Camino Portuguese Coastal Route - Walking alone at 66

[Lindyloo]

Hi all, i am planning on walking Portuguese Coastal in July/Aug 2025. My biggest fear is getting lost and no one to ask the way. I’ve heard far less pilgrims than on Frances (I’ve done Sarria to Santiago twice and it was buzzing). I will be booking accommodation in advance and due to knee surgery very short distances each day & luggage transfer service. I would be very interested to learn of other’s experience, especially on if they came across other pilgrims. Part of the joy for me is meeting other people along the way. Thanks in advance.

 

[naplesdon]

In July and August the coastal will be buzzing with tourists, very little chance of getting lost. Finding accommodations might be an issue, but meeting other pilgrims should not be an issue.

 

[Grousedoctor]

Don’t worry about getting lost! The coastal Route is well marked. However, for a little peace of mind, download the app Mapy.cz. When you’re on the Camino, if you have it open or downloaded, you’ll be able to see exactly where you are. The Camino is marked with a blue line all the way north to Santiago.

As @naplesdon indicated, lots of tourists in the summertime so booking ahead would be well advised. If you are looking for private rooms, try to find albergues that offer them in addition to the dorm rooms. By staying in the albergues, you’re certain to meet more pilgrims. After cutting in from the coast at Vigo, you’ll meet many more pilgrims from Redondela north. Here are a few examples of a nice albergues with private rooms: in Oia the Albergue La Cala, in Caminha the Albergue Bom Caminho, and in Redondela the Albergue A Casa da Herba.

 

[BROWNCOUNTYBOB]

Lindyloo, I hiked Camino Portuguese last fall (late Sept to mid-October) from Porto to Viana do Castelo, then crossed inland to Ponte de Lima then hiked the central route to Santiago. I was age 66, and booked private rooms in advance for every night. I used Jakotrans for backpack transport and carried a daypack. Weather was warm, and not a single day of rain! I met other pilgrims along the way, but not nearly as many on the Camino Frances, which I've hiked four times. Enjoy! Bob

 

[Lindyloo]

Don’t worry about getting lost! The coastal Route is well marked. However, for a little peace of mind, download the app Mapy.cz. When you’re on the Camino, if you have it open or downloaded, you’ll be able to see exactly where you are. The Camino is marked with a blue line all the way north to Santiago.

As @naplesdon indicated, lots of tourists in the summertime so booking ahead would be well advised. If you are looking for private rooms, try to find albergues that offer them in addition to the dorm rooms. By staying in the albergues, you’re certain to meet more pilgrims. After cutting in from the coast at Vigo, you’ll meet many more pilgrims from Redondela north. Here are a few examples of a nice albergues with private rooms: in Oia the Albergue La Cala, in Caminha the Albergue Bom Caminho, and in Redondela the Albergue A Casa da Herba.

Thanks so much for the info

 

[Lindyloo]

Lindyloo, I hiked Camino Portuguese last fall (late Sept to mid-October) from Porto to Viana do Castelo, then crossed inland to Ponte de Lima then hiked the central route to Santiago. I was age 66, and booked private rooms in advance for every night. I used Jakotrans for backpack transport and carried a daypack. Weather was warm, and not a single day of rain! I met other pilgrims along the way, but not nearly as many on the Camino Frances, which I've hiked four times. Enjoy! Bob

Thanks a lot for this.

 

[Rick Davidson]

I walk and cycle every year with retiree colleagues…generally always self guided trip. We “get lost” multiple times on every trip. Miss a marked turning, make a wrong assumption on the trail or simply just head off in the wrong direction. For me these situations are just part of self guided walking and resolving the problem is just part of the fun…part of the experience. Either something about the trail, maybe lack of walkers…or a feeling about the directions….or just a simple look at your gps app tells you that you are off the trail or off the Camino. Generally it has just been either a return to a turning….or maybe the map shows you that you will rejoin the trail by another way or one time we had to push our bike back up hill for about 2km!! We always get through these challenges. We expect to get lost!!

 

[KariC]

Hi all, i am planning on walking Portuguese Coastal in July/Aug 2025. My biggest fear is getting lost and no one to ask the way. I’ve heard far less pilgrims than on Frances (I’ve done Sarria to Santiago twice and it was buzzing). I will be booking accommodation in advance and due to knee surgery very short distances each day & luggage transfer service. I would be very interested to learn of other’s experience, especially on if they came across other pilgrims. Part of the joy for me is meeting other people along the way. Thanks in advance.

