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Thanks so much for the infoDon’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 a lot for this.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
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.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.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!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!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,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.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.
Did you use walking poles along the Portuguese Coastal route?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!
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.Did you use walking poles along the Portuguese Coastal route?
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 !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.
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: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. ChuckHi 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.
Much more fun getting lost when you're not walking aloneI 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!!
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.
Thank you for the info about Mapy.czDon’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.
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.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.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.
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.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.
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