Casa Fernanda to Spiritual Variant Path

[dreaminggypsy]

Best way to get to Spiritual Variant Path from Casa Fernanda on Central Route? I think, from what I have read, the best way to get from the Coastal Route to Casa Fernanda is turn at Vila do Conde and head to Barcelos. Once we go the Central Route to Casa Fernanda-we want to be able to get to the Spiritual Variant Path. Thank you for any tips. I know Alberthino said:

"From Fernanda's we jumped over to the coastal
Ask Fernanda's husband Jacinto how to get from them to the bus in Balugães of the railwaystation in Baroselas (that is another place than Barcelos ! Is is not a typo !) "

Just wanting to know if anyone else had tried something different or if the bus in Balugaes is best.

Thanks so much. Tammi (Walking Camino Portugues in April)

 

[Anamya]

Hi Tammi! Just to clarify, the Coastal route and the Spiritual route are not the same thing.

You can start in the coastal if you want, go inland towards Fernanda and just keep walking the Central route until you reach th3 start of the spiritual variant. That is located near Pontevedra.

If you check Camino Portugues on the gronze website, you'll find very useful info

El Camino de Santiago | Gronze.com

Bienvenido a Gronze, tu Guía del Camino de Santiago: Información práctica, actualizada y participativa de los principales Caminos de Santiago.

www.gronze.com

 

[Former member 22438]

Best way to get to Spiritual Variant Path from Casa Fernanda on Central Route? I think, from what I have read, the best way to get from the Coastal Route to Casa Fernanda is turn at Vila do Conde and head to Barcelos. Once we go the Central Route to Casa Fernanda-we want to be able to get to the Spiritual Variant Path. Thank you for any tips. I know Alberthino said:

"From Fernanda's we jumped over to the coastal
Ask Fernanda's husband Jacinto how to get from them to the bus in Balugães of the railwaystation in Baroselas (that is another place than Barcelos ! Is is not a typo !) "

Just wanting to know if anyone else had tried something different or if the bus in Balugaes is best.

Thanks so much. Tammi (Walking Camino Portugues in April)

It depends how long you want to follow the coast.
I did it several times by walking from Porto to Viana do Castello and then took public transport (the bus ) to Balugães and walked the last 3 kms to Fernanda.
Also walked from Porto to São Pedro de Rates and Barcelos to Fernanda-the central caminho and took the train from Barosellos (Fernanda's husband took me there by car) and took the train to Viana do Castelo and continued from there on the Coastal caminho
Either from the coastal or the central caminho the distance to the northern outskirts of Pontevedra where the Variante Espiritual starts , counted from casa da Fernanda is about 100 kms

 

[dreaminggypsy]

It depends how long you want to follow the coast.
I did it several times by walking from Porto to Viana do Castello and then took public transport (the bus ) to Balugães and walked the last 3 kms to Fernanda.
Also walked from Porto to São Pedro de Rates and Barcelos to Fernanda-the central caminho and took the train from Barosellos (Fernanda's husband took me there by car) and took the train to Viana do Castelo and continued from there on the Coastal caminho
Either from the coastal or the central caminho the distance to the northern outskirts of Pontevedra where the Variante Espiritual starts , counted from casa da Fernanda is about 100 kms

I would love to know, Albertinho, which route you preferred to Casa Fernanda--Porto to Viana do Castello to Balugaes vis bus OR straight walk from Porto to Sao Pedro de Rates - Barcelos - to Fernanda's?

 

[David Tallan]

I would love to know, Albertinho, which route you preferred to Casa Fernanda--Porto to Viana do Castello to Balugaes vis bus OR straight walk from Porto to Sao Pedro de Rates - Barcelos - to Fernanda's?

The third option (Porto to Vila do Conde along the Senda Litoral, and then Vila do Conde to Rates to Barcelos to Fernanda's) is also very nice. You get the nice walk out of Porto along the river and the coast and a taste of the seaside with its boardwalks. But you still get the nice albergue in Sao Pedro de Rates (one of the oldest in Portugal) and the nice town of Barcelos (home of the famous rooster) on your way to Fernanda's. I can't compare it to the other two, though, because it is the only route I have taken - so far.

 

[Former member 22438]

I would love to know, Albertinho, which route you preferred to Casa Fernanda--Porto to Viana do Castello to Balugaes vis bus OR straight walk from Porto to Sao Pedro de Rates - Barcelos - to Fernanda's?

My favorite is the Coastal
Porto Matosinhos, Angeiras , Vila do Conde or Póvoa de Varzim, Esposende -Chafé , Viana do Castelo, Vila Praia de Âncora, Vila Nova de Cerveira and Valença do Minho.

On this vid you can see the trip along the coast to Fernanda and on to Valença do Minho last year.

