Portuguese Camino starting in Santarem via Fatima

[JaneM]

Hi all I appreciate the wealth of wisdom here.
I have done copious amounts of research and will be travelling to Portugal next May for the Portuguese Camino - train from Lisbon to Santarem then walking via Fatima and then picking up the main Portuguese Camino in Tomar.
I have previously walked from Tui to Santiago and also the Via Francigena from Lucca to Rome so not a novice. but I am a lone female and like to go slow and really take it all in.
Just wondering on any tips for those initial stages to Fatima and onto Tomar. I plan to be in Fatima on May 13 so expecting that to be busy but not sure about the rest.
Did others find the signage ok?
Hoping its not too much road walking between Santarem and Tomar?
Any first hand advice greatly appreciated.

 

[Corned Beef]

A link to route description for the sections to Fatima

Santarém - Monsanto | Caminhos da Fé

When leaving Santarém, the landscape en-route starts to show signs of change, with expansive rural fields and the emergence of mountainous landscapes. The astonishing settlements along this stretch are a portrait of a Portugal almost untouched since the end of the 19th century, when farming...

www.pathsoffaith.com

Plenty of signs (blue/white). If you do end up on the roads, they tend to be very quiet. Because it's a quiet area, you'll need to take water/food with you are there are not many cafes to stop at - if they are open at all.

 

[JaneM]

A link to route description for the sections to Fatima

Santarém - Monsanto | Caminhos da Fé

When leaving Santarém, the landscape en-route starts to show signs of change, with expansive rural fields and the emergence of mountainous landscapes. The astonishing settlements along this stretch are a portrait of a Portugal almost untouched since the end of the 19th century, when farming...

www.pathsoffaith.com

Plenty of signs (blue/white). If you do end are on the roads, they tend to be very quiet. Because it's a quiet area, you'll need to take water/food with you are there are not many cafes to stop at - if they are open at all.

Thanks so much Corned Beef I have found the paths of faith website very helpful. I was more just interested in first hand experiences and tips from those who have walked the path. Great to hear there are plenty of signs and I will definitely take water and food.

 

[André Walker]

There is a Google Maps map showing the various Caminhos de Fátima. I think it's possible to download the KML-tracks from the map into your smartphone. Might be helpful if for navigation purposes?

Caminhos de Fátima - https://www.google.nl/maps/d/viewer?mid=18iGd0PrWLrBINUXaieLn79RywjEEQKI&usp=sharing

 

[dougfitz]

I walked from Lisboa to Fatima a couple of years ago, before taking the bus to Tomar. So I don't have any experience walking from Fatima to Tomar, other than doing a day walk along the final few km along the aquaduct.

Leaving Santarem was largely on quiet, urban roads for the first day, then a mix of similarly quiet semi-rural roads, forest paths and the like. There were a couple of stretches where there was faster moving traffic, but nothing like some of the traffic I experienced later on the CP. In particular, the descent into Minde required some care.

Waymarking is generally pretty good, provided you are paying attention while you are walking. While there is widespread use of the blue Fatima waymark, there are a few places where yellow flechas have been used on poles, walls and rocks. Walking to Fatima from Santarem, there were often blue and yellow waymarks pointing in the same direction. Further north, the blue waymarks point south, the yellow north, and they won't always be in the same place.

There weren't large numbers of walking pilgrims on the path into Fatima, but further north the numbers increased dramatically, but they were walking in specially reserved lanes along the road network, not on the waymarked CP path. I only recall one pilgrim walking the CP south to Fatima when I walked. That said, there was some crowding in towns where I crossed paths, generally near the roads they were using. Cafes that were a bit further from these roads weren't crowded. If there was any lesson I took from that it was to never pass a cafe if it wasn't busy.

I hope you enjoy your pilgrimage.

 

[trecile]

I plan to be in Fatima on May 13 so expecting that to be busy

Hundreds of thousands of people will be there.