I did it alone at 60, and there is only one time when I was really walking in a way that felt alone. I did not feel the least bit unsafe. Having lived abroad when I was younger, an advantage of being older is you get hit on a whole lot less. The only time there was any issue with finding our way was when it was still dark in the morning and it was hard to spot the yellow arrows. We just asked locals, and always got pointed in the right direction.
Bom caminho!

 

[lt56ny]

Hi all, i am planning on walking Portuguese Coastal in July/Aug 2025. My biggest fear is getting lost and no one to ask the way. I’ve heard far less pilgrims than on Frances (I’ve done Sarria to Santiago twice and it was buzzing). I will be booking accommodation in advance and due to knee surgery very short distances each day & luggage transfer service. I would be very interested to learn of other’s experience, especially on if they came across other pilgrims. Part of the joy for me is meeting other people along the way. Thanks in advance.

I walked it last year at 69 as the last leg of my camino. It was a driving rain that soaked us virtually every day. I walked in November. Remember as long as the ocean is to your left it is virtually impossible to get lost. A very large number of local people speak some to excellent English. The people are super kind and generous.
As @naplesdon said finding a place to sleep may be an issue. I stayed in albergues all the way, not an issue but it was November. They were all good. Also as he said I am sure there will be more than enough others walking to meet and great. Physically it is, by far, the easiest camino I have ever walked.

 

[SwingKiwi64]

Hi all, i am planning on walking Portuguese Coastal in July/Aug 2025. My biggest fear is getting lost and no one to ask the way. I’ve heard far less pilgrims than on Frances (I’ve done Sarria to Santiago twice and it was buzzing). I will be booking accommodation in advance and due to knee surgery very short distances each day & luggage transfer service. I would be very interested to learn of other’s experience, especially on if they came across other pilgrims. Part of the joy for me is meeting other people along the way. Thanks in advance.

I am planning my first Camino for September 2025 - the Portuguese Coastal looks appealing. I can relate to your many concerns, so many things to research and I may be overthinking- however you have done part of a Camino- well done!

 

[CAshworth]

Hi all, i am planning on walking Portuguese Coastal in July/Aug 2025. My biggest fear is getting lost and no one to ask the way. I’ve heard far less pilgrims than on Frances (I’ve done Sarria to Santiago twice and it was buzzing). I will be booking accommodation in advance and due to knee surgery very short distances each day & luggage transfer service. I would be very interested to learn of other’s experience, especially on if they came across other pilgrims. Part of the joy for me is meeting other people along the way. Thanks in advance.

Hi Lindy - I walked the Coastal route last year Aug/Sept. You won't get lost. It's marked (although not as well marked as other trails). I would suggest you have an app that can locate you on your phone just in case. I used WisePilgrim when I needed it. Portugal isn't great on directional signs compared to Spain, so the coastal route (until you get to Spain) is less frequented with signs. It is true there will be plenty of people there at that time of year, as it's tourist season on the coast. I recommend you stay on the coastal route as you'll find it lovely and the terrain not too difficult. From Porto onward, you'll have many pilgrims to interact with along the coastal route. Note: If you were walking from Lisbon as I did, you'd be virtually alone until reaching Porto.... but from Porto onward, on the coastal route, you will find many pilgrims to interact with. I hope you enjoy the coastal route as much as I did. Bom Camino!

 

[AidaYYC]

Hi all, i am planning on walking Portuguese Coastal in July/Aug 2025. My biggest fear is getting lost and no one to ask the way. I’ve heard far less pilgrims than on Frances (I’ve done Sarria to Santiago twice and it was buzzing). I will be booking accommodation in advance and due to knee surgery very short distances each day & luggage transfer service. I would be very interested to learn of other’s experience, especially on if they came across other pilgrims. Part of the joy for me is meeting other people along the way. Thanks in advance.

Hello Pilgrim,
In April of this year at the tender age of 73, I walked the Portuguese from Lisbon to Santiago via the Coastal/Litoral way. The Pilgrim Office reports this year the Portuguese has become more popular than the Frances, which I did from SJPP in September/October 2022. I can assure you that route, especially from Porto to Santiago, is well marked and I am sure you will have no issues whatsoever. Buen Camino.

