Descent into Portomarin

[SallGar]

My wife and I (both mid-70’s) have been surprised by how treacherous some of the descents have been. Steep trails that have washouts, leaving deep ruts and narrow pathways and sharp, jagged rocks - lots of them!
How is the descent into Portomarin?
We have watched dozens of YouTube videos and they’re always positive, never addressed how steep and slippery things can become.
We would appreciate an accurate view of the descent into Portomarin from anyone willing to help us out.
Thank you.

 

[Malachiuri]

Last year when I was there, signage had been posted letting pilgrims know about the 2 different routes into Portomarin, one quite nice and one very, very rugged. You should have no issues picking the correct route for you.

Have fun!

 

[Anniesantiago]

My wife and I (both mid-70’s) have been surprised by how treacherous some of the descents have been. Steep trails that have washouts, leaving deep ruts and narrow pathways and sharp, jagged rocks - lots of them!
How is the descent into Portomarin?
We have watched dozens of YouTube videos and they’re always positive, never addressed how steep and slippery things can become.
We would appreciate an accurate view of the descent into Portomarin from anyone willing to help us out.
Thank you.

I prefer the old route.
To me, though steep, it's safer.
Someone posted a photo of the new path in a group I saw yesterday.
I'll see if I can find it.

Here is a video I found:
Descent into Portomarin

 

[CWBuff]

Yeah it's steep, rocky and narrow. Yet nothing that holds a candle to Zubiri. Alto Perdon & Molinaseca IMHO.
The good news is that there are 2 more variations, slightly longer but less difficult.
Take your pick.
Good luck and Buen Camino

 

[jcat]

As others have said, one approach into Portomarin is more steep and rugged.

When you get close to Portomarin, there are two options. To the LEFT is the more rugged route, and to the RIGHT is the less difficult route. I believe it is the same distance for both. Buen Camino!

 

[isawtman]

I took the steep route, but I didn't think it was all that bad. But if there are tons of High School Kids they may make you feel a little rushed. I have the steep route documented here:

Go to the 23 minute mark in the video

 

[LindaH]

My wife and I (both mid-70’s) have been surprised by how treacherous some of the descents have been. Steep trails that have washouts, leaving deep ruts and narrow pathways and sharp, jagged rocks - lots of them!
How is the descent into Portomarin?
We have watched dozens of YouTube videos and they’re always positive, never addressed how steep and slippery things can become.
We would appreciate an accurate view of the descent into Portomarin from anyone willing to help us out.
Thank you.

Take the right hand option. It is a steep descent but all paved - like walking down a steep quiet road or lane. I walked this in June this year - and it doesn’t even register alongside treacherous descents like Zubiri in wet weather, Alto del Perdon or - worst in my opinion - Rabanal to Molinaseca, especially after El Acebo.

 

[Threshold]

There’s an easy way to go. Took it last year. Start out on the left-hand trail. After a little ways you’ll see a small blacktop road branch off on the left. It’s quite pleasant and goes down to the road that goes along the river. Turn right and you’ll see the bridge shortly. This is all on your map app or google earth.

 

[Shazenalan]

Last year we turned around on the steep rugged route - in our 60’s - our knees found the steep wet rugged downs a bit treacherous - if it’s dry it would be more doable - but one twisted knee and …. Well you know - right?

 

[hokiebobwise]

As others have said, one approach into Portomarin is more steep and rugged.

When you get close to Portomarin, there are two options. To the LEFT is the more rugged route, and to the RIGHT is the less difficult route. I believe it is the same distance for both. Buen Camino!

I went left, more rugged, and darn near fell face forward. Honestly, I feel Saint James grabbed my pack and set me upright, no other reason for why I didn't face plant. This is one of the options where "right is right" is the rule to follow.

 

[Gringazolana]

The sign was kind of blurry and washed out a couple of months ago. Fortunately, I could make out that the path to the left had the word “experto” next to it. Not my arthritic knees!! I went to the right and even that was ouchie. I talked to some who went left and they regretted it. Buen camino!

 

[SallGar]

Many thanks to you all! We appreciate all your insights and will take the easier route when we arrive there. Buen Camino to you all!