Hundreds of thousands descend on Portugal's Fátima to pray for peace

Ceremonies marking the anniversary of the reported appearance of the Virgin Mary to three shepherd children in Fátima, Portugal, May 13, 2024.

www.heraldnews.com

And I'd advise you to book ahead for Santarém to Fátima as there will be many pilgrims walking to Fátima during that time.

 

[JaneMB]

I walked from Lisboa to Fatima a couple of years ago, before taking the bus to Tomar. So I don't have any experience walking from Fatima to Tomar, other than doing a day walk along the final few km along the aquaduct.

Leaving Santarem was largely on quiet, urban roads for the first day, then a mix of similarly quiet semi-rural roads, forest paths and the like. There were a couple of stretches where there was faster moving traffic, but nothing like some of the traffic I experienced later on the CP. In particular, the descent into Minde required some care.

Waymarking is generally pretty good, provided you are paying attention while you are walking. While there is widespread use of the blue Fatima waymark, there are a few places where yellow flechas have been used on poles, walls and rocks. Walking to Fatima from Santarem, there were often blue and yellow waymarks pointing in the same direction. Further north, the blue waymarks point south, the yellow north, and they won't always be in the same place.

There weren't large numbers of walking pilgrims on the path into Fatima, but further north the numbers increased dramatically, but they were walking in specially reserved lanes along the road network, not on the waymarked CP path. I only recall one pilgrim walking the CP south to Fatima when I walked. That said, there was some crowding in towns where I crossed paths, generally near the roads they were using. Cafes that were a bit further from these roads weren't crowded. If there was any lesson I took from that it was to never pass a cafe if it wasn't busy.

I hope you enjoy your pilgrimage.

Fantastic info thx so much dougfitz

 

[JaneMB]

Hundreds of thousands of people will be there.

Hundreds of thousands descend on Portugal's Fátima to pray for peace

Ceremonies marking the anniversary of the reported appearance of the Virgin Mary to three shepherd children in Fátima, Portugal, May 13, 2024.

www.heraldnews.com

And I'd advise you to book ahead for Santarém to Fátima as there will be many pilgrims walking to Fátima during that time.

Thanks so much for the reply trecile. Yes I’ve prebooked my accommodation from Santarem through to Tomar as anticipating it’ll be very busy. I’m looking forward to the commemorations on May 13 but also hoping for some quieter stages as well. I’m up for the adventure!

 

[trecile]

Thanks so much for the reply trecile. Yes I’ve prebooked my accommodation from Santarem through to Tomar as anticipating it’ll be very busy. I’m looking forward to the commemorations on May 13 but also hoping for some quieter stages as well. I’m up for the adventure!

In 2022 I had to change my departure from Lisbon from April to early May, and found that some albergues were completely booked out. It's good that you have your reservations in place.

 

[Corned Beef]

You'll probably see lots of Portuguese pilgrims on the route with you in their hi-viz jackets. I was there at the beginning of this year but saw very few on the road.

As regards the walking, Fatima to Tomar is downhill but the landscape is a series of hills to traverse. The first pic is looking over to the castle at Ourem from the Fatima direction to show the kind of countryside you'll be walking in. After the walk to Fatima, the bus to Tomar might appeal.

 

[BillW]

I walked Lisbon to Fátima in September (on my way to Santiago). Walking to Santarém was uneventful, but the two stages after Santarém are lovely.

It's about 30km from Fátima to Tomar,, but if you don't mind paying for private lodging... The "Bohemian Artistic House" in Longra between Fátima and Tomar offers a unique and comfortable experience mid-way. Stopping there breaks the walk into two days: 22km and 7km. (The 7km day can serve as a rest day after a week of walking.)

Having a short day into Tomar is nice, because it's such a lovely town, and there is a lot to see as you get close to town. You'll want to climb up onto the aqueduct, and tour the Convent. I did both of those before heading to my lodging since you hit them before you get to the city.

