Transport along the way if it gets too darn hot!

[Keith SC Butler]

Hi everybody,
We arrive in the heat of July and start at Porto. we are doing the Portuguese central way. What's the best time to start walking every day and is there transport on the way incase of a literal meltdown? Would appreciate your thoughts.
Keith

 

[grayland]

Welcome to the forum

Start when it gets light to avoid the heat.

Don't short change yourself by planning to have problems.
Take it all as it comes. There will be help if you need it....but plan on just walking to Santiago with the other pilgrims and enjoying the adventure.

Buen Camino.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Walk short days rather than walk in darkness. Keep in mind that Spain cheats when it comes to its time zone, artificialy alling itself with Germany rather than its natural time zone. Hence the late nigh lifestyle, or why you don't walk in as much heat in PT.

 

[Margaret Spencer]

I have been preparing for the Portuguese route starting in Lisbon also anticipating high temperatures in August/Septemebr. Fortunately our summer was a record for high temperatures, many days in a row in the high 30's. I acted on all the hot weather advice, plenty of water, lightened my load, dampened my clothes, my hair, damped down my arms, good sun hat and sunglasses etc. started early, rests through the hottest part of the day which for us is 1-3pm. I often walked along the coast line and a quick break on the beach, walk into the sea and then set off again. I also noted the dark afternoon clouds and hoped they might rain on me which they sometimes did. Sooo good! On one extreme day I did resort to riding the local bus back to my start point. You will be fine as long as you pace yourself. Your being aware that it may well be very hot is the issue half solved. You will be ready for it and not caught by surprise. If you need to take a ride then that is just fine. It is your pilgrimage and you can do it your way. Keep,safe and happy.

 

[whariwharangi]

Local bus service information can usually be obtained from community websites.

Here are some of the long haul options.

Train

Comboios de Portugal (CP) (urban, regional, national, and international train services)
http://www.cp.pt/cp/displayPage.do?vgnextoid=87cbd5abe2a74010VgnVCM1000007b01a8c0RCRD

Buses ... this list is not exhaustive.

Autna
http://www.autna.com/es/

Renex
http://www.renex.pt/

Rede Expressos
http://www.rede-expressos.pt/

Rodoviaria do Tejo bus information
http://www.rodotejo.pt/

EBA Transporte (Transdev) (Braga)
http://www.ebatransportes.com/ - empresa

Eva Transporte (Algarve)
http://www.eva-bus.com/

Get Bus (Transdev) (Porto airport to Braga)
http://getbus.eu/index.php?seccao=2&lang=en

Metro

Metro do Porto
http://www.metrodoporto.pt/

Transportes Lisboa (Metro)
http://www.metrolisboa.pt/eng/

 

[Keith SC Butler]

Hi everybody,
We arrive in the heat of July and start at Porto. we are doing the Portuguese central way. What's the best time to start walking every day and is there transport on the way incase of a literal meltdown? Would appreciate your thoughts.
Keith

We started in Porto also, some years ago and I imagine it still makes sense to start early morning. We used to get up just before dawn broke(6am) and get brekky(but have some fruit in your bags) at our first stop and then resolved to get to our destination before the heat set in. By the same token don't get up too early as walking in the dark can be hazardous and you dont see much. My general sense of transport is that there were phone numbers posted in villages which would get you a car a d also check out the bus timetalbe and work around that. But I'm not sure what the transport services are now. Good luck, drink plenty of water and use anti dehydrating tabs, keep cool etc, and have fun. (Btw, we avoided the coastal route because we hear flying beach sand can be a nuisance.)