The Nuts and Bolts of walking the Camino Portugues

[Stripey Socks]

Hello Everyone
Here is my recent blog post giving the basics of walking the Camino Portuguese, including the Coastal route from Porto to Caminha to Valenca.

I hope it is of use.

https://melsonebigadventure.wordpress.com/2016/07/03/caminho-portugues-the-nuts-bolts/

Bye
Mel

 

[NualaOC]

Thanks Mel, that's a really good overview with very helpful information.

 

[angeliki louk]

Hello Everyone
Here is my recent blog post giving the basics of walking the Camino Portuguese, including the Coastal route from Porto to Caminha to Valenca.

I hope it is of use.

https://melsonebigadventure.wordpress.com/2016/07/03/caminho-portugues-the-nuts-bolts/

Bye
Mel

Thank you Mel!good job.... Very helpful information.....the portugese way is the next one that I plan to do it seems like a really nice way to walk and can't wait to be back on the way!!!!

 

[SYates]

Thanks for posting, very helpful indeed! Buen Camino, SY

 

[Stripey Socks]

Thanks Mel, that's a really good overview with very helpful information.

My pleasure. I hope it helps other walkers.

 

[Stripey Socks]

Thank you Mel!good job.... Very helpful information.....the portugese way is the next one that I plan to do it seems like a really nice way to walk and can't wait to be back on the way!!!!

Yes, it's a great walk. I would stick to the Coast all the way next time...just don't tell my husband I am planning a 'next time'!

 

[BlackDog]

Thank you, excellent information.
One problem with the Coastal route(s) is that they seem to be variable and thus the marking possibly confusing: the Senda Litoral, the da Costa (via Vigo) the da Costa (via Valenca). Open Street Maps (OSM) now has the Costa route via Vigo as the 'official' route and I have produced a gpx file for that route in order not to get lost when I walk it later this month. The Litoral is the longest as it hugs the coast line much more closely. To each his own of course

 

[Stripey Socks]

Thank you, excellent information.
One problem with the Coastal route(s) is that they seem to be variable and thus the marking possibly confusing: the Senda Litoral, the da Costa (via Vigo) the da Costa (via Valenca). Open Street Maps (OSM) now has the Costa route via Vigo as the 'official' route and I have produced a gpx file for that route in order not to get lost when I walk it later this month. The Litoral is the longest as it hugs the coast line much more closely. To each his own of course

Hmmm - yes, there are a number of different paths on the Coastal route but they are quite separate and therefore not too confusing. I guess it depends how strict you want to be in sticking to one only rather than being a bit flexible. Whichever you choose , you will enjoy some lovely scenery. Bom Caminho..

 

[Mark Francis Auchincloss]

Great summary, useful information !

 

[Mary Crnkovic Pilas]

Hello Everyone
Here is my recent blog post giving the basics of walking the Camino Portuguese, including the Coastal route from Porto to Caminha to Valenca.

I hope it is of use.

https://melsonebigadventure.wordpress.com/2016/07/03/caminho-portugues-the-nuts-bolts/

Bye
Mel

This is great! My son and I are doing the Camino Portuguese in 10 days so this is great information. Will definitely bookmark it . Just one question - I am still deciding between hiking boots and shoes. Which would you recommend for the Camino Portuguese? I had boots for the Camino Frances but the Portuguese seems a bit easier... Thanks!

 

[Utgaard]

Just one question - I am still deciding between hiking boots and shoes. Which would you recommend for the Camino Portuguese? I had boots for the Camino Frances but the Portuguese seems a bit easier... Thanks!

Ah, the great debate of the Portuguese route. You will be walking on a lot of rough cut granite paving stones. Someone on this forum referred to them as blister massage. I met a pilgrim who started from Lisbon in nearly new trail shoes and had holes in her soles by the time she reached Santiago.

If your boots or shoes are worn and you're trying to squeeze one last walk out of them, your feet will likely be very uncomfortable on this Camino.

 

[Mary Crnkovic Pilas]

Ah, the great debate of the Portuguese route. You will be walking on a lot of rough cut granite paving stones. Someone on this forum referred to them as blister massage. I met a pilgrim who started from Lisbon in nearly new trail shoes and had holes in her soles by the time she reached Santiago.

If your boots or shoes are worn and you're trying to squeeze one last walk out of them, your feet will likely be very uncomfortable on this Camino.

Thank you! Will still think about it a bit before I decide. I have really sturdy Mammot leather hiking boots that I wore on the Camino for the first time last year and they're still holding up pretty well, and relatively new Merill hiking shoes

 

[Gillean]

Very good descriptions Mel! Much useful information. John Brierly was walking the Camino Portuguese in April this year so hopefully he will update his guidebook significantly for next year. The paint war your described outside Porriño was interesting. Rule of thumb - go left if you see this and want the streamside walk or go straight ahead if you want to walk through the city:

 

[Michael Morrison]

This is great! My son and I are doing the Camino Portuguese in 10 days so this is great information. Will definitely bookmark it . Just one question - I am still deciding between hiking boots and shoes. Which would you recommend for the Camino Portuguese? I had boots for the Camino Frances but the Portuguese seems a bit easier... Thanks!

I have just walked the pw,i would recommend Merrill open walking sandals,take compeed plasters and put Vaseline between toes before setting off each day best regards mike m.

 

[Mary Crnkovic Pilas]

I have just walked the pw,i would recommend Merrill open walking sandals,take compeed plasters and put Vaseline between toes before setting off each day best regards mike m.

A million thanks! I think that's exactly what I'll do

 

[Stripey Socks]

This is great! My son and I are doing the Camino Portuguese in 10 days so this is great information. Will definitely bookmark it . Just one question - I am still deciding between hiking boots and shoes. Which would you recommend for the Camino Portuguese? I had boots for the Camino Frances but the Portuguese seems a bit easier... Thanks!

Sorry for the late reply - I have been travelling again. I wore boots as I like the feel on my feet. I hope you have been able to pick something suitable.
Mel

 

[Stripey Socks]

Here is some more information - my Top Ten Tips for the Camino Portuguese. Some are a bit tongue-in-cheek but others are more useful!

https://melsonebigadventure.wordpress.com/2016/07/06/camhino-portugues-top-ten-tips/

Bom Caminho everyone. Mel

 

[Mary Crnkovic Pilas]

Sorry for the late reply - I have been travelling again. I wore boots as I like the feel on my feet. I hope you have been able to pick something suitable.
Mel

Hi Stripey socks,

Sorry to get back to you so late, I recently came back from the Camino Portugues and haven't checked out the forum in a while. Thanks again for the advice. I wore hiking shoes in the end and found them to be quite good, especially in the hot weather. Next year I plan to do the Norte and will soon start wearing in my hiking boots

 

[Stripey Socks]

Hi Stripey socks,

Sorry to get back to you so late, I recently came back from the Camino Portugues and haven't checked out the forum in a while. Thanks again for the advice. I wore hiking shoes in the end and found them to be quite good, especially in the hot weather. Next year I plan to do the Norte and will soon start wearing in my hiking boots

Welcome home Mary. I hope you had a wonderful walk and it was blister free.
Footwear is such a personal thing - you just need to to go with what works for you and ignore the rest!
I remember being amazed at people walking the Frances in sandals and lightweight sneakers but if it works for them, who am I to argue??

The Norte is also on the top of my camino list but unfortunately not for a couple of years yet. It is so frustrating when all I want to do is to pull the backpack on and the boots and head out the door!
Enjoy it all
Mel