Coastal Camino from Porto

[Interpreter]

Is September a good time to walk the coastal camino from Porto to Santiago. Can you tell me anything about the topography? My husband and I have walked the 500 miles on the French Route in 2015. How does the Portuguese route compare to that? We are 64 and 73 years old.
Thank you!

 

[KariC]

It's a wonderful time! My understanding is that it's flatter than the CF. Cobblestones got to my feet, but very little up and down.

 

[Rainerbernd]

As KariC wrote it´s very little up and down, especially along the coast. The Central Way is a bit different, but the highest point is only 430 m above sea level - with a bit more ups and downs. In September the weather is mostly on the dry side and not that hot like in July and August. Delicious fruits like grapes along your way.

 

[cecilie@thewolery]

Is September a good time to walk the coastal camino from Porto to Santiago. Can you tell me anything about the topography? My husband and I have walked the 500 miles on the French Route in 2015. How does the Portuguese route compare to that? We are 64 and 73 years old.
Thank you!

Hello, I walked this route a few years ago and found it absolutely lovely. There are not too many ups and downs, and people are so friendly and the food is good. Fresh fish! Its very exciting crossing the boarder into Spain, and lots of amazing food.

 

[Margaret Spencer]

As mentioned above the route is mostly flat. The coastal route is stunning! Fabulous boardwalks that are easy on the legs and feet, well supplied with places to stop and refresh, interpretive signs in places, water is cold, cold, cold but I swam. There are, of course, some hills but they are not long nor do the rise very sharply. It also depends on how mush hill walking you are used to. The only climb that "got" to me was as I walked out of Redondela on the way to Arcade but it was just short and sharp. Also on the final climb into Santiago seemed to go on a bit, not difficult just long, but then I was feeling a bit of regret that my amazing adventure was nearly over. I had achieved my goal to complete a Camino before my 70th birthday (just). There is an amazing climb north of Mougas that is so interesting that no one should miss it (Camino Portola?) and on into Baiona which is a stunning little town!! I walked from Lisbon through end August through September leaving Porto 16 September. I had six hours of rain one day in Porto where I was resting. I later had three mornings of mist which lent a magical aspect to the start of the day but it cleared within a couple of hours. I stuck to the coastal route as I am a sea sort of person and I was never disappointed. Go for it!

 

[Interpreter]

Thank you everyone for your input! How about lodging? Albergues, pensiones? Is there a need to make reservations?

 

[Rainerbernd]

Olá,

in September there is no need to make reservations. The holidays in Portugal and Spain end on 18th of September.

 

[Interpreter]

Thanks! We used the John Brierly book during our French Route walk. Is there a comparable one for the Portuguese?

 

[Rainerbernd]

Thanks! We used the John Brierly book during our French Route walk. Is there a comparable one for the Portuguese?

Olá,

John has a nice little book with maps in 6 idioms for the Caminho Português. Well, because the way is well marked you don´t need a big guide book. John has done a good job.

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Hola

There are two routes which are often referred to as the "coastal route" - one is indeed that, the traditional pilgrim route from Oporto Cathedral. The other, the Senda Litoral, is a variant along the coast as local authorities have developed sea front walks. I've written a detailed guide to both with walking notes and accommodation - this should be available soon from the CSJ www.csj.org.uk

Buen Camino

John

 

[cecilie@thewolery]

We did not book in advance, but one night the hostel we were staying in was full and there were still more people coming....so they went and got more mattresses, and piled people together in the living room. It worked just fine. In most places I have been they have accommodated everyone who turns up. My friend did not sleep well that night though as she was in the room with the snorer....but that could happen anywhere.
You could phone one day ahead if you wanted.
Have a great Camino!

 

[jsalt]

one night the hostel we were staying in was full and there were still more people coming....so they went and got more mattresses, and piled people together in the living room. It worked just fine. In most places I have been they have accommodated everyone who turns up.

I am very surprised to hear this as not many hostels do this anymore because of “health and safety”. I personally go cold at the thought of trying to get out of a burning dormitory when the total floor space between me and the door is covered with mattresses and gear.
Jill