More pilgrims on Coastal or Inland Route?

[cabigred]

Hello, this year I will have a special treat on my Camino. My 21 year old son has asked to walk the Porto to Santiago route with me. He is even offering to carry my things. Here is the question. I'd like him to experience the most interaction with other Pilgrims. Hopefully some younger ones mixed in with the old folks like me. Which route is likely to bring us the most exposure to other Pilgrims? Inland or Coastal?

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Mike Savage]

I walked the coastal route last year in September and some days we saw very few other pilgrims and some days as we got closer to Santiago de Compostela there were a lot of pilgrims. I believe the central route is the most popular and has more pilgrims. When do you plan on walking? I expect to be walking the central route leaving Porto sometime around September 8th. I have 7 weeks to walk so my plans are not written in stone.

 

[cabigred]

Hi Mike we are walking from Porto June 1. I am planning for 14mi days. which is comfortable for me.

 

[Mike Savage]

Bom Caminho!

 

[jsalt]

Which route is likely to bring us the most exposure to other Pilgrims? Inland or Coastal?

Inland

 

[ratherbefollowingflechas]

We walked the Coastal from late May/early June and saw VERY few people. We met one gentleman who had spent 3 nights all by himself in the alburgues. We did run into more folks once the trails joined in Valencia. There was a definite increase in college aged hikers from there as well, so I am guessing the Central route is more popular with that age group.

It is always wonderful when mixed generations decide to undertake such an enlightening experience.

Buen Camino

 

[t2andreo]

The coastal route joins the central route at or near São Pedro de Rates. From there, one route heads to Valença, and into Spain at Tui.

In my experience, the first three day or so, from Porto, along the coast and swinging northeast towards Rates are beautiful and easy walking. The people are wonderful and English is widely spoken. However, there are very few pilgrims.

Arriving across the bridge from Portugal, in Tui, you are at one of those "magical" just over 100 Km Camino points that qualify for a Compostela from the Pilgrim Office for having done a Camino if you walk the "final" 100 Km to qualify. This is analogous to Sarria on the Camino Frances.

This established, once at Tui, and especially in season (after Easter) the pilgrim numbers will increase greatly. At Tui, folks who are not able, do not have the time or inclination to walk a longer Camino will generally start from the Tui Cathedral. It is a good place to stay overnight and to start from.

If you are walking over the girder bridge (designed by Gustave Eiffel's firm) from Valença, remember to change your watch AHEAD one hour. Portugal is in the same time zone as London, UK (UTC +1 during the summer). But, Tui and all of Spain is in the Central European Time Zone (UTC +2 in summer).

Walking from Tui towards Redondela, you pass through Porrino. The approach to Porrino from the south is through an industrial area of auto assembly light factories, warehousing, etc. It is several kilometers of straight, somewhat soul sapping (IMHO) sidewalk hiking. There is precious little shade to be had and lots of trailer trucks.

There IS a pleasant, more off the main road alternative after Tui. It is written about elsewhere in the Forum. Search for "Porrino." Be aware that local interest conspire continually to vandalize, deface, or move yellow arrows and other directional or informational signage placed to provide this more relaxing alternative to you. Do your research.

I made a wrong turn in 2015 and became "lost" in a forest for nearly two hours. The tree canopy was thick enough that I could not see the sun. I eventually found my way, but onto the industrial route...Yuk! I will try to do better this year.

I hope this helps.

 

[peregrina2000]

I know that a lot of pilgrims want to get a taste of the ocean and spend a day or several days on the Coastal route out of Porto, but then head inland. I agree with those who say that if you want to meet others, spend most of your days on the central route.

Here is another current thread with some of the options: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/camino-portuguese-from-porto.46929/

You can also see the slightly confusing web of caminhos that exists between Porto and Santiago on this map: http://www.caminador.es/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/RELIEVE-PORTO-REDONDELA-Impr.pdf

 

[Letsgocamino]

Hi Mike we are walking from Porto June 1. I am planning for 14mi days. which is comfortable for me.

Exciting! My sister&I begin may 31st out of Porto. Coastal all the way to Vila do conde then cut across inland to rates.