Hello! Jen in Texas

[jenclarkie]

Waking the Camino Portuguese out of Porto on April 4, 2025 ~ solo. Very excited and am glad to have found this resource to help with my journey. Any other pilgrims out there starting in early April?

 

[Juspassinthru]

Waking the Camino Portuguese out of Porto on April 4, 2025 ~ solo. Very excited and am glad to have found this resource to help with my journey. Any other pilgrims out there starting in early April?

Not walking but welcome. Always happy to see fellow Texas Pilgrims.

 

[jenclarkie]

Not walking but welcome. Always happy to see fellow Texas Pilgrims.

Thank you!

 

[CTLawGal]

Welcome Jen! Glad you found this resource with time to spare. I only discovered it about a month or so before I started on my first (and solo) Camino, and realized by reading posts that people take rest days (never even occurred to me!) and lots of other valuable advice.

I'm starting my second (also solo) in mid-April, but from Geneva to Le Puy to Saint Jean Pied de Port, so coming in from a different direction

There's a calendar where people post when they are starting what Caminos, last I checked a couple of days, March 2025 was open for posting, but not yet April. Keep an eye on it.

Buen Camino!

 

[jenclarkie]

Thank you! Yes - learning a lot from the varied posts and I’m definitely planning a couple of rest & explore days. I have a tendency to “walk fast” so am looking forward to breaking that up.

You certainly have a journey ahead. Have the best time. Yes - will be on the lookout for the April calendar when it posts.

Buen Camino!

 

[CTLawGal]

As to rest days, even though I didn't plan any, in the end I think it worked out best for me. I started on the Norte with long stages and the first week had some very long elevation gains. What I ended up doing was shortening two stages:

One, the first week, after a grueling walk to Guernica, I thought there was no way I could continue the next day and was prepared to take a taxi. The next morning, I woke up feeling better, took a closer look at the route and realized that I could take a taxi to the mid-point (to skip the woods and elevation gain, and have a gentle downhill through a paved route.

The second one also followed a very long walk the day to Santander. The guidebook indicated that the first portion was mostly through commercial/industrial area and recommended taking a train to by-pass, which I did (there's also a coastal route, but it's long, not well marked apparently and I knew I was too tired for that).

The reason I mention this is for two reasons - my body felt better walking the shorter route rather than not walking, and also of all the various towns I walked through over 42 days, not many would I have wanted to spend an extra day in - just not that much to see, for me anyway. I did walk to Finisterre and Muxia and spent an extra day in Finisterre, and was happy to do so and spent a happy day walking the paths around the peninsula. So maybe bear that in mind with your planning if that sounds more like what might be better for you.

Also, if you are a fast walker, I would encourage you to slow down a bit from time to time, savor what you're experiencing, take some pictures, look backwards to experience your view from a different perspective. Unless you just want a fast physical challenge or are trying to catch a bed in an albergue, there's no reason to rush. At the same time, everyone has their own pace, I'm sure you'll find yours!

Buen Camino

 

[trecile]

After taking a rest day in León on my first Camino I discovered that I preferred to walk short days when I needed a little rest or wanted more time to explore a town or city. I like to continue moving forward toward my goal.
But I also schedule enough time off to take off a full day when necessary - this year I had a fairly bad cold, so I took one full day off, then a couple of short days while I recuperated.

 

[USMC-Pilgrim]

Hi Jen, we will be a month or so behind you, starting from Porto and plan to walk to SdC in 14 days mostly along the Coastal route. Our group is currently my twin sister, our youngest sister and myself.

Definitely interested in any resources or ideas you come up with prior to starting and once you start walking in April 2025.

 

[Juspassinthru]

Thank you! Yes - learning a lot from the varied posts and I’m definitely planning a couple of rest & explore days. I have a tendency to “walk fast” so am looking forward to breaking that up.

You certainly have a journey ahead. Have the best time. Yes - will be on the lookout for the April calendar when it posts.

Buen Camino!

Jen,

Regards rest days, especially on your first Camino, these are also “tourist” days. This year, like @trecile , I walked the Aragonés (+ 3 days in France) and joined the CF from Puente la Reina, 45 walking days. I must admit that at 67 and nursing a sore IT Band, I welcomed my 2 rest days, especially Burgos. Besides those 2 full days, we also did what I call walking rest days, @trecile short days, especially towards the end of our journey. For instance, Triacastela to Samos, about 10k, 3 leisurely hours +/- with another short day to Sarria the next day. You’ll find what works best for you, build some time in for them and listen to your body/mind and yes, soul. Sometimes it’s weary too.

Enjoy the planning and reflect on it when you’re done. Amazing what you learn along the way.

 

[jenclarkie]

As to rest days, even though I didn't plan any, in the end I think it worked out best for me. I started on the Norte with long stages and the first week had some very long elevation gains. What I ended up doing was shortening two stages:

One, the first week, after a grueling walk to Guernica, I thought there was no way I could continue the next day and was prepared to take a taxi. The next morning, I woke up feeling better, took a closer look at the route and realized that I could take a taxi to the mid-point (to skip the woods and elevation gain, and have a gentle downhill through a paved route.

