Bernie Brunino
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- April (2017)
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We walked the coastal route in 2018 - it was amazing! We loved walking along the seashore on the boardwalk, which remained fairly consistent until we crossed into Spain. In the middle of a heatwave, the breeze off the ocean kept it perfect. Once we crossed into Spain, the boardwalk disappeared and we spent more time walking on pavement. In 2019 we went back to Santiago and walked to Finisterre. It was a little more challenging - more hills, more heat, and longer distances between amenities. Both were amazing experiences - and we can't wait to go back. We fell in love with Portugal - English was much more common, and the people were very friendly and helpful. Spain was good too - but Portugal won our hearts.If things improve over the next few months, I am considering starting in Porto and going to Santiago or maybe Finnestera. Any comments on walking this route along the coast? Thanks.
If things improve over the next few months, I am considering starting in Porto and going to Santiago or maybe Finnestera. Any comments on walking this route along the coast? Thanks.
Is this route very steep in places?We did the Portuguese route, in April 2017 and it was wonderful, we will do it again when we can,
Was a beautiful walk, and we met some truly lovely, fantastic, and interesting People
My advise "don't think about it do it"
Only in one place, from I think Ponte De Lima and Rubiaes, but I am sure some people we met said you can walk around the climb, a few extra kilometres.Is this route very steep in places?
Any comments on walking this route along the coast?
Hi Elle, I did the Camino Frances 2 years ago and would love to do the Porto to Santiago route soon. How can I check on your experience? Is there a link that I can check?@Bernie Brunino, If you like the sea, the coastal route is for you! There are lovely towns, lots of coastal paths right along the seaside, lots of forgiving boardwalk to walk upon and very few hills. We did it in the spring and loved every minute of it. We walked parts on the Senda Litoral (the path that hugs the coastline) and parts on the Coastal, when it was impractical to hug the shoreline. If you do the coastal, I highly recommend walking from the cathedral in Porto, down to the waterfront of the Douro River, and take the riverwalk all the way to the sea, and then northward to Matosinhos. So many folks take the metro to Matosinhos, and I feel they missed out on a most serene walk! If you wish to see my walk, you can click here for my Day Fifteen to start from Porto along this riverwalk.
I have done both walks, the Coastal and the Central so you can even compare the two on my website and make your decision! There are lots of discussions about the central route vs the coastal, but for me, they both offer unique and interesting features!
Buen Camino and happy planning!
Yes, @Mak Wei Seng, it was in the phrase, "click here for my Day Fifteen." I provided the link again, just click between the quotes.Hi Elle, I did the Camino Frances 2 years ago and would love to do the Porto to Santiago route soon. How can I check on your experience? Is there a link that I can check?
thank you
If things improve over the next few months, I am considering starting in Porto and going to Santiago or maybe Finnestera. Any comments on walking this route along the coast? Thanks.
We walked the Portuguese interior route in 2015, which we thoroughly enjoyed. In 2019, we walked the Portuguese Coastal route in 2019, and I must admit I did prefer the Coastal route, but are so glad we walked both of them.If things improve over the next few months, I am considering starting in Porto and going to Santiago or maybe Finnestera. Any comments on walking this route along the coast? Thanks.
I walked the CP from Lisbon to Santiago and then on to Finisteri.If things improve over the next few months, I am considering starting in Porto and going to Santiago or maybe Finnestera. Any comments on walking this route along the coast? Thanks.
Hi Mike... when you say “beach walk” do you mean hard packed by the water or deep sand and rocks or both? I’ve been looking at this route as one of my favorites to do one day. thanks for the replyI walked the CP from Lisbon to Santiago and then on to Finisteri.
The section from Porto to Santiago was my favorite. We ended up spending almost a week in Porto.
You simply can't go wrong. I would swing over to the central route about half way up the coast. The trail turned into a beach walk and that was not fun.
If things improve over the next few months, I am considering starting in Porto and going to Santiago or maybe Finnestera. Any comments on walking this route along the coast? Thanks.
I walked that "WAY in 2017 May, and it was beautiful. I had started in Lisbon and continued on to Finnis Terre.If things improve over the next few months, I am considering starting in Porto and going to Santiago or maybe Finnestera. Any comments on walking this route along the coast? Thanks.
Beautiful route but be prepared for the Atlantic storms. It was my wettest Camino of my 4 times. Walked in April 2019. Be careful as you follow the Central route out of Porto because after about 5k you need to turn off left to head for the Costal route. Miss the turn which is not well marked (as I did) and you face quite a cross country trek to reach the alburque at Lebruge. Vigo is a nightmare to negotiate in and out. Having said that it is a wonderful route.If things improve over the next few months, I am considering starting in Porto and going to Santiago or maybe Finnestera. Any comments on walking this route along the coast? Thanks.
If things improve over the next few months, I am considering starting in Porto and going to Santiago or maybe Finnestera. Any comments on walking this route along the coast? Thanks.
Be careful as you follow the Central route out of Porto because after about 5k you need to turn off left to head for the Costal route.
Better to take the river from the middle of the city.
Lovely casual walk [10km] to Matosinhos for lunch , a room and dinner.
