Porto to SDC starting 12th of Sept.

[micamino73]

Hi, Arriving to Porto from Dublin on the 30th of May next year. Hoping to do the Camino in 8-9 days probably fly back to Ireland 10th of June. Anyone out there doing the camino around the same time? Its my second so I pretty much know what to expect, have done Astorga to SDC 2 years ago.

 

[rickster]

Would suggest that you consider the coastal route. It is beautiful. Also, markings and accommodations are not going to be quite what you experienced from Astorga to SDC, but still very manageable. Also, 8-9 days is very possible, but would suggest if you have the time to add a day or two to enjoy the beautiful scenery and Portuguese people. Also, Porto is a great place to spend an extra day before starting.

 

[Diogo92]

You can do it in 8 or 9 days, but I think that it will be hard.

Best Regards
Diogo

 

[ausmarko]

I did Porto to Santiago in 10 days in September and found the first day out of Porto, starting at the Matsinhos bridge - after getting the metro to the second last stop (Mercado), then across the bridge and left all the
way up the coast to Villa do Conde. a lovely day - but with most coast walks, a head wind kept me at slightly less pace than I would otherwise be capable of. But lots to see and plenty of eateries along this stretch,
the coastal scenery and a couple of fishing villages etc. Depends of course on the weather and i can imagine this would be a very hard slog in bad weather.
I would have liked to continue on the coast in hindesight, as the second day inland to Rates was a bit of a slog over cobbled back roads. (I was over Portuguese cobblestones after Lisbon, Porto and the walk)
Seems there is not an asphalt surface anywhere in Portugal!! Which is why i like it, but not much fun to walk on After Rates, it got better to the overnight stop at Barcelos.
Lots of confusion at the intersection in Rates. Quite a few people headed off back to the coastal route, instead of heading on the inland route! Easy to miss the turn at the church. I saw them a couple
of days late after they had to get a taxi back to main route after a 20km detour to the coast!!
9 days would mean a couple of really long days unless you took a taxi over the worst spots (Villa do Conde to Rates for one!, but others may disagree

 

[micamino73]

I did Porto to Santiago in 10 days in September and found the first day out of Porto, starting at the Matsinhos bridge - after getting the metro to the second last stop (Mercado), then across the bridge and left all the
way up the coast to Villa do Conde. a lovely day - but with most coast walks, a head wind kept me at slightly less pace than I would otherwise be capable of. But lots to see and plenty of eateries along this stretch,
the coastal scenery and a couple of fishing villages etc. Depends of course on the weather and i can imagine this would be a very hard slog in bad weather.
I would have liked to continue on the coast in hindesight, as the second day inland to Rates was a bit of a slog over cobbled back roads. (I was over Portuguese cobblestones after Lisbon, Porto and the walk)
Seems there is not an asphalt surface anywhere in Portugal!! Which is why i like it, but not much fun to walk on After Rates, it got better to the overnight stop at Barcelos.
Lots of confusion at the intersection in Rates. Quite a few people headed off back to the coastal route, instead of heading on the inland route! Easy to miss the turn at the church. I saw them a couple
of days late after they had to get a taxi back to main route after a 20km detour to the coast!!
9 days would mean a couple of really long days unless you took a taxi over the worst spots (Villa do Conde to Rates for one!, but others may disagree

Hi. Would you happen to have the stops you took during your 10 days walk? I am doing the same. Flying from Dublin to Porto on the 12th of Sept. Hoping to arrive to SDC on the 22nd or 23rd of Sept. Flying back to Dublin on the 24th.

 

[Walker-Brother]

Did the coastal route in early September last year.
Started at Povoa de Varzim (northernmost stop on the Porto metro line).
Days were
Povoa de Varzim to Esposende
Esposende to Viana de Castelo
Viano de Castelo to Caminha
Caminha to Oia
Oia to Baiona
Baiona to Vigo
Vigo to Redondela
Redondela to Pontevedra
Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis
Caldas de Reis to Padron
Padron to Santiago de Compestela

Great route, good views, sea breezes and ample refreshment opportunities. Would recommend it.
Check out my other posts for accommodation and what have you.

Enjoy yourself!

 

[micamino73]

Did the coastal route in early September last year.
Started at Povoa de Varzim (northernmost stop on the Porto metro line).
Days were
Povoa de Varzim to Esposende
Esposende to Viana de Castelo
Viano de Castelo to Caminha
Caminha to Oia
Oia to Baiona
Baiona to Vigo
Vigo to Redondela
Redondela to Pontevedra
Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis
Caldas de Reis to Padron
Padron to Santiago de Compestela

Great route, good views, sea breezes and ample refreshment opportunities. Would recommend it.
Check out my other posts for accommodation and what have you.

Enjoy yourself!

Mapped the route out now. Seems nice. Did you have to take a ferry at some stage between Portugal and spain?

 

[Walker-Brother]

We were meant to!

Beware that no ferries run on Mondays between Caminha and La Guarda. Ended up shelling out 30 euros for a cab across the border from ferry station to ferry station (which then entailed a 4km hike back uphill into La Guarda). It would have only been 90c on the ferry.

From your dates I see you'll be landing in Caminha on a Sunday so I would make sure you're there in plenty of time for the last ferry across which I believe is 18:00 hours and spend the night in La Guarda.

Walked straight through La Guarda but got a sello in the albergue and it looked fairly nice.

Estrella Galicia is a better beer than Superbock anyway!