Preparing for a spiritual pilgrimage in Portugal: Tips for staying warm and dry on a budget

[Gareth2024]

January 14-31 Flights to Lisbon booked. Planning on taking train to Porto and starting on Jan.15. Then figuring out transportation back to Lisbon.

First-timer traveling from the US, know very little about the Camino specifically, mostly the lore, but this my best opportunity. I know it's not the ideal time of year, so I expect for there to be some issues. Any recommendations, fellow travelers, packing tips are welcome.

Will try to find clothing that is waterproof and enough layers if it gets cold. Will be packing light.
Main thing is that I'm on a budget, so I would like to stay at albergues.

I'm fluent in Spanish/Italian/French and grew up in Italy and France so pretty resourceful although new to hiking and Portugal.
Very excited and a little nervous but this is my time for a spiritual pilgrimage. Any recommendations, advice is much appreciated.

Muchas gracias,
Gareth

 

[mspath]

Welcome to the forum!

You must be very excited since you soon will be on your way.

To help with your planning do check out this recent thread by fellow forum member Jungleboy. He discusses in detail the Camino Portugese from Lisbon to Porto and Santiago.

Portugal can be cold in winter. Be prepared with lightweight but warm layers which can easily be added or removed while walking. Here are a kit list and tips from the viewpoint of a woman who often walked in late autumn/winter wearing layers.

Bom caminho!

​

 

[ElCee]

Congratulations! I’m so excited for you! I was relatively inexperienced for my Porto to SdC this October and didn’t want to invest in a lot of expensive equipment. Are you equipped?

 

[jungleboy]

January 14-31 Flights to Lisbon booked. Planning on taking train to Porto and starting on Jan.15.

Bom caminho!

Then figuring out transportation back to Lisbon.

There is a direct bus to Lisbon from Santiago, or a train via Vigo and Porto.

I'm fluent in Spanish/Italian/French and grew up in Italy and France so pretty resourceful although new to hiking and Portugal.

Some language tips for when you're in Portugal. Firstly, spoken Spanish and Portuguese are probably further apart than you would think. Portuguese people speak better English than Spanish (in general their English level is high, on par with Belgium and much higher than France/Spain/Italy), and they don't like to be spoken to in Spanish as if it were their language (Spain and its predecessors have basically invaded or thought about invading Portugal pretty much at least once a century for the last 1000 years, so it's understandable that the Portuguese don't love the Spanish or their language). So my recommendation is to try English first, and if that doesn't work, then ask if the person speaks Spanish or (for elderly people) French before launching into those languages.

 

[Antnix1]

You might already have everything you need. The main skill will be ensuring you don't overpack. Aim for maybe 5kg and see how that goes.

One way avid hikers spend a lot of money is they carry high-tech, lightweight everything. You could spend €1000 on a sleeping bag, for example.

Another way to keep the weight down is to not carry what you don't need.

You mentioned waterproof clothes and well, there are a thousand threads already here recommending everything from waterproof trousers to scuba diving gear including the snorkel. A raincoat or poncho is probably sufficient. Albergues have showers, washing machines and tumble driers that will make you feel better after a long, wet day. Avoid cotton as it's bulky, doesn't dry easily and creases.

Depending on your priorities, it can be nice to have some clothes that don't look like hiking gear (e.g. black polo rather than olive) to wear in the evening.

Try to bring a decent backpack, ideally a reputable brand. Same for hiking boots (low boots are best IMO). Just avoid bringing a pair of trainers that provide no protection against wet weather as your main walking shoes. Many people would recommend also bringing a second, light pair of footwear which you can wear in the evenings.

 

[Kirkie]

January 14-31 Flights to Lisbon booked. Planning on taking train to Porto and starting on Jan.15. Then figuring out transportation back to Lisbon.

First-timer traveling from the US, know very little about the Camino specifically, mostly the lore, but this my best opportunity. I know it's not the ideal time of year, so I expect for there to be some issues. Any recommendations, fellow travelers, packing tips are welcome.

Will try to find clothing that is waterproof and enough layers if it gets cold. Will be packing light.
Main thing is that I'm on a budget, so I would like to stay at albergues.

I'm fluent in Spanish/Italian/French and grew up in Italy and France so pretty resourceful although new to hiking and Portugal.
Very excited and a little nervous but this is my time for a spiritual pilgrimage. Any recommendations, advice is much appreciated.

Muchas gracias,
Gareth

I wish you you all the best. You could pm @jungleboy, with very specific questions, as he is a pro on all things Portugal, and is ultra responsive.
You have two main points - practical, and spiritual. The second one is your personal, interior journey. I will try to remember to keep a metaphorical candle lit for you. No real candles any more, I forget to blow them out!

 

[AnaRosario]

Welcome to the forum!

You must be very excited since you soon will be on your way.

To help with your planning do check out this recent thread by fellow forum member Jungleboy. He discusses in detail the Camino Portugese from Lisbon to Porto and Santiago.

Portugal can be cold in winter. Be prepared with lightweight but warm layers which can easily be added or removed while walking. Here are a kit list and tips from the viewpoint of a woman who often walked in late autumn/winter wearing layers.

Bom caminho!

​

I would verify you have albergues OPEN during this time of year, along this Camino…1st and foremost

 

[WalkingPlaylist]

Steve and Stephanie's 2019 Camino de Portugues Journal : About : Trail Journals, Backpacking and Hiking Journals

trailjournals.com

feel free to read our journal or others who have made it. It will give you an idea of the services, religious aspects, terrain, etc. of the journey. Best of luck!

 

[Philtration]

I highly recommend the Altus slicker (it's not really a poncho!), available here from Casa Ivar, or other places online. It's a little late for shipping, but you may be able to pick one up elsewhere. I wore one walking the Frances during the storms/flooding in Oct and Nov. For the 3 weeks I was walking, it rained every day but two! I was amazed how easy it was to get on and off while walking, and how flexible it was. Hope your camino goes well!

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Tip: If you order the "young pig", ask them to carve it for you first and not bring out like, a young pig. So yummy. Buen camino!