This is the fish market where ALL who live in Porto eat.
I have only walked the central CP but as someone who lives by a beach in the UK I'd like to mention tides. You will not get much hard packed sand at high tide. Please be aware that the tide is constantly going in and out. The amount of tide will also change and the time of high/low tide alters daily. (You should find tide times online.)Hi Mike... when you say “beach walk” do you mean hard packed by the water or deep sand and rocks or both? I’ve been looking at this route as one of my favorites to do one day. thanks for the reply
thank you for the encouragement (and you are not alone; many fools recommend it) as I live in landlocked Missouri and my Pisces nature longs for the sea! Aiming for September 2021.@Bernie Brunino, If you like the sea, the coastal route is for you! There are lovely towns, lots of coastal paths right along the seaside, lots of forgiving boardwalk to walk upon and very few hills. We did it in the spring and loved every minute of it. We walked parts on the Senda Litoral (the path that hugs the coastline) and parts on the Coastal, when it was impractical to hug the shoreline. If you do the coastal, I highly recommend walking from the cathedral in Porto, down to the waterfront of the Douro River, and take the riverwalk all the way to the sea, and then northward to Matosinhos. So many folks take the metro to Matosinhos, and I feel they missed out on a most serene walk! If you wish to see my walk, you can click here for my Day Fifteen to start from Porto along this riverwalk.
I have done both walks, the Coastal and the Central so you can even compare the two on my website and make your decision! There are lots of discussions about the central route vs the coastal, but for me, they both offer unique and interesting features!
Buen Camino and happy planning!
Hola @Bernie Brunino this is exactly the section of this Camino that I intended to walk with my brother last year. Well that well made plan came to naught. But I (and I hope he) intend to return in May 2022 (all vaccinated) and complete those plans. My research agrees with above comments that the coastal sections do offer an alternative to the inland sections of the Iberian Peninsula. Buen Camino.If things improve over the next few months, I am considering starting in Porto and going to Santiago or maybe Finnestera. Any comments on walking this route along the coast? Thanks.
Hola @Elle Bieling thanks for sharing your observations. As for walking "the whole way", well many pilgrims start out with this intention but events intercede. I agree about walking the river/coastal section (from the Cathedral). I intend to use this as our day out to overcome the jet lag from the 26 hour flight. Walk out and get the metro/tram back to our accommodation base. Then on the following day again use the metro/trame to the coast. (Don't be to hard on us - I will be 73 and my brother approaching 75). Cheers@Bernie Brunino, If you like the sea, the coastal route is for you! There are lovely towns, lots of coastal paths right along the seaside, lots of forgiving boardwalk to walk upon and very few hills. We did it in the spring and loved every minute of it. We walked parts on the Senda Litoral (the path that hugs the coastline) and parts on the Coastal, when it was impractical to hug the shoreline. If you do the coastal, I highly recommend walking from the cathedral in Porto, down to the waterfront of the Douro River, and take the riverwalk all the way to the sea, and then northward to Matosinhos. So many folks take the metro to Matosinhos, and I feel they missed out on a most serene walk! If you wish to see my walk, you can click here for my Day Fifteen to start from Porto along this riverwalk.
I have done both walks, the Coastal and the Central so you can even compare the two on my website and make your decision! There are lots of discussions about the central route vs the coastal, but for me, they both offer unique and interesting features!
Buen Camino and happy planning!
Well, Buen Camino to you and cheers for your health and fitness! I hope to be walking as you do when I reach my 70th decade.Hola @Elle Bieling thanks for sharing your observations. As for walking "the whole way", well many pilgrims start out with this intention but events intercede. I agree about walking the river/coastal section (from the Cathedral). I intend to use this as our day out to overcome the jet lag from the 26 hour flight. Walk out and get the metro/tram back to our accommodation base. Then on the following day again use the metro/trame to the coast. (Don't be to hard on us - I will be 73 and my brother approaching 75). Cheers
Imagine the stories other pilgrims will have about the 690-year-old+ woman still going strong on the camino!Well, Buen Camino to you and cheers for your health and fitness! I hope to be walking as you do when I reach my 70th decade.
Oops my bad! - 7th!Imagine the stories other pilgrims will have about the 690-year-old+ woman still going strong on the camino!
I plan to mix as below:I walked the coastal route in the fall of 2016, just beautiful. Probably one of the easier routes in terms of great trail conditions, no extreme ascents and descents, no big perigrino crowds, pilgrim litter and bed races going on.The Portuguese people and food are amazing. The boardwalk Portugal built along much of the coast is spectacular. In Portugal you will find just about everyone speaks English which may be helpful if you are like me in trying your best to speak foreign languages but still just draw looks of bewilderment. I highly recommend the Variante Espiritual option between Pontevedra and Vilanova de Arousa and the boat ride up the Rio Ulla. Vigo can be a bit tricky to get through so if I did it again I would recommend taking a cab from where you are staying to a point on the outskirts. I stayed right down near the waterfront at hotel Compostela and enjoyed a nice evening at Praza de Compostela. The trek out to Fisterra makes a great ending to this Camino route. Enjoy your journey which ever route it takes.
Frank
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