I just finished the Portuguese trail, Chignecto, if you want to have any questions. We walked mid-Oct to early Nov. From Lisboa to Porto, there were barely any other folks on the road but us three, though we did meet a few people heading TO Lisboa or Fatima. The first eight days are long with 30-34 km of walking on (mostly) asphalt but with some off-road. When it was sunny, the temps were not that high (22-23°C--almost perfect walking temps) but becasue of the angle of the sun, we sweltered. And with the sweltering came flies. The walk heading into Santarum was the most brutal--there is nothing and no where to take a break. Maria from the hostel in Santarum told us that she'll drive along the road/trail to keep a watch out for pilgrims and offer them help: water, food, a rest or a ride, if they need it. Some say no and end up at her hostel in less than a happy state. Some are stocked and get there OK. Be well stocked with water and food and take breaks where you want/can. IF it wasn't sunny, it was raining. And the rain came down--we weren't sure if we were going to see an ark nearby or not!
We had a number of great days though, to walk.
As Diogo said, the biggest hill comes after Pont de Lima. It's not so bad, vertically, but because of the recent rain, the soil seems to have eroded off the path, leaving a lot of scree and rocks to manouver around. It was harder than it should have been.
I walked the French Camino last year. I think, in comparison, this one is far more challenging, if only because of the greater distances that have to be walked in order to get to a place to rest/stay and the road surfaces to walk on. Man, that's hard of the feet, legs and back!
We all agreed that the
Camino Frances would be the best Camino to start with; this one might scare some people away because it is so intense, especially if someone is walking alone.
That being said, Portugal was gorgeous, the people extremely helpful and friendly, there is more likelihood that you'll find someone who speaks English or French, the accommodations are clean and reasonably priced (esp if you were with someone; not as cheap as the
Camino Frances but the cost of food equaled that out), the food quite inexpensive and delicious (I could live on Portuguese vegetable soup!).
I would definitely walk the Portuguese trail again; it was a far different experience than the Frances was.
By the way, are you from Nova Scotia, with a tag name of 'Chignecto'?!
Bom Caminho!