Porto to Santiago began April 8th 2014

[GerFol]

After an overcast weekend in Porto it was wonderful to wake up to a clear blue sky this morning and sunshine that lasted all day. Took the metro to Vilar de Pirhino as suggested by Brierley to avoid the suburbs of Porto. Walked through some beautiful countryside and pretty villages and having walked 20 KM spending the first night at the hostal in St Pedro de Rates, capacity of 50 but we are 8 this evening. Wonderful day but just a word of caution, some parts you share with traffic and roads can be narrow. The Portuguese tend to drive very fast and close to the ditch which left little room for me at times. Keep alert!!!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Have fun, and stay safe. The Camino Portugues does have some dangerous road walking in Spain, too.

 

[Camembert]

After an overcast weekend in Porto it was wonderful to wake up to a clear blue sky this morning and sunshine that lasted all day. Took the metro to Vilar de Pirhino as suggested by Brierley to avoid the suburbs of Porto. Walked through some beautiful countryside and pretty villages and having walked 20 KM spending the first night at the hostal in St Pedro de Rates, capacity of 50 but we are 8 this evening. Wonderful day but just a word of caution, some parts you share with traffic and roads can be narrow. The Portuguese tend to drive very fast and close to the ditch which left little room for me at times. Keep alert!!!

That's why Brieley mentions a detour from Porto Matosinhos to Vila do Conde alongside the Atlantic coast and from there to São Pedro de Rates. Much more relaxed and safer than through the busy suburbs as you mention.
Glad we walked the coastal detour.

 

[DurhamParish]

I should have done that also. I walked out of Porto and took the traditional route. It was dangerous, particularly on the roads that had the old stone and masonry walls. But I really would have hated to miss the fun I had at the Casa De Laura hostel in Vilarinho. One of the highlights of the trip.

 

[edumad]

In 2013 I walked from Sé Catedral in Porto down to the Ribeira (by the river) and along the riverside to the sea. The views are great, the is ample sidewalk/promenade along the river and the estuary. I then went inland after the Oil refinery (great views even there, but that might be personal taste) to meet the regular Caminho in Moreira. It is mostly uninteresting until Vairão (nice new albergue).

It is longer and might be too much for a first day. It certainly was for me, the hard surface quickly created blisters under my feet.

 

[Stephen Nicholls]

It is longer and might be too much for a first day. It certainly was for me, the hard surface quickly created blisters under my feet.

That's always a fault - walking too far on the first day. Unlike practise walks, where you can rest for two or three days afterwards, once on the camino, you really have to keep going.
I've done it twice - blisters after Day 1.
I leave for the Camino Inges in four weeks, and I have planned an easy-peasy first day of about 14 kms.
We live and learn!
Buen camino!