[Pathfinder075]

Hi thanks for the reply.

Unfortunately the whole dropping weight isnt easily possible. I have a ton of things wrong with me, with the most serious being about 30 severe allergies. Thats why i have to camp. If someone eats nuts in the albergue/hostel im staying in it could easily kill me. Add to that the fact i cant get travel insurance due to the health problems and it leaves me with a need to carry a lot of medication aside from the usual kit. In terms of treating any problems, that im not worried about.

So i have to camp, cook for myself, and try to avoid dying.

Apart from that i look forward to the trek, and taking lots of pictures.

I will have more questions, but at this point im still trying to get a route planned. Directionally its not a problem, i will be carrying a compass, and i guess as long as i keep heading north i should be fine.

 

[domigee]

Then I suggest you do lots of 'training' walks carrying your full kit. Only then will you be able to tell if it is manageable.
Buen camino.

 

[luvtraveling]

So i guess i should start a thread.

I was originally going to walk a hybrid of the Norte/Primitivo, but since im walking somewhat later in the year (on the advice of some of the veterans of the site), I am now in thinking it may be better to start more southerly and try and pick up some warmth for the first couple of weeks.

Their as always is a possibility that I may go a little earlier in maybe the last week of September too, but it will all come down to what i decide in about 3 weeks when i finalise my plans and buy some tickets (no backing out at that point).

I am still unfortunately quite heavy on the pack size and have not managed to get it much below 20kg. So I am currently trying to lose that much weight (from my body) so the impact on my knees/ankles is lessened.

I will keep this updated as i continue my planning.

Also does anyone know what municipal campsites will be open in October. I still plan to camp and from what i read albergues are few and far between on this route.

Hi Pathfinder,

I will be walking from Lisbon in late Sept, perhaps we will run into each other.

 

[Pathfinder075]

Its very possible.