Suggestions for starting point north of Porto

[BarbaraW]

I am currently walking from Tomar to Coimbra and had always planned to skip Coimbra to Porto because of distances between albergues. 20 k per day is about my maximum.
My plans have had to change and I need to shave a day or two off my walk. Please can anyone suggest a suitable place to restart that is a accessible by public transport from Coimbra . I hope to be in Coimbra by about 1 pm tomorrow.

 

[dougfitz]

My wife took an Alsa bus from Coimbra to SDC yesterday. On the Porto to Santiago leg it stopped at Porto airport and went to Braga. The bus I took last week from Coimbra to Valença went out to the coast from Porto and had several stops that would put you onto the Coastal Route. We have been using the Alsa site for bookings (Alsa.com).

 

[lovelyshell]

Start in Vilar do Pinheiro

 

[CarolamS]

According to Rome2Rio you can take the train from Coimbra to Barcelos. This is two Brierley stages north of Porto on the Central Route and a very nice town. There are a number of trains available throughout the day, some direct, some with one change. Times are from 2hrs 10 mins to 3hrs 8 mins depending on which you choose.

 

[jungleboy]

According to Rome2Rio you can take the train from Coimbra to Barcelos. This is two Brierley stages north of Porto on the Central Route and a very nice town. There are a number of trains available throughout the day, some direct, some with one change. Times are from 2hrs 10 mins to 3hrs 8 mins depending on which you choose.

I think this is a great option.

 

[sarahchicago]

Having just walked the central from porto (in redondela now), I highly recommend the suggestions from @CarolamS and @jungleboy . Barcelos is a bustling, interesting town and the Camino becomes less of a harrowing walk along narrow busy roads after Barcelos.

 

[BarbaraW]

Thank you all. I could not find anywhere reasonable to stay in Barcelos tomorrow so will spend tomorrow night in Porto or in Vila do Conde then get transport to Barcelos and walk from there.

 

[Albertinho]

Thank you all. I could not find anywhere reasonable to stay in Barcelos tomorrow so will spend tomorrow night in Porto or in Vila do Conde then get transport to Barcelos and walk from there.

Your next stop after Barcelos can be Casa da Fernanda in Vitorino dos Piães, 18 kms from Barcelos
The best albergue on the entire Portuguese caminho.
Give a Fernanda a call to be shure she will have a place for you
Tel +351 914 589 521
Fernanda speaks English.
If you can not reach her, send me a PM
I have the telephone number of her husband.

 

[trecile]

Your next stop after Barcelos can be Casa da Fernanda in Vitorino dos Piães, 18 kms from Barcelos
The best albergue on the entire Portuguese caminho.
Give a Fernanda a call to be shure she will have a place for you
Tel +351 914 589 521
Fernanda speaks English.
If you can not reach her, send me a PM
I have the telephone number of her husband.

I agree that Casa Fernanda is a great stop after Barcelos.

 

[lovelyshell]

I agree that Casa Fernanda is a great stop after Barcelos.

Agreed!! Casa Fernanda is a wonderful experience but you must have a reservation.

 

[neverlost4good]

I am currently walking from Tomar to Coimbra and had always planned to skip Coimbra to Porto because of distances between albergues. 20 k per day is about my maximum.
My plans have had to change and I need to shave a day or two off my walk. Please can anyone suggest a suitable place to restart that is an accessible by public transport from Coimbra . I hope to be in Coimbra by about 1 pm tomorrow.

We just started from Viana do Castelo (take bus). Stay in the Santa Luzia albergue on top of hill. VdC has a great mall with a food court btw. Grocery store is in the mall. Get groceries down below before taxi up. There is a beautiful trail down to join Coastal route.

 

[Perambulating Griffin]

I think this is a great option.

I agree!

 

[johnhirst]

I am currently walking from Tomar to Coimbra and had always planned to skip Coimbra to Porto because of distances between albergues. 20 k per day is about my maximum.
My plans have had to change and I need to shave a day or two off my walk. Please can anyone suggest a suitable place to restart that is a accessible by public transport from Coimbra . I hope to be in Coimbra by about 1 pm tomorrow.

Hi

I have just returned from Santiago with my 15 year old son. We spent a couple of days in Porto and then got the train to Barcelos, which was easy and cheap. We walked from Barcelos to Casa Fernanda, where after and evening of food, singing and dancing; he announced it was the best night of his life!!! It was certainly fun. After that it is a straightforward and not to arduous journey up to Santiago. If you plan on Casa Fenandas, book first.

Enjoy

 

[BarbaraW]

Sadly Casa Fernanda was full, so I am staying at Casa Sagres a bit further on. Communal meal also. But yes, Barcelos was a good place to start, and I got there from Porto by 7am. Thank you.

 

[johnhirst]

Great stuff

Enjoy

 

[Joeninho]

You could also start in Braga and walk the Camino Torres, or rejoin the Central at Ponte de Lima. But it is a tough walk. Hope this helps

Bom Caminho

 

[makingtrax]

My wife took an Alsa bus from Coimbra to SDC yesterday. On the Porto to Santiago leg it stopped at Porto airport and went to Braga. The bus I took last week from Coimbra to Valença went out to the coast from Porto and had several stops that would put you onto the Coastal Route. We have been using the Alsa site for bookings (Alsa.com).

Doug r u in Portugal at present or is this an older post.

 

[dougfitz]

Doug r u in Portugal at present or is this an older post.

My wife and I are staying in Coimbra now. We have had no difficulty finding bus services. The train is a little less certain at the moment, although much more comfortable if you can get on one. The buses are a bit cramped for us.