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My first Camino walk - am really excited

therese Walsh

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Portuguese coastal route - Porto to Baiona on 19th September 2016
Hi All, I am a new Camino walker and due to walk the coastal route from Porto to Baiona on 19th September. Can anyone guide me on how easy it is to follow this route - are there plenty of markings/ signs? Do the hotels in each town have maps or is it better to get one before I go? It would also be good to know if I can wear my trainers or if walking shoes are better. I have booked my hotels and plan to get my luggage moved by them. If anyone has any tips in general, I would really appreciate if you could send them on

Thanks a lot
Therese
 
3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
Welcome Therese. I have not walked this route but have driven it several times and from what I could see it is well marked. There are some beautiful towns on your way through, but Caminha , Oia and Baiona were my favourites.
Bom Caminho.
 
Hi Therese, welcome to the forum! If you go to:

http://maps.me/en/home

you can download to your phone the map for the area you will be walking in. When you are offline, and arrive in town, you can zoom in and locate your hotel, supermarket, restaurants, etc.

Bom caminho!

Jill
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
Hi, Therese,
I'll be four days in front of you, and haven't ever done it before, but if you look in the search box, there has been a lot of discussion about the senda costal / litoral recently, and it seems it's pretty well marked these days.

Shoes are an intensely personal choice. Here's my two cents: I've been told the coastal routes are easy enough to do in sandals, and that there is so much concrete and cobblestones that the central route may be easier on your feet. What everyone says is hike in what feels good on your feet. I'd tried to find something lighter than my Lowa boots that my wide feet would be happy with, and after many experiments, gave up. So I'm hiking in Lowas, which my feet love. Much "more" boot than the route may require, but I'll have a lot more sole between my feet and the cobblestones, so I'm hoping that I'll feel them less.
Bom caminho!
Kari
 
Hi Therese
Bom caminho and stay safe!
 
Hi Therese. I'm Therese too!
I've been on the Camino Frances for almost three weeks in trail running shoes, and have had just one tiny toe blister. They are very comfortable and are working for me.
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
Thanks a mill everyone - great feedback and advice!
 
Enjoy Therese! i will be walking my first camino too just a few days before you. I am concentrating (and working hard) to not carry so much weight by eliminating things from my backpack and to have very comfortable shoes so i can walk to find “my way“. Buen camino!
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-

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