starting my walk out of the metro at ville do conde porto,

[jimtrabulsi]

hi, i will taking the B express out to the the metro in villa do conde where i will be starting my walk on sept 2., it will take me over an hour to walk to the closest intersection with the path at N306 and N309. I goggle mapped this info. with the help of PRs maps. does this sound right? I will be using the csj guide and some sketchy maps downloaded from the amigos of the camino, its my first walk and i want to get off to a good start. csj say the path is well marked but a thread here says he got lost starting from the vila do conde and would not recomend it. any suggestions apericate, thanks, jim also any suggestions on war,weather clothing?

 

[sulu]

Hi, welcome and bom caminho!
If you are getting the metro to Vila do Conde I would suggest that you walk to Rates, not Vilarinho. When I walked, last October, there were roadworks coming out of Vila do Conde but the 'metro' was almost on the end of these, I'm not sure if that is the stop you have in mind. you need to walk parallel to the river, there were almost no signs until you get to Arcos, then there are loads.
As i said you should walk on the road, parallel to the river, go through Tourginha and continue straight along the road until you come to a very narrow bridge to the right, cross the bridge, then bear left and follow the road up to San Simao, continue straight, cross a road and you will see signs for Arcos, follow those and you will come to arrows!! It must be about 10 kms from Tourginha to Rates.
Good luck, of course it may have better signs now and the construction site should have gone

 

[Harette]

Thanks for this information as I am thinking of starting my walk in October via this route.
I am wondering whether it is possible to buy an inexpensive mobile phone in Portugal which is usable in both Portugal and then in Spain? Or indeed, the best phone solution as I do not have an unlocked mobile I can bring from home?

 

[katiawt]

hi, i will taking the B express out to the the metro in villa do conde where i will be starting my walk on sept 2., it will take me over an hour to walk to the closest intersection with the path at N306 and N309. I goggle mapped this info. with the help of PRs maps. does this sound right? I will be using the csj guide and some sketchy maps downloaded from the amigos of the camino, its my first walk and i want to get off to a good start. csj say the path is well marked but a thread here says he got lost starting from the vila do conde and would not recomend it. any suggestions apericate, thanks, jim also any suggestions on war,weather clothing?

I will walk from Porto either, but I always go to the Vilar do Pinheiro station, and then walk trough Vilarinho ( it´s near) to Rates. All the way is marked and you will meet some pilgrims in the metro that will walk this way.
John Brierley describes it:
"Metro to Vilar do Pinheiro and pick up the waymarked route in Mosteiró (1.1km).Popular alternative ...Note that the metro line is from Trindade in direction of Póvoa de Varzin. Alight at Vilar do Pinheiro and turn right out of metro and over the N-13 (600m) and turn left at T junctio to join waymarked route at café S. Gonçalo (500m) "

During september it will be hot most of the days... Rain in Galicia, probably...

 

[efdoucette]

hi, i will taking the B express out to the the metro in villa do conde where i will be starting my walk on sept 2., it will take me over an hour to walk to the closest intersection with the path at N306 and N309. I goggle mapped this info. with the help of PRs maps. does this sound right? I will be using the csj guide and some sketchy maps downloaded from the amigos of the camino, its my first walk and i want to get off to a good start. csj say the path is well marked but a thread here says he got lost starting from the vila do conde and would not recomend it. any suggestions apericate, thanks, jim also any suggestions on war,weather clothing?

I will walk from Porto either, but I always go to the Vilar do Pinheiro station, and then walk trough Vilarinho ( it´s near) to Rates. All the way is marked and you will meet some pilgrims in the metro that will walk this way.
John Brierley describes it:
"Metro to Vilar do Pinheiro and pick up the waymarked route in Mosteiró (1.1km).Popular alternative ...Note that the metro line is from Trindade in direction of Póvoa de Varzin. Alight at Vilar do Pinheiro and turn right out of metro and over the N-13 (600m) and turn left at T junctio to join waymarked route at café S. Gonçalo (500m) "

During september it will be hot most of the days... Rain in Galicia, probably...

Are these directions good to find the waymarking? I hope to take the metro to Vilar do Pinheiro and join the route there. Getting lost is my specialty!

 

[sulu]

I will walk from Porto either, but I always go to the Vilar do Pinheiro station, and then walk trough Vilarinho ( it´s near) to Rates. All the way is marked and you will meet some pilgrims in the metro that will walk this way.
John Brierley describes it:
"Metro to Vilar do Pinheiro and pick up the waymarked route in Mosteiró (1.1km).Popular alternative ...Note that the metro line is from Trindade in direction of Póvoa de Varzin. Alight at Vilar do Pinheiro and turn right out of metro and over the N-13 (600m) and turn left at T junctio to join waymarked route at café S. Gonçalo (500m) "

Hi efdoucette
I would second this as sound advice if you don't want to walk through Oporto. The only reason we walked from Vila do Conde is that we took the metro to Matosinhos and walked up the coast to Vila do Conde. The inland route is excellently marked, once you are on it, and the John Brierley guide, given by katiawt, should get you onto the camino easily.
bom caminho
Sue

 

[DurhamParish]

I begin the Camino Portuguese next Thursday. (My first Camino.) I'm planing to start from the Cathedral. Is there some problem that makes some pilgrims want to take the metro out of town? Not criticising, just asking.

 

[sulu]

I begin the Camino Portuguese next Thursday. (My first Camino.) I'm planing to start from the Cathedral. Is there some problem that makes some pilgrims want to take the metro out of town? Not criticising, just asking

Having not done it There were suggestions that there are major roads to contend with. Those who have done it, and posted here, have generally said that it is not a major issue. For me it had more to do with the distance to the first albergue. It's like walking in and out of any big town really, I expect. Once I start walking I just put up with what comes, where one starts is more optional I feel. enjoy your camino, wherever you start
Sue

 

[Portia1]

I walked from the coastal route to Vila do Conde. I will tell you that the metro stop at Vila do Conde is outside of town--just beyond the convent to the east. When you get off the metro head east (right as you step off) and follow the main road. You will come to a T in the road (highways really so watch it when you cross; there was lots of construction going on when I was there)--bear to the right and cross over and follow the highway. I am not at home so I don't have my references but the markings are pitiful at this point. There will be traffic circles but continue to follow the highway more or less straight. My Brierley wasn't helpful because it erroneously called one town by another name. But keep following the main highway and ask at the cafes if you are confused. You will turn to the right and find the stone bridge with a cascade to your left (just beyond a wonderful little cafe with a friendly owner). There are high stone walls here and almost no space for pilgrims. Traffic is fast. Be alert! Then keep your eye out for the Arcos signs and follow the directions. When you finally intersect with the Camino coming from the south, you will be astonished how many arrows there are! Wish I could be more specific but without my notes, sorry! We stopped at Rates and enjoyed it a lot.