The second one also followed a very long walk the day to Santander. The guidebook indicated that the first portion was mostly through commercial/industrial area and recommended taking a train to by-pass, which I did (there's also a coastal route, but it's long, not well marked apparently and I knew I was too tired for that).

The reason I mention this is for two reasons - my body felt better walking the shorter route rather than not walking, and also of all the various towns I walked through over 42 days, not many would I have wanted to spend an extra day in - just not that much to see, for me anyway. I did walk to Finisterre and Muxia and spent an extra day in Finisterre, and was happy to do so and spent a happy day walking the paths around the peninsula. So maybe bear that in mind with your planning if that sounds more like what might be better for you.

Also, if you are a fast walker, I would encourage you to slow down a bit from time to time, savor what you're experiencing, take some pictures, look backwards to experience your view from a different perspective. Unless you just want a fast physical challenge or are trying to catch a bed in an albergue, there's no reason to rush. At the same time, everyone has their own pace, I'm sure you'll find yours!

Buen Camino

I appreciate the feedback. In ways it sounds like you’ve cracked the code with preparation and listening to yourself and body. I do think flexibility and being open to the journey plays a part. I can’t imagine my 1st Camino being 42 days. Wow! Inspired by you & others!

With the Portuguese, I’m planning for about 12 days and hope to enjoy a mix of albergues and hotels. Some I’ve reserved and others will wing a resi a couple days prior. As much as I value a quick pace, I intend to really slow down and enjoy every day while on the Camino. I think that’s the overwhelming opinion of everyone here. Prior to my walk, I’m planning 2 nights in Porto. Then Day 4-5, 2 nights in Ponte de Lima. I may also spend 2 nights in Ponteverde but haven’t decided yet. Will definitely savor, take photos and look behind me.

 

[jenclarkie]

Hi Jen, we will be a month or so behind you, starting from Porto and plan to walk to SdC in 14 days mostly along the Coastal route. Our group is currently my twin sister, our youngest sister and myself.

Definitely interested in any resources or ideas you come up with prior to starting and once you start walking in April 2025.

This is fantastic! I’ll be on the Central but think the Coastal is a great choice, as well. I’ve been reading on both.

I did purchase John Brierley’s Guide to the Camino Portugues, which seems to be the favored book of Pilgrims. Aside from the tiny print, it’s a great resource. I’ve also listened to basically every episode of a podcast called The Pilgrims Podcast hosted by Bradley Chermside - such great info., I highly recommend! I’ve also joined a couple of FB groups and have collectively gone from there. In the midst of planning!

Decided to take a couple days in Porto for fun and touring prior to Day 1 of walking (4/4). Have planned 2 nights in Ponte de Lima & may also take 2 nights in Pontevedra ahead of Santiago on 4/15. Slowing down with intention!

Is this your 1st? Sounds like you have a great group to journey with.

Buen Camino!

 

[JacquelineA]

Welcome! Walked the Portuguese in September/october ‘23 and loved it. Started planning the next one when I came home.
We walked the coastal from Porto to Caminha and then switched to the central (Valenca/Tui).
I would definitely recommend staying 2 nights in Pontevedra, it’s really a very nice town.

The brierly guide is popular but quit heavy I heard. So we bought a smaller guide (village to village map guide from Matthew Harms) and used the free app Buen Camino. The route is mostly well marked, we used the app sometimes when in doubt, the guide not so much (mostly for planning the route and choosing accommodation in advance).

We had a returnflight to Porto and slowly travelled back visiting Braga and Guimaraes and 3 days in Porto. Unwinding before returning home was very nice.

Enjoy your preparation and bom Caminho!

 

[therealmcneil51]

Welcome! Walked the Portuguese in September/october ‘23 and loved it. Started planning the next one when I came home.
We walked the coastal from Porto to Caminha and then switched to the central (Valenca/Tui).
I would definitely recommend staying 2 nights in Pontevedra, it’s really a very nice town.

The brierly guide is popular but quit heavy I heard. So we bought a smaller guide (village to village map guide from Matthew Harms) and used the free app Buen Camino. The route is mostly well marked, we used the app sometimes when in doubt, the guide not so much (mostly for planning the route and choosing accommodation in advance).

We had a returnflight to Porto and slowly travelled back visiting Braga and Guimaraes and 3 days in Porto. Unwinding before returning home was very nice.

Enjoy your preparation and bom Caminho!

Hi, l'll be walking the central route in late April/early May solo and was looking at how to spend the last few days of my trip once I reach Santiago. I was thinking of visiting Braga and Guimaraes while heading back to Porto as you mentioned. Do you have any insights/tips on how to do this best logistically? Seems like most tours start in Porto and I don't really want to back track. Thanks.

 

[JacquelineA]

The bus from Santiago to Porto has a stop in Braga. We took Alsa bus, booked online a few days before leaving Santiago (you can see online how many seats are left), but I believe more or even all buscompanies stop in Braga.
From Braga you can take a bus to Guimaraes. (Booked online on rome2rio)
From Guimaraes the train takes you to the beautifull station Sao Bento in Porto. Just buy tickets for the local train at the station for €3,00 (There’s also a fast train that you can book on rome2rio but that costs €14,00)