Plans for 2017...

[Alex Krizel]

Greetings all.

First post here.

I hope to walk the Portuguese Way in 2017.
I was wondering who here has done it and what advice you can give.

I was planning on October.
I wanted to start in Porto and end at SdC (obvees).
Reason for October?
Less people.
Also, I am not a fan of heat, so summer is out for me.

Is this a good time to go?
What should I know for the trip?
I am thinking of taking 2 weeks from work, and leaving on a Saturday and returning on a Saturday.

Any advice would be very appreciated.

Thank you all!

Alex

 

[dfborg]

Hi Alex , welcome to the forum, October is a great month to walk and 2 weeks is lots of time to get to Santiago from Porto. I would recommend either taking the metro to Matosinhos or start at the cathedral make your way to the river Duro and follow it to the sea then head north. Are you taking the costal or the inland route? Whatever route you take, there won't be a fraction of the pilgrims you'd find on the Frances. There are a lot of posts on the Portuguse Way here that you can use for research
Bom Caminho

 

[amourier]

Hi Alex and let me also welcome you to the forum.

I've been leading tours on the Camino Português for several years now. I've been on the Way during Spring, Summer and Fall. Just this past July I lead a group of pilgrims to Santiago for the St. James Day Celebrations. And in 2017 I will be leading a group on the coastal route during Semana Santa (Easter Week) which will arrive in Santiago on the Saturday before Easter.

Portugal has a beautiful climate and the temperatures are moderate even during the summer. Spring is lovely because everything is beginning to bloom, the grapevines are filling in with leaves and the beginnings of the grapes. Summer brings bountiful flora and not such overwhelmingly hot temperatures. And Fall is delightful as well, with the harvest in full swing. No matter which season you choose, I can guarantee there won't be many other pilgrims on the trail. The Camino Português is far less crowded than the Camino Francés, which in my humble opinion makes for it to be a much more spiritual Camino.

If you have any specific questions feel free to message me. I will be happy to answer your questions.

Arlène

 

[Alex Krizel]

Thank you for your replies.
I hope to do more research in the upcoming months and if it looks like I can undertake the journey, I'll start saving for it.
Is there a guidebook for the portion from Porto to Santiago de Compostela?
Having never done anything of this magnitude, I am thinking of where to stop along the way, food, water, etc.
Also, how much money is involved for a 2 week journey (to cover lodging food, etc.).
I'm hoping October is pretty dry.
I plan to take along a 30L pack with clothes and some odds and ends.
Any suggestions would be most welcome and appreciated.
Thank you again.

Alex

 

[Camembert]

Thank you for your replies.
I hope to do more research in the upcoming months and if it looks like I can undertake the journey, I'll start saving for it.
Is there a guidebook for the portion from Porto to Santiago de Compostela?
Having never done anything of this magnitude, I am thinking of where to stop along the way, food, water, etc.
Also, how much money is involved for a 2 week journey (to cover lodging food, etc.).
I'm hoping October is pretty dry.
I plan to take along a 30L pack with clothes and some odds and ends.
Any suggestions would be most welcome and appreciated.
Thank you again.

Alex

When you read on this forum you will find all your answers , posted by many experienced peregrinos and peregrinas.
In the various subforums you'll find information about the many ways, leading to Santiago from Portugal.
In the subforum "resources" you can download Johnny Walker's guide,with the experiences of pilgrims written by forummember @peregrina2000 aka Laurie Reynolds .please make a donation for this excellent work before downloading.
At Ivar's webshop here on the forum you can buy John Brierley's guide ,camino Portugues. I thought by ordering this book you get a free credential to collect your stamps you need to get a Compostela certificate in Santiago and to get access to pilgrim albergues.

In the subforum albergues ,hostals, hotels and private lodging you can read about this matter .
Beside this forum you'll find everything about all above mentioned in the guides of Johhny Walker and John Brierley. You will allways find a bed.
Everywhere on the caminho are restaurants, bars, paderias(panaderias in Spain) where you can buy your food,drinks etc.
Only on the stage Ponte de Lima to Rubiães it is advised to take some food and top off your water because partly it is an accending and decending off road stage.
Furthermore about this there is no bother.

On the subforum equipment you can read about backpacks, inventorylists of what you need or not need. Thousands of usefull postst.

Happy reading on this forum and bom caminho