 

[JamesG]

Hi Linyloo, I did the costal last year and met Gabby a 75 year old German lady trekking alone who also had recent knee surgery. We did a leg together and shared stories over dinner in Baiona. She would get turned around at times but always found her way with the help of others and her trust app of course. She had a luggage transfer service and was taking her time staying a couple of days in certain towns.

 

[bzribee]

Hi all, i am planning on walking Portuguese Coastal in July/Aug 2025. My biggest fear is getting lost and no one to ask the way. I’ve heard far less pilgrims than on Frances (I’ve done Sarria to Santiago twice and it was buzzing). I will be booking accommodation in advance and due to knee surgery very short distances each day & luggage transfer service. I would be very interested to learn of other’s experience, especially on if they came across other pilgrims. Part of the joy for me is meeting other people along the way. Thanks in advance.

I walked Porto to Santiago (April/May--Littoral and Coastal) and I promise there are LOTS and LOTS of pilgrims. Definitely not the CF I've heard but plenty. My first day out of Porto I rested for about 15 minutes by the bridge and out of curiosity I counted pilgrims passing me. I stopped counting at 60. I promise there'll be many folks. I also walked short distances each day. I didn't form any Camino families as I walked way too slowly for most folks and really wanted to be on my own but I found it very easy to meet and chat along the way and in the auberges and hostels. I'm sure if I'd wanted I could've walked with others. As I got further from Porto the crowds definitely thinned out but there were always other pilgrims ahead of me or passing me. If I wasn't totally sure if I was on the right trail, I just hung out until some one came by. It was never a long wait.

 

[SwingKiwi64]

Hi Lindy - I walked the Coastal route last year Aug/Sept. You won't get lost. It's marked (although not as well marked as other trails). I would suggest you have an app that can locate you on your phone just in case. I used WisePilgrim when I needed it. Portugal isn't great on directional signs compared to Spain, so the coastal route (until you get to Spain) is less frequented with signs. It is true there will be plenty of people there at that time of year, as it's tourist season on the coast. I recommend you stay on the coastal route as you'll find it lovely and the terrain not too difficult. From Porto onward, you'll have many pilgrims to interact with along the coastal route. Note: If you were walking from Lisbon as I did, you'd be virtually alone until reaching Porto.... but from Porto onward, on the coastal route, you will find many pilgrims to interact with. I hope you enjoy the coastal route as much as I did. Bom Camino!

Did you use walking poles along the Portuguese Coastal route?

 

[bzribee]

Did you use walking poles along the Portuguese Coastal route?

I did. And very happily. I walk slowly and they helped me, somewhat, keep a slightly faster pace. More importantly, they were helpful on cobblestones, setts and river rocks, on uphill and one very steep downhill section. Much of the route is flat, though, and then I carried them.
BTW, I forgot to mention I'm 70, female, and walked solo.

 

[SwingKiwi64]

I did. And very happily. I walk slowly and they helped me, somewhat, keep a slightly faster pace. More importantly, they were helpful on cobblestones, setts and river rocks, on uphill and one very steep downhill section. Much of the route is flat, though, and then I carried them.
BTW, I forgot to mention I'm 70, female, and walked solo.

Thank you for replying - I thought as much, and we can become unaware of the amount of strain put on your body without them. Well done you on completing your Camino journey !

 

[Bill905]

Hi all, i am planning on walking Portuguese Coastal in July/Aug 2025. My biggest fear is getting lost and no one to ask the way. I’ve heard far less pilgrims than on Frances (I’ve done Sarria to Santiago twice and it was buzzing). I will be booking accommodation in advance and due to knee surgery very short distances each day & luggage transfer service. I would be very interested to learn of other’s experience, especially on if they came across other pilgrims. Part of the joy for me is meeting other people along the way. Thanks in advance.

Hello Lindyloo - I agree that there are no worries about getting lost on the CP. I have walked it twice at ages 69 and 71, and yes, I remember that very steep descent on a paved road just before Redondela - take it slow. Since you are walking alone and making reservations, I have just a few recommendations:

• In Tui, I like the Jacob's Hostel Tui, very convenient and they will do your laundry for you for a reasonable price
• in Caldas de Reis check out the Albergue Albor, they speak good English and they take reservations in advance (tell her Abuelo Bill referred you! ( see this post https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...e-one-photo-at-a-time-11-0.84524/post-1273484 )
• Plan to spend your last night on the Camino in the Albergue in O Milladoiro because it is only a 6 or 7 km walk into Santiago the next day. They also take reservations in advance.

