- Time of past OR future Camino
- Francis x2, Portugese x1. Norte x 1, Primitivo x 1
What are the pros and cons of the Portugese Camino central v coastal?
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Depends on the time of the yearWhat are the pros and cons of the Portugese Camino central v coastal?
After Esposende there are no boardwalks. Partly through a small forest and roadwalking to Viana do Castelo and from there you can follow the ocean side ( beira mar) or go into the hills about a km away from the beira mar but at the end both waymarked paths come together in Vila Praia de Âncora and from there it is partly walking along the ocean and roadwalking through some hamlets into Caminha where you can choose to cross the river Minho into Spain or follow the Minho river to Valença do Minho where you connect the Central route into SpainFor me, give me an inland route any day. I had some time up my sleeve last October and walked the first three stages on the Coastal route from Porto. Although breathtakingly beautiful, I got very tired of walking on a boardwalk! No idea though of how the conditions were after Esposende.
I would suggest the coastal route since that is the one I walked. The weather was (in June, 2019) exquisite except for the first day when it rained for an hour or two. Walking on boardwalks and slight inland paths at times was easy on the knees, ankles, and hips.What are the pros and cons of the Portugese Camino central v coastal?
We walked the coastal because living in Colorado we are landlocked and enjoy the ocean whenever we can.What are the pros and cons of the Portugese Camino central v coastal?
I did the same in 2018. Inland offers variety, beautiful country, challenges, and history. You would not regret it.For me, give me an inland route any day. I had some time up my sleeve last October and walked the first three stages on the Coastal route from Porto. Although breathtakingly beautiful, I got very tired of walking on a boardwalk! No idea though of how the conditions were after Esposende.
I've booked the central route. Could you tell me more about the roads you avoided leaving Porto? Is one right on the road--no separate path?We just finished central with the spiritual variant added and loved it. But we started our journey on the coastal for first two days to avoid roads out of Porto on Central Route. From the cathedral, go down to the river and hike the river to the coast. Then take a right. We hiked to Vila do Conde on the coast then joined the central at Rates.
First, the disclaimer: I haven't done both completely. I've done the first bit of the Senda Litoral (Porto to Vila ChĂŁ), accidentally wandered onto the Coastal after Vila ChĂŁ to Vila do Conde, then switched to the Central. So this isn't as much based on first hand experience as on research.What are the pros and cons of the Portugese Camino central v coastal?
Just everything I read said walking north out of porto on the Central Route would involve a lot of road walking. The suggested solution was to walk the coastal route for the first day and transfer over to the central at Vila do Conde .. That's what we did and it was wonderfulI've booked the central route. Could you tell me more about the roads you avoided leaving Porto? Is one right on the road--no separate path?
And walking this first hours along the river was one of the prettiest parts are Camino so I would suggest this alternativeJust everything I read said walking north out of porto on the Central Route would involve a lot of road walking. The suggested solution was to walk the coastal route for the first day and transfer over to the central at Vila do Conde .. That's what we did and it was wonderful
Sounds like a perfect plan! Thanks!Just everything I read said walking north out of porto on the Central Route would involve a lot of road walking. The suggested solution was to walk the coastal route for the first day and transfer over to the central at Vila do Conde .. That's what we did and it was wonderful
Thanks for your infoI would also say that whether you walk the Coastal or Central if you can fit it into your schedule ; turn left at the large sign 3km North of Pontevedra and walk the Variant Espiritual!
Beautiful walk and a boat ride.
I walked the Coastal because i love the sea!
Albertino's longer post above has very good info.
Especially about the wind on the coastal when it blows it blows (the my hair is all over the place video below comment was a joke to family as i haven't got any)
Albertino: BBC pilgrimage series is on now and has a segment at Casa Fernanda!