Continue with coastal camino

Wandalina

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Portuguese in September '18
Primitivo in September '19

• Apr 24, 2023

• #1

Hey everyone. Im here in esposende. Anyone who has walked to the full coastal im looking for advice. Does it becomes wilder less developed more natural or will i continue walking through towns. I have to say im missing the lack of nature and variation of landscape that i crave. I dont think i can do many more days of boardwalks and roads.

This my 4th camino and regrettably im feeling a little disheartened. Not much socialising or chats which has come as a bit of a shock

 

Last edited: Apr 24, 2023

klimmo

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Mozarabe: nov ‘19
Português coastal: oct-nov ‘21

• Apr 24, 2023

• #2

Hi, I liked the coastal for that reason, long stretches in dunes, along the beach, few people around. I did enjoy it better after Esposende (as you are basically still on the outskirts of the greater Porto area). The boardwalk stays because it allows you to walk through very fragile coastal landscapes, but it was wilder.
I seem to be drawn to the lonely and desolate so I loved it (and it being covid october I was sometimes the only one in the albergues ). I think the central will give you more of a traditional camino feel (my friend did that and she loved it for exactly the many new friends that she made).

 

Antonius Vaessen

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2015-2016 VdlPlata - Sanabres
2016.Primitivo
2017 Salvador
2018 Norte (to Sobrado)
2019 Norte again

• Apr 24, 2023

• #3

I changed over to the central route in Vila de Conde. To be honest I did not like it very much : too much asphalt, cobblestones and many times very little space for walkers amidst many cars. Some stretches were nice, but not "outstanding" The variante espiritual after Pontevedra was beautifull though

 

roving_rufus

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Frances (2013-2015) Portugues (2017-2019) Via Francigena (2018-??) Camino from Ireland (2020-??)

• Apr 24, 2023

• #4

I changed over at Caminha heading up the river to Valenca

 

F

Former member 22438

Guest

• Apr 24, 2023

• #5

I walked the full coastal to Vigo and except for one “mountain” at A Guarda in Spain it is mainly following the Atlantic Ocean .
in most places you keep on going along the coast there is nothing wild.
you will pass nice places like Vila do Conde, Póvoa da Varzim, Esposende, Viana do Castelo, Vila Praia de Âncora, Caminha, A Guarda, Oia, Baiona to Vigo.

 

Last edited by a moderator: Apr 24, 2023

P

Perambulating Griffin

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2022

• Apr 24, 2023

• #6

For the people who live along a coast (almost anywhere), it is a source of food and commerce, dotted with ports of entry for travellers of whatever stripe.
We would do well to remember that these routes exist to move people from place to place, not to please our aesthetic sensibilities and *every* route will have its industrial sections at some point. Some routes have less (but only if we remove farming from the equation, and I'm not sure that's an accurate subtraction).
Nothing wrong with leaving the coastal route and heading inland. I did it because I am from a coast and so the ocean isn't really *new* to me (much as I love it). I adored the central route but it too has industry (strip mines for granite, wineries, general commercial transport...).
It helps to remember that we are in a region where the land and water uses are determined by those who live there and that our wants are secondary to their needs.

 

Wandalina

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Portuguese in September '18
Primitivo in September '19

• Apr 24, 2023

• #7

Perambulating Griffin said:

For the people who live along a coast (almost anywhere), it is a source of food and commerce, dotted with ports of entry for travellers of whatever stripe.
We would do well to remember that these routes exist to move people from place to place, not to please our aesthetic sensibilities and *every* route will have its industrial sections at some point. Some routes have less (but only if we remove farming from the equation, and I'm not sure that's an accurate subtraction).
Nothing wrong with leaving the coastal route and heading inland. I did it because I am from a coast and so the ocean isn't really *new* to me (much as I love it). I adored the central route but it too has industry (strip mines for granite, wineries, general commercial transport...).
It helps to remember that we are in a region where the land and water uses are determined by those who live there and that our wants are secondary to their needs.

Click to expand...

Thank you that's extremely helpful of you to say I really appreciate your help

 

P

Perambulating Griffin

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2022

• Apr 24, 2023

• #8

Wandalina said:

Thank you that's extremely helpful of you to say I really appreciate your help

Click to expand...

Well, I trust that you will find your way to a path that provides what you need, and I'm pleased that my post did not offend... it was really meant for the unknown future readers who might be shocked that caminos are not nature hikes.... Better to know what one is going to face, and the context.
Wishing you a very satisfying journey on whichever path takes you to Santiago.

 

happymarkos

HappyMark

Time of past OR future Camino

2023. Finish the VDLP. Zamora to Santiago.

• Apr 25, 2023

• #9

If it’s not too late perhaps catch a bus to join the VDLP. It has many very rural areas and lonely stretches, and wonderful history