Wishing you well! Bom Caminho, Buen Camino!

 

[bullingtonce]

Hi all, i am planning on walking Portuguese Coastal in July/Aug 2025. My biggest fear is getting lost and no one to ask the way. I’ve heard far less pilgrims than on Frances (I’ve done Sarria to Santiago twice and it was buzzing). I will be booking accommodation in advance and due to knee surgery very short distances each day & luggage transfer service. I would be very interested to learn of other’s experience, especially on if they came across other pilgrims. Part of the joy for me is meeting other people along the way. Thanks in advance.

A previous post I saw covers it all--'getting lost is part of the journey.' Some of the best outcomes come from being lost and, thereby, accruing unique and beneficial experiences. Also, getting lost is a way of testing yourself. Chuck

 

[gkaplan]

I walk and cycle every year with retiree colleagues…generally always self guided trip. We “get lost” multiple times on every trip. Miss a marked turning, make a wrong assumption on the trail or simply just head off in the wrong direction. For me these situations are just part of self guided walking and resolving the problem is just part of the fun…part of the experience. Either something about the trail, maybe lack of walkers…or a feeling about the directions….or just a simple look at your gps app tells you that you are off the trail or off the Camino. Generally it has just been either a return to a turning….or maybe the map shows you that you will rejoin the trail by another way or one time we had to push our bike back up hill for about 2km!! We always get through these challenges. We expect to get lost!!

Much more fun getting lost when you're not walking alone

 

[WanderLustToo]

Lindyloo - a group of seven women (ages 63-73) walked the Portuguese (Senda Litoral) from Porto in May. I walked by myself several days. We all used the Camino Ninja app on our phones which shows a red line on a map. We used it in some of the small villages in Portugal where it got confusing. If you walk off the route, your dot moves away from the route line. I also used Google maps a few times when the Camino seemed to go in the opposite direction of our lodging and I sensed there was a more direct way to get there.

The signage is significantly better in Spain so little chance of getting lost. On several occasion, local men would point or shoo us in the right directions in towns. In the middle of the summer you will not be alone!

 

[JZA]

Hi all, i am planning on walking Portuguese Coastal in July/Aug 2025. My biggest fear is getting lost and no one to ask the way. I’ve heard far less pilgrims than on Frances (I’ve done Sarria to Santiago twice and it was buzzing). I will be booking accommodation in advance and due to knee surgery very short distances each day & luggage transfer service. I would be very interested to learn of other’s experience, especially on if they came across other pilgrims. Part of the joy for me is meeting other people along the way. Thanks in advance.

It is well signposted and there are still plenty of pilgrims to follow. Also, I have found the local people helpful and supportive.
Remember, as long as the Atlantic is on your left you are headed in the right direction.

 

[desertwoman]

Don’t worry about getting lost! The coastal Route is well marked. However, for a little peace of mind, download the app Mapy.cz. When you’re on the Camino, if you have it open or downloaded, you’ll be able to see exactly where you are. The Camino is marked with a blue line all the way north to Santiago.

As @naplesdon indicated, lots of tourists in the summertime so booking ahead would be well advised. If you are looking for private rooms, try to find albergues that offer them in addition to the dorm rooms. By staying in the albergues, you’re certain to meet more pilgrims. After cutting in from the coast at Vigo, you’ll meet many more pilgrims from Redondela north. Here are a few examples of a nice albergues with private rooms: in Oia the Albergue La Cala, in Caminha the Albergue Bom Caminho, and in Redondela the Albergue A Casa da Herba.

Thank you for the info about Mapy.cz

 

[MelMc]

Hi all, i am planning on walking Portuguese Coastal in July/Aug 2025. My biggest fear is getting lost and no one to ask the way. I’ve heard far less pilgrims than on Frances (I’ve done Sarria to Santiago twice and it was buzzing). I will be booking accommodation in advance and due to knee surgery very short distances each day & luggage transfer service. I would be very interested to learn of other’s experience, especially on if they came across other pilgrims. Part of the joy for me is meeting other people along the way. Thanks in advance.

