Norte vs Português Coastal?

[laelann]

Hello, we are trying to decide whether to walk the Norte starting from Irun or the Portuguese Coastal starting from Porto. My two questions in order of importance are: 1. Which route has the least asphalt? 2. Which route is the most beautiful?
Thank you!

 

[wisepilgrim]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Asphalt however is measurable, and my gut tells me the Coastal has less.

 

[David Tallan]

As wisepilgrims says, the Coastal probably has less asphalt. By the same token, it probably has more cobblestones. Ask anyone who has walked on both which they prefer.

This is not meant to recommend the Norte over the Coastal from Porto. Just to contribute to the discussion of road surfaces.