Changing from coastal route to central route at Vila do Conde

[SusanVenner]

I would like to leave Porto on costal route as far as Vilado Condo and then get on to the central route to Pontevedra. How easy is it to find the route at Vila do Conda to get on to the central route?

 

[Flog]

When you cross the bridge at Vila do Conde, you are taking a right and roughly following the Rio Ave for the first few km. There is one short road stretch that is quite dangerous with no footpaths and nowhere to get out of the way of traffic but otherwise it's a pleasant enough walk to Arcos where it picks up the central way.
I took a photo out the plane window last week, here:

 

[Flog]

Here's the full photo to give it context: it shows the coastline from Vila do Conde to Povoa de Varzim. If you have time, or are staying in Vila do Conde, do check out the beautiful aquaduct!

 

[Corned Beef]

Open Street Map has both routes marked in red.

You can zoom in and out to see which roads you'll want to take. You might be better south of the river by going from Arvore Metro station to Vilarihno but it's a main road. Plenty of quieter side roads if you can navigate them.

OpenStreetMap

OpenStreetMap is a map of the world, created by people like you and free to use under an open license.

www.openstreetmap.org

 

[BobY333]

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/camino-portuguese-from-porto.77901/#post-1088398

This thread (assuming the link works!) discussed this question at length - I think you’d find it helpful!

Bom Caminho!

 

[Synnove]

Did that 2 weeks ago. I used the Wise pilgrim app. There are yellow arrows, but it is anyway good to have an app.. I did not pay enough attention, so got lost and added about 3 km to my walk that day. Many small roads and opportunities to get lost.

 

[Walter James Palmer]

Not too hard at all, and very well worth the effort. When all else fails (as it does sometimes), just remember that a smile and friendly word can easily get you pointed (often escorted) in the right direction again.

 

[SushiNinja]

I cover this a bit in my video on the Portuguese Camino -

 

[Lynne (USA/Crete Greece)]

Did that 2 weeks ago. I used the Wise pilgrim app. There are yellow arrows, but it is anyway good to have an app.. I did not pay enough attention, so got lost and added about 3 km to my walk that day. Many small roads and opportunities to get lost.

Did you use the pink route to Rates (not Arcos)? Thanks

 

[Synnove]

Did you use the pink route to Rates (not Arcos)? Thanks

Yes, the pink route from Vila do Conde to Rates.

 

[Amachant]

I cover this a bit in my video on the Portuguese Camino -

This video is wonderful. Make sure you have paper and pencil. He’s goes through the recommendations quite quickly.

 

[Former member 22438]

It is very simple to change from the Coastal to the Central route once arriving at Vila do Conde
Arriving in Vila do Conde , you see ahead a former monastry on top of a hill. You cannot miss it. Also in front of you is a river with a bridge
Walk over the bridge and directly turn to the right. Then you are on the waymarked path of the Central route direction São Pedro de Rates. You follow the river for a while untill you cross the metroline to Porto center and Póvoa da Varzim . The route to São Pedro de Rates is fully waymarked

alternative to São Pedro de Rates by following the antique aquaduct are shown here above in this thread

if you want to keep on the Coastal here, go over the bridge, turn right and then inmediately right again so you go UNDERNEATH the bridge to the other side of the road and follow the yellow waymarkers into the center of Vila do Conde and Póvoa da Varzim and on to Esposende.

 

[Amachant]

Albertinho - thank you for the clear directions. BTW, have you taken this route? Is there a lot of road walking? I’ve seen a few YouTube videos of a few pilgrims challenged with narrow road walking and close shaves with cars & trucks.

 

[Lynne (USA/Crete Greece)]

It is very simple to change from the Coastal to the Central route once arriving at Vila do Conde
Arriving in Vila do Conde , you see ahead a former monastry on top of a hill. You cannot miss it. Also in front of you is a river with a bridge
Walk over the bridge and directly turn to the right. Then you are on the waymarked path of the Central route direction São Pedro de Rates. You follow the river for a while untill you cross the metroline to Porto center and Póvoa da Varzim . The route to São Pedro de Rates is fully waymarked

alternative to São Pedro de Rates by following the antique aquaduct are shown here above in this thread

if you want to keep on the Coastal here, go over the bridge, turn right and then inmediately right again so you go UNDERNEATH the bridge to the other side of the road and follow the yellow waymarkers into the center of Vila do Conde and Póvoa da Varzim and on to Esposende.

Hi Albertinho, the first part of your response - goes to Rates via Arcos????

 

[auburnfive]

If you go to the tourist office in Vila do Conde they will give you a very clear old fashioned paper map from Vila do Conde through Rates to Barcelos.

 

[David Tallan]

Albertinho - thank you for the clear directions. BTW, have you taken this route? Is there a lot of road walking? I’ve seen a few YouTube videos of a few pilgrims challenged with narrow road walking and close shaves with cars & trucks.

I don't know about Albertinho, but I took this route on my 2018 Camino. I didn't notice it as especially dangerous compared to the Frances (which had been my previous Camino experience). Maybe I just happened to be there or a low traffic day, or a time of day with less traffic.

 

[Former member 22438]

Hi Albertinho, the first part of your response - goes to Rates via Arcos????

It passes Arcos If you want to go through Arcos, follow the Aquaduct route as described by others in this thread

 

[Former member 22438]

Albertinho - thank you for the clear directions. BTW, have you taken this route? Is there a lot of road walking? I’ve seen a few YouTube videos of a few pilgrims challenged with narrow road walking and close shaves with cars & trucks.

Yes I walked this route as described in John Brierley’s guide and yes there is a lot of roadwalking on the Portuguese central route as far as Barcelos.
if you want to avoid that, keep following the Coastal.

 

[Former member 22438]

If you go to the tourist office in Vila do Conde they will give you a very clear old fashioned paper map from Vila do Conde through Rates to Barcelos.

Then first you have to go into Vila do Conde ( remember over the bridge , right, right and UNDERNEATH the bridge). The tourist info is in the center and supplies you a stamp if desired
After being there you have to go back to the bride and follow the river on the original waymarked route to São Pedro de Rates ofr follow the map to the Aquaduct and the alternative way to Arcos

 

[Former member 22438]

I don't know about Albertinho, but I took this route on my 2018 Camino. I didn't notice it as especially dangerous compared to the Frances (which had been my previous Camino experience). Maybe I just happened to be there or a low traffic day, or a time of day with less traffic.

Maybe you did it on a weekend day or a holiday but around São Pedro de Rates is some transport with trucks and trailers so you can meet them as we did.

 

[David Tallan]

Maybe you did it on a weekend day or a holiday but around São Pedro de Rates is some transport with trucks and trailers so you can meet them as we did.

Tuesday October 2, 2018.

Most of the concerns I've heard have been on the section from Vila do Conde to Arcos, not after Arcos when you are already on the Central.

This is a photo from the road walking with the blind corners. As you can see, traffic wasn't so heavy that day.

 

[Former member 22438]

Nice picture. Typical landscape of the northern Portuguese districts
we wore fluorescent safety vests and had my poles ready to force these very kind but like Formula 1 driving Portuguese to the middle of the road.

 

[lavender girl]

Open Street Map has both routes marked in red.

You can zoom in and out to see which roads you'll want to take. You might be better south of the river by going from Arvore Metro station to Vilarihno but it's a main road. Plenty of quieter side roads if you can navigate them.

OpenStreetMap

OpenStreetMap is a map of the world, created by people like you and free to use under an open license.

www.openstreetmap.org

Excellent street map thank you for your help.