 

[Old Bamboo]

Be careful as the route between Fatima and Tomar is poorly marked. A few months ago I was in Fatima headed towards Tomar following the arrows but soon got hopelessly turned around as they disappeared shortly after departing Fatima. The map and info I had was worthless and I hiked blindly many km using guesswork eventually coming across a faded sign with an arrow for Tomar. Google maps didn't help. At that point I decided to forget it as I could just imagine being stuck somewhere with no idea which way to go. Instead I hiked back to Fatima and took the bus. Later on in the hostel in Tomar I talked to a woman who told me that had been a wise move. She'd attempted the hike from Fatima, got lost and was nearly out of water till she was finally rescued by a local.

 

[trecile]

Be careful as the route between Fatima and Tomar is poorly marked

The mapy.cz app is great to have installed on your phone and shows the Camino routes. You can also download regions for use offline.

Here's the route between Fátima and Tomar.



When you zoom in you can see the Camino symbol.

 

[Corned Beef]

Lots of options suggested above and probably more than you need. But as others may be considering the route, I'd like to throw in the non-Tomar option - Rota das Carmelitas/Carmelite Route which heads from Fatima towards Coimbra missing out Tomar. Joins the CP north of Alvaizere.

Carmelite Route | Caminhos da Fé

Setting off from the Carmel of St. Teresa in Coimbra, the Carmelite Route is an invitation to reach the Shrine of Our Lady of Fátima, through 111 km that run through the municipalities of Coimbra, Condeixa-a-Nova, Penela, Ansião, Alvaiázere and Ourém.

www.pathsoffaith.com

 

[JaneMB]

I walked Lisbon to Fátima in September (on my way to Santiago). Walking to Santarém was uneventful, but the two stages after Santarém are lovely.

It's about 30km from Fátima to Tomar,, but if you don't mind paying for private lodging... The "Bohemian Artistic House" in Longra between Fátima and Tomar offers a unique and comfortable experience mid-way. Stopping there breaks the walk into two days: 22km and 7km. (The 7km day can serve as a rest day after a week of walking.)

Having a short day into Tomar is nice, because it's such a lovely town, and there is a lot to see as you get close to town. You'll want to climb up onto the aqueduct, and tour the Convent. I did both of those before heading to my lodging since you hit them before you get to the city.

Interesting thankyou BillW. I have broken up the stages and prebooked accomodation due to the May 13 celebrations. I’m going slow to soak it all in and, as such, have a rest day in Tomar to explore.

 

[JaneMB]

Lots of options suggested above and probably more than you need. But as others may be considering the route, I'd like to throw in the non-Tomar option - Rota das Carmelitas/Carmelite Route which heads from Fatima towards Coimbra missing out Tomar. Joins the CP north of Alvaizere.

Carmelite Route | Caminhos da Fé

Setting off from the Carmel of St. Teresa in Coimbra, the Carmelite Route is an invitation to reach the Shrine of Our Lady of Fátima, through 111 km that run through the municipalities of Coimbra, Condeixa-a-Nova, Penela, Ansião, Alvaiázere and Ourém.

www.pathsoffaith.com

Thx Cornedbeef but I have already booked accommodation and keen not to miss Tomar.

 

[JaneMB]

The mapy.cz app is great to have installed on your phone and shows the Camino routes. You can also download regions for use offline.

Here's the route between Fátima and Tomar.

View attachment 181120

When you zoom in you can see the Camino symbol.

View attachment 181119

Thx heaps trecile I’m a little anxious now but committed to giving it a go so thx for app.

 

[JaneMB]

Be careful as the route between Fatima and Tomar is poorly marked. A few months ago I was in Fatima headed towards Tomar following the arrows but soon got hopelessly turned around as they disappeared shortly after departing Fatima. The map and info I had was worthless and I hiked blindly many km using guesswork eventually coming across a faded sign with an arrow for Tomar. Google maps didn't help. At that point I decided to forget it as I could just imagine being stuck somewhere with no idea which way to go. Instead I hiked back to Fatima and took the bus. Later on in the hostel in Tomar I talked to a woman who told me that had been a wise move. She'd attempted the hike from Fatima, got lost and was nearly out of water till she was finally rescued by a local.

I’m a little anxious now but very good advice. I’m committed to try but will check once in Lisbon just to be sure. Many thx