The first frame shows Jacinto, Fernanda's husband
Bom caminho

 

[dreaminggypsy]

It depends how long you want to follow the coast.
I did it several times by walking from Porto to Viana do Castello and then took public transport (the bus ) to Balugães and walked the last 3 kms to Fernanda.
Also walked from Porto to São Pedro de Rates and Barcelos to Fernanda-the central caminho and took the train from Barosellos (Fernanda's husband took me there by car) and took the train to Viana do Castelo and continued from there on the Coastal caminho
Either from the coastal or the central caminho the distance to the northern outskirts of Pontevedra where the Variante Espiritual starts , counted from casa da Fernanda is about 100 kms

Albertinho-Would you be able to make a reservation for my husband and myself for the 15th of April? We would like a double bed..or a room with two twins. Thank you. Tammi and Dave Clancy

 

[dreaminggypsy]

Albertinho-Would you be able to make a reservation for my husband and myself for the 15th of April? We would like a double bed..or a room with two twins. Thank you. Tammi and Dave Clancy

At Casa Fernanda..to clarify. Thanks.

 

[Rachel from Seattle]

At Casa Fernanda..to clarify. Thanks.

I called there directly, spoke English with Fernanda and it was easy to make the reservation. Good luck.

 

[dreaminggypsy]

I called there directly, spoke English with Fernanda and it was easy to make the reservation. Good luck.

Rachel-Good morning. Did you call on Whats App?

 

[Rachel from Seattle]

Rachel-Good morning. Did you call on Whats App?

Yes

 

[Vacajoe]

I reserved beds by email - fast and easy process!

 

[dreaminggypsy]

Thanks, I am giving email a try. Having issues with Whatsapp...I had to invite them? So, we will see if they respond to either my email or my whatsapp invite.

 

[dreaminggypsy]

She responded on messaging through Whatsapp. Thank you. She has reserved our spots.

 

[ElCee]

My favorite is the Coastal
Porto Matosinhos, Angeiras , Vila do Conde or Póvoa de Varzim, Esposende -Chafé , Viana do Castelo, Vila Praia de Âncora, Vila Nova de Cerveira and Valença do Minho.

On this vid you can see the trip along the coast to Fernanda and on to Valença do Minho last year.

The first frame shows Jacinto, Fernanda's husband
Bom caminho

Hi Albertinho, I hope you don't mind me picking your brain. You know this area so well and I am thinking of a slight variation to one of the routes you suggest. My rough plan looks like this.

Porto - Matosinhos
Matosinhos - Vila do Conde
Vila de Conde - Rates - Arcos - Barcelos
Barcelos - Casa Fernanda
Casa Fernanda - Ponte de Lima
Ponte de Lima - back to the Coastal path at Viana do Castelo - is there a path or a bus or train?
Viana do Castelo - Caminha
Caminha - Oia
Oia - Baiona
Baiona - Vigo
Vigo - Ponte Vedra
Ponte Vedra - Armentiera
Armentiera - Vilanova de Arousa
Vilanova de Arousa - Padron
Padron - Santiago

 

[Former member 22438]

So

Hi Albertinho, I hope you don't mind me picking your brain. You know this area so well and I am thinking of a slight variation to one of the routes you suggest. My rough plan looks like this.

Porto - Matosinhos
Matosinhos - Vila do Conde
Vila de Conde - Rates - Arcos - Barcelos
Barcelos - Casa Fernanda
Casa Fernanda - Ponte de Lima
Ponte de Lima - back to the Coastal path at Viana do Castelo - is there a path or a bus or train?
Viana do Castelo - Caminha
Caminha - Oia
Oia - Baiona
Baiona - Vigo
Vigo - Ponte Vedra
Ponte Vedra - Armentiera
Armentiera - Vilanova de Arousa
Vilanova de Arousa - Padron
Padron - Santiago

sorry I missed your message last sunday due to busy times .
your plan looks good so far but if I were you I should stay two nights at Fernanda’s
There is a bus from Ponte de Lima to Viana do Castelo but it does not go very regular. There isno waymarked path only a busy road , not pleasant to walk.
so walk the 14 kms from Fernanda to Ponte de Lima without backpack.
Enjoy the place , have a lunch get your stamp at the tourist info ( nice place in a tower )
and walk back in opposite direction - the blue waymarkers in the direction of Fátima- or find the bus back to Vitorino de Piães or a taxi to Fernanda. The last option I should do.
Next day ask Jacinto to take you to the railwaystation in Barroselas ( Not Barcelos) Where he works and take the train to Viana do Castelo Outside the station you’ll find the waymarked coastal route.
If you like I can make a reservation for you at Fernanda’s. Send me a pm.

 

[auburnfive]

On your itinerary Vigo to Pontevedra is a very long walk, I’d suggest breaking that day in 2 with a stop in Redondela.

