Portuguese steep descents?

Jeanette & ted · Feb 8, 2022

Looking at brierleys guide it states the descent to Saxamonde on the Portuguese central route is VERY steep. This now has me quite worried! Is it tarmac, loose rubble or stones? Should I try to avoid it?

koknesis · Feb 8, 2022

If I remember correctly, it was a tarmac. No problem to get down anyway. Actually we ran that slope while chatting with a pretty Spanish lady. She started, we followed. And no, we were not that ugly to run away from us I do not have a photo from that exactly place, but I attach here from possibly similar one later after Pontevedra.

Jeanette & ted · Feb 8, 2022

Thank you. Phew that’s put my mind at ease as we’ve decided to go central route rather than coastal and I was starting to doubt our choice. Thanks again

ktchnofdngr · Feb 8, 2022

I walked the central last summer. The only really hard day, ascent/descent wise was the day I walked over the Bruja mountain. It is dirt track on the mountain, and once you start up, there is nothing until the next town. I loved the central route! Well worth walking

bobptd1234 · Feb 8, 2022

ktchnofdngr said:
I walked the central last summer. The only really hard day, ascent/descent wise was the day I walked over the Bruja mountain. It is dirt track on the mountain, and once you start up, there is nothing until the next town. I loved the central route! Well worth walking

Did you find that beds were generally available in the Albergues along the Central route?

ktchnofdngr · Feb 8, 2022

bobptd1234 said:
Did you find that beds were generally available in the Albergues along the Central route?

I didn't have issues until after Caldas de reis. Then I couldn't find a bed because everything was booked. I ended up staying at a swanky hotel in Padron, then taking a taxi back and forth to Santiago to stay with friends there (Santiago was booked as well--I panicked at that point. I'm so thankful for friends!).

At the same time, I booked all of my stays before leaving with booking.com because I knew I was sending my pack on and I was worried about how many Albergues would be open. My issue after Caldas was because I injured myself (again--has happened on EVERY Camino for me) and had to rest a couple of weeks before finishing. I was scheduled to volunteer at the pilgrims office, so I did that, then finished my last 50km.

Most of the people I walked with only booked the night before, and we're able to find beds, though.

While I didn't stay there, I met up with friends who did and ate breakfast there, so I highly recommend staying at Casa Fernanda!!!!

Ruth

Jo Ann Rademacher · Feb 8, 2022

Jeanette & ted said:
Looking at brierleys guide it states the descent to Saxamonde on the Portuguese central route is VERY steep. This now has me quite worried! Is it tarmac, loose rubble or stones? Should I try to avoid it?

I would like to add that on steep ascents/descents, zig zag your way up or down when you can. It is easier on your knees, hips, back and legs.

lt56ny · Feb 8, 2022

Jo Ann Rademacher said:
I would like to add that on steep ascents/descents, zig zag your way up or down when you can. It is easier on your knees, hips, back and legs.

Exactly the way that I do it. I don't do it going uphill but I for sure downhill. I use my poles to push off of going up and the poles in front of me to take the weight off going down.

Jeanette & ted · Feb 8, 2022

Thank you all. Definitely some good advice there that I will be using.

Vacajoe · Feb 8, 2022

bobptd1234 said:
Did you find that beds were generally available in the Albergues along the Central route?

Totally dependent upon when you are walking, so take that into account when people answer. I walked “after the season” in October 2021 and had zero issues finding beds. Albergues were mostly empty, though many were shut down for the season or due to Covid.

BobY333 · Feb 8, 2022

Casa Fernanda is a must. Also, if you have the time, I would highly recommend the Variente Espiritual. La Ruta de la Piedra y del Agua was the prettiest stretch of Camino that we have walked...and it was raining! Buen Camino!

Albertinho · Feb 10, 2022

Jeanette & ted said:
Looking at brierleys guide it states the descent to Saxamonde on the Portuguese central route is VERY steep. This now has me quite worried! Is it tarmac, loose rubble or stones? Should I try to avoid it?

Albertinho · Feb 10, 2022

A picture of Saxamonda downhill

Albertinho · Feb 10, 2022

BobY333 said:
Casa Fernanda is a must. Also, if you have the time, I would highly recommend the Variente Espiritual. La Ruta de la Piedra y del Agua was the prettiest stretch of Camino that we have walked...and it was raining! Buen Camino!

Albertinho · Feb 10, 2022

Happy memories at Casa da Fernanda and looking forward to stay with them soon ,end of March coming.

Pilgrim9 · Feb 10, 2022

Jeanette & ted said:
Looking at brierleys guide it states the descent to Saxamonde on the Portuguese central route is VERY steep. This now has me quite worried! Is it tarmac, loose rubble or stones? Should I try to avoid it?

Steep descents and unexpected wide & deep mud puddles are where walking sticks become handy. And there are never any undomesticated ones to be found in nearby woods when you need them.

alexwalker · Feb 10, 2022

On the Portuguese, don't worry about rare ascents/descents. It's mostly easy flat. Worry about the insane amount of cobblestones you have to thread on. A torture.

Jeanette & ted · Feb 12, 2022

Thank you. Love the pic . Having walked regularly in the Lake District and completed the Camino Francis (albeit a few years ago) I’m sure I can handle that descent. We once drove through Portugal and the dreaded cobblestones literally shook our wing mirror loose. I’ll be wearing sturdy footwear and definitely taking my poles.

Rachel from Seattle · Feb 13, 2022

I was worried but it wasn’t too difficult. Had to zig zag but the tarmac was firm under foot. Nothing like the descent into Molinaseca.

Jeanette & ted · Feb 13, 2022

Rachel from Seattle said:
I was worried but it wasn’t too difficult. Had to zig zag but the tarmac was firm under foot. Nothing like the descent into Molinaseca.

That’s a good comparison to compare with. I’ll put my worries away haha. The molinaseca descent was, for me, a trial of endurance.

Portuguese steep descents?

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