Stay inland or take the spiritual varient

[jay feick]

Will be hiking from Porto on May 1st and would really appreciate hearing the pro's and con's of taking or not taking the spiritual varient in early May. Thanks much. Jay

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Variante hands down. You will finally see some beautiful villages and landscapes, which the days past Pontevedra are not known for.

Stop by the Poio monastery, have an early luch in Combarro, an old, picturesque fishing village with summer rental prices only the 1% can afford. Climb up the hill and end your day in Armenteira, with a delicious early dinner in a very well known restaurant, Bar A Fonte (as for orujo and they will being you a bottle of each of their three home made flavours right out of the freezer) and vespers afterwards. (there was a wedding we crazhed when I was.

While at the albergue, call the captains to find out what time they are sailing the next day. This will tell you if you have to rush down the hill or if you can take it easy. If they sail early, you'll jist have a lovely evening in Arousa. Phone numbers are on the wall.

Next day you get to enjoy the world of the hobbits, walking downhill following a beautiful small river and its falls and mill ruins. At the bottom a the hill have a snack at Os Castanos and walk through vineyards and posh homes (illegal cigarette trade a few years ago, I'm told) and arrive in Arousa.

This paet of the Central really is its redeaming quality, other than Pontevedra and Tui, and to a lesser extent Barcelos and Ponte de Lima. Do not miss it.

 

[jay feick]

Variante hands down. You will finally see some beautiful villages and landscapes, which the days past Pontevedra are not known for.

Stop by the Poio monastery, have an early luch in Combarro, an old, picturesque fishing village with summer rental prices only the 1% can afford. Climb up the hill and end your day in Armenteira, with a delicious early dinner in a very well known restaurant, Bar A Fonte (as for orujo and they will being you a bottle of each of their three home made flavours right out of the freezer) and vespers afterwards. (there was a wedding we crazhed when I was.

While at the albergue, call the captains to find out what time they are sailing the next day. This will tell you if you have to rush down the hill or if you can take it easy. If they sail early, you'll jist have a lovely evening in Arousa. Phone numbers are on the wall.

Next day you get to enjoy the world of the hobbits, walking downhill following a beautiful small river and its falls and mill ruins. At the bottom a the hill have a snack at Os Castanos and walk through vineyards and posh homes (illegal cigarette trade a few years ago, I'm told) and arrive in Arousa.

This paet of the Central really is its redeaming quality, other than Pontevedra and Tui, and to a lesser extent Barcelos and Ponte de Lima. Do not miss it.

Thanks Much. Perhaps you can help with another question. When we finish our Route from Porto to Santiago we will have time for another hike for 6-8 days. I've look at Camino Inglese, Finisterra & Muzie but I'm leaning toward Monforte to Santiago (last leg on Camino Inverno) - do you have a preferanxce and why? Thanks so much. Jay

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Thanks Much. Perhaps you can help with another question. When we finish our Route from Porto to Santiago we will have time for another hike for 6-8 days. I've look at Camino Inglese, Finisterra & Muzie but I'm leaning toward Monforte to Santiago (last leg on Camino Inverno) - do you have a preferanxce and why? Thanks so much. Jay

Have not walked any of them, but the Ingles is much more common.

 

[AlexisJK]

Variante hands down. You will finally see some beautiful villages and landscapes, which the days past Pontevedra are not known for.

Stop by the Poio monastery, have an early luch in Combarro, an old, picturesque fishing village with summer rental prices only the 1% can afford. Climb up the hill and end your day in Armenteira, with a delicious early dinner in a very well known restaurant, Bar A Fonte (as for orujo and they will being you a bottle of each of their three home made flavours right out of the freezer) and vespers afterwards. (there was a wedding we crazhed when I was.

While at the albergue, call the captains to find out what time they are sailing the next day. This will tell you if you have to rush down the hill or if you can take it easy. If they sail early, you'll jist have a lovely evening in Arousa. Phone numbers are on the wall.

Next day you get to enjoy the world of the hobbits, walking downhill following a beautiful small river and its falls and mill ruins. At the bottom a the hill have a snack at Os Castanos and walk through vineyards and posh homes (illegal cigarette trade a few years ago, I'm told) and arrive in Arousa.

This paet of the Central really is its redeaming quality, other than Pontevedra and Tui, and to a lesser extent Barcelos and Ponte de Lima. Do not miss it.

I am doing the Camino Portugues from Porto in a couple of weeks (Sept 19, 2017 to be exact). I just found out about the Variante Route. Where does it go from? Are there maps available online? I have John Brierley's book but it does not indicate much on the variante. Any assistance is greatly appreciated, thank you.

 

[WayWalker]

I am doing the Camino Portugues from Porto in a couple of weeks (Sept 19, 2017 to be exact). I just found out about the Variante Route. Where does it go from? Are there maps available online? I have John Brierley's book but it does not indicate much on the variante. Any assistance is greatly appreciated, thank you.

The route is plainly visible about 2k out of Pontevedre. You wont need a map. Very well way marked. It's lovely.