 

[ElCee]

On your itinerary Vigo to Pontevedra is a very long walk, I’d suggest breaking that day in 2 with a stop in Redondela.

Yes, that's a long one. I will re-jig the plan. Thanks!

Liz

 

[ElCee]

So

sorry I missed your message last sunday due to busy times .
your plan looks good so far but if I were you I should stay two nights at Fernanda’s
There is a bus from Ponte de Lima to Viana do Castelo but it does not go very regular. There isno waymarked path only a busy road , not pleasant to walk.
so walk the 14 kms from Fernanda to Ponte de Lima without backpack.
Enjoy the place , have a lunch get your stamp at the tourist info ( nice place in a tower )
and walk back in opposite direction - the blue waymarkers in the direction of Fátima- or find the bus back to Vitorino de Piães or a taxi to Fernanda. The last option I should do.
Next day ask Jacinto to take you to the railwaystation in Barroselas ( Not Barcelos) Where he works and take the train to Viana do Castelo Outside the station you’ll find the waymarked coastal route.
If you like I can make a reservation for you at Fernanda’s. Send me a pm.

Albertino, there's no need to apologize! You're so generous with your time. I love reading your posts.

re. 2 nights at Fernanda's with day trip to Ponte de Lima
I have to talk this over with my walking partner. Doubling back bothers me. I know it's silly! Do we need to book with Fernanda soon?

Thank you so much for your help!

Liz

 

[ElCee]

Albertino, there's no need to apologize! You're so generous with your time. I love reading your posts.

re. 2 nights at Fernanda's with day trip to Ponte de Lima
I have to talk this over with my walking partner. Doubling back bothers me. I know it's silly! Do we need to book with Fernanda soon?

Thank you so much for your help!

Liz

I just found this trail which seems to follow the Lima river. Is this an option?

Ecovia do Rio Lima / Walking

On the banks of the Lima River, the ecotrail stretches about 70 kilometres through the municipalities of Viana do Castelo, Ponte de Lima, Ponte da Barca and Arcos de Valdevez. Rural roadways beside rivers, through meadows, past fishing points along the lamprey spawning grounds and wooden...

www.portuguesetrails.com

 

[Former member 22438]

Albertino, there's no need to apologize! You're so generous with your time. I love reading your posts.

re. 2 nights at Fernanda's with day trip to Ponte de Lima
I have to talk this over with my walking partner. Doubling back bothers me. I know it's silly! Do we need to book with Fernanda soon?

Thank you so much for your help!

Liz

Depending on when you go- I missed that - During the caminho season from about eastern till end of September it can be very busy at Fernanda‘s. She has 20 beds available . So the sooner you book , the more chance you have.
I booked for friends half a year ago to be sure they will have a bed for 4 of them coming May. It is a popular place .

 

[Former member 22438]

I just found this trail which seems to follow the Lima river. Is this an option?

Ecovia do Rio Lima / Walking

On the banks of the Lima River, the ecotrail stretches about 70 kilometres through the municipalities of Viana do Castelo, Ponte de Lima, Ponte da Barca and Arcos de Valdevez. Rural roadways beside rivers, through meadows, past fishing points along the lamprey spawning grounds and wooden...

www.portuguesetrails.com

Interesting . This is new to me. They did the same along the Minho river- an ecopath- so that is an option.
but I prefer myself to turn back to Fernanda -as I did several times- and stay another night and travel to Viana do Castelo by public transport. But these are my 2 cents

 

[ElCee]

Depending on when you go- I missed that - During the caminho season from about eastern till end of September it can be very busy at Fernanda‘s. She has 20 beds available . So the sooner you book , the more chance you have.
I booked for friends half a year ago to be sure they will have a bed for 4 of them coming May. It is a popular place .

We should be at Casa Fernanda's Oct 1 or 2nd. Im hesitant to book because this is our first Camino and I really don't know how we will do. I have us in Matosinhos the first night because I wanted to make it an easy day and I really want to go to the market and have some fresh seafood! Then it seems like we head into an area with limited accommodation choices. My walking partner will be transferring her bag so we are limited to private places. Does Parque de Campismo de Vila do Conde have 2 bed campers? We will share rooms but would rather not share beds.

 

[Former member 22438]

in october coming you will be able to book a bed at Fernanda‘s. You can book already to be sure. No need to pay anything in advance because Fernanda’s is donativo except for 2 privat rooms in her house.
The parque de Campismo in Vila do Conde has small summerhouses for 2 persons
we stayed there once and it was great. I can’t remember the house had 2 bedrooms - it is too long ago but look at their website . They definitely have information
Alternative is the Orbitur Camping in Angeiras. We were there too once and they rented small summerhouses with two bedrooms