New to the Camino. Questions!

[dennis2]

Hi!
I am planning on doing the Camino Portugués on my spring break (March 7-15) from Porto or Tui(depends on how I feel about doing the whole thing in 7 days). Well, I was wondering if I will be able to find albergues during early/mid March and of I can trust that they will be open in every town. Also, how's the weather around that time? I am new to this and I might be travelling alone, what should I take according to the weather? I speak Spanish and Portugués so I will not have any issue in communicating with locals, but I am afraid I won't find where to sleep.
Thanks
*If there's anyone travelling around these dates please let me know.

 

[SabsP]

Hi!
I am planning on doing the Camino Portugués on my spring break (March 7-15) from Porto or Tui(depends on how I feel about doing the whole thing in 7 days). Well, I was wondering if I will be able to find albergues during early/mid March and of I can trust that they will be open in every town. Also, how's the weather around that time? I am new to this and I might be travelling alone, what should I take according to the weather? I speak Spanish and Portugués so I will not have any issue in communicating with locals, but I am afraid I won't find where to sleep.
Thanks
*If there's anyone travelling around these dates please let me know.

Hi Dennis and welcome here.
Do take your time to find your way on this forum.

In the right upper corner of this forum you find a search function. Do type in some keywords and you will find a wealth of information.

The Gronze website is always up to date when it comes to albergues and accomodation.

Camino Portugués Central | Gronze.com

www.gronze.com

The Portugues is getting rather popular so you will be ok regarding available places.

Happy preparation!

 

[dennis2]

Hi!
I am planning on doing the Camino Portugués on my spring break (March 7-15) from Porto or Tui(depends on how I feel about doing the whole thing in 7 days). Well, I was wondering if I will be able to find albergues during early/mid March and of I can trust that they will be open in every town. Also, how's the weather around that time? I am new to this and I might be travelling alone, what should I take according to the weather? I speak Spanish and Portugués so I will not have any issue in communicating with locals, but I am afraid I won't find where to sleep.
Thanks
*If there's anyone travelling around these dates please let me know.

I will take a train from Oporto to Tui and start from there.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Hello, Dennis, and a warm welcome to the Forum.

Here is a link which also may be of help as you begin: American Pilgrims on Camino's FAQs about a camino pilgrimage

The good news is, you are in a forum with a wonderful group of people. Most are here to help people like you to achieve their pilgrimage goals. We can offer you encouragement, knowledge, and point you in the direction that will help you help yourself.

My suggestion to start is this:

1. Make a list of questions and concerns that you have.
2. Go to the Search Engine at the top of the Forum pages.
3. Enter the words or phrase that you want more information about. You will get a huge amount of information to explore.
4. If you find that you need help with anything, post a new thread so that your question or concern can be readily seen. If you post a question within someone else's thread, you won't receive as big of a response.
5. Remember that perfect timing as it relates to how you feel, scheduling, and day to day life issues, seldom align themselves perfectly. If one waits for such to occur, doing something like a pilgrimage will always be in danger of taking a back seat while you wait for that perfect alignment to happen.

For albergue information, Gronze can be helpful. https://www.gronze.com/camino-portugues

 

[trecile]

I wouldn't attempt to walk from Porto to Santiago in 7 days! Not unless you regularly walk 40 km a day.
With 7 days, I would start in Valenca in Portugal, because it's an interesting city with an medieval walled fortress, and it's very cool to walk across the bridge into Spain. You can probably walk from Valenca to Santiago in 5 days, or if you can manage it in 4 you could walk 3 more days to Finisterre or Muxía from Santiago. I think that it's always better to build in some extra days than to have a schedule that pushes you too hard.

Check out the stages that Gronze.com recommends

Camino Portugués Central | Gronze.com

www.gronze.com

 

[trecile]

Here's a good site for planning your own stages

rutasasantiago.com - This website is for sale! - rutasasantiago Resources and Information.

This website is for sale! rutasasantiago.com is your first and best source for all of the information you’re looking for. From general topics to more of what you would expect to find here, rutasasantiago.com has it all. We hope you find what you are searching for!

www.rutasasantiago.com

 

[dennis2]

I wouldn't attempt to walk from Porto to Santiago in 7 days! Not unless you regularly walk 40 km a day.
With 7 days, I would start in Valenca in Portugal, because it's an interesting city with an medieval walled fortress, and it's very cool to walk across the bridge into Spain. You can probably walk from Valenca to Santiago in 5 days, or if you can manage it in 4 you could walk 3 more days to Finisterre or Muxía from Santiago. I think that it's always better to build in some extra days than to have a schedule that pushes you too hard.

Check out the stages that Gronze.com recommends

Camino Portugués Central | Gronze.com

www.gronze.com

Thanks Trecile! Yes, most likely I will take the train from Oporto to Tui/Valenca. 40km seems like a lot, specially being my first camino

 

[SabsP]

Thanks Trecile! Yes, most likely I will take the train from Oporto to Tui/Valenca. 40km seems like a lot, specially being my first camino

And don't underestimate those pesky cobblestones the first days out of Porto....

 

[trecile]

Thanks Trecile! Yes, most likely I will take the train from Oporto to Tui/Valenca. 40km seems like a lot, specially being my first camino

40 km is a lot, for any Camino!
One 40 km day now and then is doable, but every day is only for those who with the right experience and mindset.

 

[trecile]

And don't underestimate those pesky cobblestones the first days out of Porto....

You mean cobblestones until you get to Spain!

 

[SYates]

Hi!
I am planning on doing the Camino Portugués on my spring break (March 7-15) ... Well, I was wondering if I will be able to find albergues during early/mid March and of I can trust that they will be open in every town. ... I speak Spanish and Portugués so I will not have any issue in communicating with locals, but I am afraid I won't find where to sleep.
...

Hi and welcome to the forum @dennis2,
If you speak portugues you will be FINE as you can call ahead to make sure an albergue is open and to ask the neighbours where you can find a place to sleep. BIG advantage!
Stop worrying and get walking ;-)
BC SY