Camino Portuguese Coastal - Sand Alternatives

[TangoMike]

Hi, has anyone who has done the coastal Portuguese from Porto and has advice on alternatives to sections that involve sand walking please? I have arthritis in both my knees, so am looking to ensure I can keep inflammation at an acceptable level especially as it is the start of my 90-day Camino. I did do a quick search here and even on you tube but couldn't find anything specifically on this topic. I am happy to do some road/footpath walking as option if possible.

 

[peregrino_tom]

Hi Mike
I walked this path at the start of the year. I'm struggling to think of any places where you absolutely have to walk along the sand. I guess there might be a few very short sections on the coast up to Vila do Conde, possibly where the boadwalk has broken, but really minimal.
The part where we walked along and around a succession of sandy beaches was the litoral after A Ramallosa, but that was by choice - there was always pavement available beside the coastal housing. Alternatively you could take the inland 'official' route instead, but that's totally not necessary.
I found the hardest section on my knees to be the 3km with many cobbled streets between Vila do Conde and Povoa. If I did it again I might see whether there's an alternative route on proper pavement, even if that involves bigger streets.

 

[jungleboy]

You are possibly confusing the CP Coastal with the Rota Vicentina in southern Portugal. The latter has a lot of sand walking but the former does not, if I recall correctly.

 

[Dilbin]

Hi, has anyone who has done the coastal Portuguese from Porto and has advice on alternatives to sections that involve sand walking please? I have arthritis in both my knees, so am looking to ensure I can keep inflammation at an acceptable level especially as it is the start of my 90-day Camino. I did do a quick search here and even on you tube but couldn't find anything specifically on this topic. I am happy to do some road/footpath walking as option if possible.

Hi. Walked it in August. Only one very small section of sand because a boardwalk was broken and even then there was a detour around. Enjoy

 

[Scott Fraser]

Hi, has anyone who has done the coastal Portuguese from Porto and has advice on alternatives to sections that involve sand walking please? I have arthritis in both my knees, so am looking to ensure I can keep inflammation at an acceptable level especially as it is the start of my 90-day Camino. I did do a quick search here and even on you tube but couldn't find anything specifically on this topic. I am happy to do some road/footpath walking as option if possible.

I did the Coastal route in Sept-Oct this year. There was only one or two short sections where we needed to walk in sand due to on-going repairs to the boardwalks. If you have to walk in sand, it’s easier if you walk on the beach right near the waterline where the sand will be firmer.

The bigger problem for your knees on this route maybe not the sand but the ubiquitous cobble stone surfaces. Lots of cushioning in your footwear is key.

 

[Shades of Narnia]

Hi, has anyone who has done the coastal Portuguese from Porto and has advice on alternatives to sections that involve sand walking please? I have arthritis in both my knees, so am looking to ensure I can keep inflammation at an acceptable level especially as it is the start of my 90-day Camino. I did do a quick search here and even on you tube but couldn't find anything specifically on this topic. I am happy to do some road/footpath walking as option if possible.

I would love to hear where your 90 day camino will take you. Happy new year

 

[lt56ny]

sections that involve sand walking please?

Hi Mike
I walked this path at the start of the year. I'm struggling to think of any places where you absolutely have to walk along the sand. I guess there might be a few very short sections on the coast up to Vila do Conde, possibly where the boadwalk has broken, but really minimal.
The part where we walked along and around a succession of sandy beaches was the litoral after A Ramallosa, but that was by choice - there was always pavement available beside the coastal housing. Alternatively you could take the inland 'official' route instead, but that's totally not necessary.
I found the hardest section on my knees to be the 3km with many cobbled streets between Vila do Conde and Povoa. If I did it again I might see whether there's an alternative route on proper pavement, even if that involves bigger streets.

Sand is without a doubt no issue. Sometimes there are broken boardwalk pieces that you have sand for a few steps. When I was walking it in November there was a new boardwalk that was being installed. At one point the boardwalk ended and a new one began about 10 feet away so I had to jump down to the sand and gorse and get back up again. At my age I wisely took off my backpack before I jumped down.

The latter has a lot of sand walking but the former does not, if I recall correctly.

You are correctly correct @jungleboy

 

[Walkingat70]

Hi, has anyone who has done the coastal Portuguese from Porto and has advice on alternatives to sections that involve sand walking please? I have arthritis in both my knees, so am looking to ensure I can keep inflammation at an acceptable level especially as it is the start of my 90-day Camino. I did do a quick search here and even on you tube but couldn't find anything specifically on this topic. I am happy to do some road/footpath walking as option if possible.

The stretch from Vila Cha Vila do Conde had deep dry and loose sand for about 3 to 4 Kms when I did it in April 2024. Very tiring.

An option is to catch the bus from Via do Conde Porto Fashion Outlet (which is actually in Vila Cha) to Vila do Conde

 

[TangoMike]

The stretch from Vila Cha Vila do Conde had deep dry and loose sand for about 3 to 4 Kms when I did it in April 2024. Very tiring.

An option is to catch the bus from Via do Conde Porto Fashion Outlet (which is actually in Vila Cha) to Vila do Conde

This must be the section I have been seeing on some of the you tube vlogs. Thanks for that.

 

[TangoMike]

I did the Coastal route in Sept-Oct this year. There was only one or two short sections where we needed to walk in sand due to on-going repairs to the boardwalks. If you have to walk in sand, it’s easier if you walk on the beach right near the waterline where the sand will be firmer.

The bigger problem for your knees on this route maybe not the sand but the ubiquitous cobble stone surfaces. Lots of cushioning in your footwear is key.

Thanks Scott, I will be wearing Chaco sandals as my feet get too hot in shoes and I get less blisters. Good to know about this for further consideration.

 

[TangoMike]

Hi. Walked it in August. Only one very small section of sand because a boardwalk was broken and even then there was a detour around. Enjoy

I am thinking I might be watching some older vlogs perhaps (some 2022 recently viewed) and maybe they opted for a bit of beach walking? Thank you for the information.

 

[TangoMike]

You are possibly confusing the CP Coastal with the Rota Vicentina in southern Portugal. The latter has a lot of sand walking but the former does not, if I recall correctly.

Yes I have seen both paths but I am now guessing some of the vlogs I watched peeps may have opted to walk on the sand instead of the boardwalks. Thanks for responding, I am really looking forward to end of May and enjoying this route for the first time.