You,ll be fine .l did it myself a few years ago and to be honest I was nervous also. As long as you're not afraid to open your mouth you will always meet someone. Embrace it, it's worth it.

 

[emmanuel]

Hi all, i am planning on walking Portuguese Coastal in July/Aug 2025. My biggest fear is getting lost and no one to ask the way. I’ve heard far less pilgrims than on Frances (I’ve done Sarria to Santiago twice and it was buzzing). I will be booking accommodation in advance and due to knee surgery very short distances each day & luggage transfer service. I would be very interested to learn of other’s experience, especially on if they came across other pilgrims. Part of the joy for me is meeting other people along the way. Thanks in advance.

Just follow the backpack ahead of you.

 

[KatieMul]

Don’t worry about getting lost! The coastal Route is well marked. However, for a little peace of mind, download the app Mapy.cz. When you’re on the Camino, if you have it open or downloaded, you’ll be able to see exactly where you are. The Camino is marked with a blue line all the way north to Santiago.

As @naplesdon indicated, lots of tourists in the summertime so booking ahead would be well advised. If you are looking for private rooms, try to find albergues that offer them in addition to the dorm rooms. By staying in the albergues, you’re certain to meet more pilgrims. After cutting in from the coast at Vigo, you’ll meet many more pilgrims from Redondela north. Here are a few examples of a nice albergues with private rooms: in Oia the Albergue La Cala, in Caminha the Albergue Bom Caminho, and in Redondela the Albergue A Casa da Herba.

Thanks for the accommodation suggestions Grousedoctor. I am also a 66-year-old woman and starting my first Camino (the Coastal from Porto) on Sept 26th.
Do you think that allergies will be less busy in the first two weeks October?

 

[KatieMul]

Sorry about the autocorrect mistake. I meant Albergues, not “allergies” of course!

 

[CAshworth]

Hi all, i am planning on walking Portuguese Coastal in July/Aug 2025. My biggest fear is getting lost and no one to ask the way. I’ve heard far less pilgrims than on Frances (I’ve done Sarria to Santiago twice and it was buzzing). I will be booking accommodation in advance and due to knee surgery very short distances each day & luggage transfer service. I would be very interested to learn of other’s experience, especially on if they came across other pilgrims. Part of the joy for me is meeting other people along the way. Thanks in advance.

I doubt you'd get lost for long as the coastal route has enough people either on the trail and/or weaves through many towns. With that said, Portugal does NOT mark the Camino well compared to Spain, so there are times where you don't see a directional sign and need to make a decision on which way to turn. I'd recommend you load an app on your phone that can detect where you are and if you're on the trail. For me, I like Wise Pilgrim because of the way it displays the trail and can pinpoint where you are on it.

 

[AidaYYC]

I doubt you'd get lost for long as the coastal route has enough people either on the trail and/or weaves through many towns. With that said, Portugal does NOT mark the Camino well compared to Spain, so there are times where you don't see a directional sign and need to make a decision on which way to turn. I'd recommend you load an app on your phone that can detect where you are and if you're on the trail. For me, I like Wise Pilgrim because of the way it displays the trail and can pinpoint where you are on it.

I am now curious, how does Wise Pilgrim displays the trail as opposed to Buen Camino?

 

[CAshworth]

I’m not sure what you mean? It shows the realtime trail and where you are physically located by GPS. So you can see the actual trail, as well as where you are on it. You can view it as a drawn trail or as a satellite image.

 

[AidaYYC]

I’m not sure what you mean? It shows the realtime trail and where you are physically located by GPS. So you can see the actual trail, as well as where you are on it. You can view it as a drawn trail or as a satellite image.

Ok, same as Buen Camino

 

[JillGat]

Lindyloo - a group of seven women (ages 63-73) walked the Portuguese (Senda Litoral) from Porto in May. I walked by myself several days. We all used the Camino Ninja app on our phones which shows a red line on a map. We used it in some of the small villages in Portugal where it got confusing. If you walk off the route, your dot moves away from the route line. I also used Google maps a few times when the Camino seemed to go in the opposite direction of our lodging and I sensed there was a more direct way to get there.

The signage is significantly better in Spain so little chance of getting lost. On several occasion, local men would point or shoo us in the right directions in towns. In the middle of the summer you will not be alone!

Was the route busy last May?