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The other Camino with less cobblestones is the seaside route north of Porto. Boardwalks and cooling breezes off the ocean. A totally different one and enjoyable compared to the central route with lots of road walking on cobblestones. The spiritual variation after joining the central route is also a good one although quite a bit of initial road walking although from memory on bitumen.I've walked 4 Caminos in Portugal and could say that cobblestones need some attention, especially in the rain. I remeber I had to buy a new pair of trail runners and start the Camino the next day in the downpoor. That was some experience as it was very slippery on the cobbles, almost like skating. In dry weather they were ok though and after some days walking in the rain on different terrain the soles adjusted and they they were no longer a threat to humanityThe one camino in Portugal where there is less cobblestones is Portugues Interior, that goes mainly through the fields and forests.
I'd probably get lost on the Interior route. We had rain in Lisbon and those cobbles became smooth as glass! I had to think about every single step I took! If I were a figure skater, I could of had a lot of fun!I've walked 4 Caminos in Portugal and could say that cobblestones need some attention, especially in the rain. I remeber I had to buy a new pair of trail runners and start the Camino the next day in the downpoor. That was some experience as it was very slippery on the cobbles, almost like skating. In dry weather they were ok though and after some days walking in the rain on different terrain the soles adjusted and they they were no longer a threat to humanityThe one camino in Portugal where there is less cobblestones is Portugues Interior from Viseu, that goes mainly through the fields and forests.
yes, they look like that, although the majority on the Camino will be just one colour.Just so I know for a potential future CP, when you talk about the cobblestones, do you mean calçada portuguesa, the black and white mosaic pavements like in the photo below? Or are there different types of cobblestones on the trail?
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I remember reading how you hated the cobblestones, Elle! Thanks to your great e-books I am doing the CP coastal in October!I agree that the cobblestones need to be dealt with, especially if you are starting from Lisbon. They are everywhere, even surprisingly on country lanes. My Keens were either too worn or insufficient for my feet. I bought gel inserts along the way which helped. Consider nicely cushioned footwear and make sure they are not old!
Yes, those and everything else that's a square shape, plain, mosaic...whatever!Just so I know for a potential future CP, when you talk about the cobblestones, do you mean calçada portuguesa, the black and white mosaic pavements like in the photo below? Or are there different types of cobblestones on the trail?
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Technically, they are not cobblestones at all, which are natural, round stones. You actually will see a few roads here and there with ancient, round, stone cobblestones. The fabricated square ones that are now everywhere are called granite setts, in English. Cobblestones are a misnomer. I learned this some time ago by another forum member!Just so I know for a potential future CP, when you talk about the cobblestones, do you mean calçada portuguesa, the black and white mosaic pavements like in the photo below? Or are there different types of cobblestones on the trail?
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You will LOVE the coastal. Have a wonderful Camino! And thank you for your nice feedback. I work hard to make my eBooks as useful as possible!I remember reading how you hated the cobblestones, Elle! Thanks to your great e-books I am doing the CP coastal in October!
Thanks, not a huge fan of walking on hard surfaces, the interior from Viseu sounds good, walked the primitive ,in April, I think it may be one of the caminos with the least road walking, though if anyone knows of a better camino in respect of the amount of "hard" surface I'd be pleased to know,I've walked 4 Caminos in Portugal and could say that cobblestones need some attention, especially in the rain. I remeber I had to buy a new pair of trail runners and start the Camino the next day in the downpoor. That was some experience as it was very slippery on the cobbles, almost like skating. In dry weather they were ok though and after some days walking in the rain on different terrain the soles adjusted and they they were no longer a threat to humanityThe one camino in Portugal where there is less cobblestones is Portugues Interior from Viseu, that goes mainly through the fields and forests.
Thanks, not a huge fan of walking on hard surfaces, the interior from Viseu sounds good, walked the primitive ,in April, I think it may be one of the caminos with the least road walking, though if anyone knows of a better camino in respect of the amount of "hard" surface I'd be pleased to know,
Thanks Bill
Thanks, not a huge fan of walking on hard surfaces, the interior from Viseu sounds good, walked the primitive ,in April, I think it may be one of the caminos with the least road walking, though if anyone knows of a better camino in respect of the amount of "hard" surface I'd be pleased to know,I've walked 4 Caminos in Portugal and could say that cobblestones need some attention, especially in the rain. I remeber I had to buy a new pair of trail runners and start the Camino the next day in the downpoor. That was some experience as it was very slippery on the cobbles, almost like skating. In dry weather they were ok though and after some days walking in the rain on different terrain the soles adjusted and they they were no longer a threat to humanityThe one camino in Portugal where there is less cobblestones is Portugues Interior from Viseu, that goes mainly through the fields and forests.
The Camino de Madrid doesn’t have many hard surfaces. There’s hardly any road walking for the entire camino and there are about four days in the middle where the majority of the trail is soft and sandy through pine forests.
My feet have never been the same.This has been mentioned under different topics on this forum but i think it is worth stressing that portugal has a lot of cobblestone areas...do not underestimate them as your feet will be subtly twisting and turning ....and chose appropriate footwear which for me me was zamberlan boots with gel insoles
Thanks for that, I will look into the Camino Catalan , maybe later this year or one for next year, easy enough to fly to Barcelonia, so many caminos, ,Joining the San Salvador with the primitive is also on my to do list along with the camino that crosses from the Norte, from San Vincente de la Barquera to Mansilla de las Mulas , El camino vadiniense y Leaniego.Jungleboy is right! Camino de Madrid is intended to avoid the roads. They had also the idea to keep the ways clean of litter. Hope that also still applies.
As about everywhere in Spain hobble stone is not very common. Anyway, with different ground you will complain about other things, e.g. the dry adobe earth can be hard to your feet as well. You will also notice that loose sand which you encounter in some parts is just a another challenge while walking or cycling.
Camino Catalan from Montserrat to San Juan (via Huesca) is also not too much road walking.
And, as I’m sure @jungleboy will agree, the sound of the “tink, tink, tink” as the workers reinstall them is a indelible and not so unpleasant part of the Portuguese sound system.
I loved crossing over the bridge from Portugal into Spain because I knew that the cobblestones were ending.@design4life the cobblestone does not end until you reach Spain. If you want to have a look at my blog that shows you many photos of the way we did it, you will see how much cobblestone there is. Click here to see the beginning of our journey from Porto on the Coastal and/or the Senda Litoral. Good luck with your planning.
Thanks! I'm really enjoying your blog. Great photos and so much information on each stage. Lots to absorb.@design4life the cobblestone does not end until you reach Spain. If you want to have a look at my blog that shows you many photos of the way we did it, you will see how much cobblestone there is. Click here to see the beginning of our journey from Porto on the Coastal and/or the Senda Litoral. Good luck with your planning.
Jungleboy is right! Camino de Madrid is intended to avoid the roads. They had also the idea to keep the ways clean of litter. Hope that also still applies.
As about everywhere in Spain hobble stone is not very common. Anyway, with different ground you will complain about other things, e.g. the dry adobe earth can be hard to your feet as well. You will also notice that loose sand which you encounter in some parts is just a another challenge while walking or cycling.
Camino Catalan from Montserrat to San Juan (via Huesca) is also not too much road walking.
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