Viana Do Castelo to Ponte de Lima

[paulpetersonCA]

Starting my Camino next month leaving Porto on the Coastal, and want to see Viana do Castelo. I'm considering walking to Ponte de Lima to hook up with the Central route. I can't seem to get a sense from any maps, guides or other sources what that specific segment would look like. Is it all roadside? Is there anything scenic between the two towns?

 

[naplesdon]

I have never done it but there have been other treads on the Forum that discussed the route. I don't remember anyone ever remarking about anything scenic on the route and apparently it does involve some road walking.

 

[trecile]

On mapy.cz I see that there is a trail beside the Rio Lima. It's about 30 km between the two.

Ecovia do Rio Lima / Walking

On the banks of the Lima River, the ecotrail stretches about 70 kilometres through the municipalities of Viana do Castelo, Ponte de Lima, Ponte da Barca and Arcos de Valdevez. Rural roadways beside rivers, through meadows, past fishing points along the lamprey spawning grounds and wooden...

www.portuguesetrails.com

 

[paulpetersonCA]

On mapy.cz I see that there is a trail beside the Rio Lima. It's about 30 km between the two.

View attachment 175573

Ecovia do Rio Lima / Walking

On the banks of the Lima River, the ecotrail stretches about 70 kilometres through the municipalities of Viana do Castelo, Ponte de Lima, Ponte da Barca and Arcos de Valdevez. Rural roadways beside rivers, through meadows, past fishing points along the lamprey spawning grounds and wooden...

www.portuguesetrails.com

Thank you! That looks perfect. My fear was having to walk along busy roads for an entire day.

 

[BROWNCOUNTYBOB]

My brother and his wife hiked the Central route from Porto in 2022. They raved about Ponte de Lima. I wanted to experience the Coastal route from Porto for several days last fall. I hiked to Viana do Castelo and was optimistic there was a crossover route to Ponte de Lima. I was exhausted by the long walk and the heat by the time I arrived in Viana do Castelo. And for some reason my backpack transport service did not travel between VdC and PdL. The only option was to send my backpack via taxi. So I gave up and took the taxi also to PdL. I felt a bit guilty but enjoyed the longer rest day in Ponte de Lima. Bob

 

[SparkyBridie]

Starting my Camino next month leaving Porto on the Coastal, and want to see Viana do Castelo. I'm considering walking to Ponte de Lima to hook up with the Central route. I can't seem to get a sense from any maps, guides or other sources what that specific segment would look like. Is it all roadside? Is there anything scenic between the two towns?

Very interested in replies to your query. Planning to walk the coastal route next year and revisit Ponte de Lima. Bom caminho!