 

[JustJack]

Yes, I was surprised by the challenges of some of the descents, with all the loose and sharp stones. I'd sometimes be soaked in sweat by the bottom, from the intense concentration needed to avoid twisting an ankle. I was well prepared for the climbs, as they are frequently discussed and blogged about. I actually found the climbs to be easier than anticipated. But few people talk about some of the descents and how treacherous they are!

 

[SallGar]

Yes, I was surprised by the challenges of some of the descents, with all the loose and sharp stones. I'd sometimes be soaked in sweat by the bottom, from the intense concentration needed to avoid twisting an ankle. I was well prepared for the climbs, as they are frequently discussed and blogged about. I actually found the climbs to be easier than anticipated. But few people talk about some of the descents and how treacherous they are!

So true! Thank you for joining the discussion.

 

[Isabelpilgrim]

My wife and I (both mid-70’s) have been surprised by how treacherous some of the descents have been. Steep trails that have washouts, leaving deep ruts and narrow pathways and sharp, jagged rocks - lots of them!
How is the descent into Portomarin?
We have watched dozens of YouTube videos and they’re always positive, never addressed how steep and slippery things can become.
We would appreciate an accurate view of the descent into Portomarin from anyone willing to help us out.
Thank you.

Take the road to the right, or the bike route, when it splits. The main route in the middle is a washout, it's like going through a canyon shoot toward the end. Starts out as anice enough trail. The route to the right is steep,but at least it's a road.

 

[Isabelpilgrim]

I went left, more rugged, and darn near fell face forward. Honestly, I feel Saint James grabbed my pack and set me upright, no other reason for why I didn't face plant. This is one of the options where "right is right" is the rule to follow.

I only made it down because a man suddenly appeared behind me and held my arm to guide me.

 

[KCJ]

My wife and I (both mid-70’s) have been surprised by how treacherous some of the descents have been. Steep trails that have washouts, leaving deep ruts and narrow pathways and sharp, jagged rocks - lots of them!
How is the descent into Portomarin?
We have watched dozens of YouTube videos and they’re always positive, never addressed how steep and slippery things can become.
We would appreciate an accurate view of the descent into Portomarin from anyone willing to help us out.
Thank you.

I went left down the “steps”

 

[tpmchugh]

My wife and I (both mid-70’s) have been surprised by how treacherous some of the descents have been. Steep trails that have washouts, leaving deep ruts and narrow pathways and sharp, jagged rocks - lots of them!
How is the descent into Portomarin?
We have watched dozens of YouTube videos and they’re always positive, never addressed how steep and slippery things can become.
We would appreciate an accurate view of the descent into Portomarin from anyone willing to help us out.
Thank you.

There are two routes down to portomarin. First two times I walked it, it was fairly decent descent. Third time, I got kinda lost in fog and came in by a different route. Because of the fog, I don't know where the second route deviates from first. Find my first trail and you will be grand. The second one is steep and rocky down the back of some buildings but is not as bad as the descent from perdón or down to Molinaseca. I was in my late 60s when I walked the second one and found it ok as long as you watch where you put your feet and use walking poles

 

[Bert45]

The first video mentioned in Anniesantiago's post (#3) does not show the really steep and difficult route into Portomarín. The last part, probably only 50 metres, is the only difficult part, but it is really, really difficult. This section begins at about 25 minutes into isawtman's video.

 

[howardd5]

My wife and I (both mid-70’s) have been surprised by how treacherous some of the descents have been. Steep trails that have washouts, leaving deep ruts and narrow pathways and sharp, jagged rocks - lots of them!
How is the descent into Portomarin?
We have watched dozens of YouTube videos and they’re always positive, never addressed how steep and slippery things can become.
We would appreciate an accurate view of the descent into Portomarin from anyone willing to help us out.
Thank you.you can always walk on the road , some switchbacks but doable

 

[aliciag56]

I remember the part that's crazy is very short and was doable for a portion sliding down on my butt.
What gave me more angst was crossing that stupid bridge....

 

[JesperK]

I have always gone left. To me going left is part of going into Portomarin. At the place where you choose there were two other pilgrims debating which way to go and they shouted to me to warn me. I just gave them a thumbs up - smiled and said buen camino.

 

[Former member 52467]

Go to the right! I had bad memories of descending through the steep rocky gully in 2016. This year, I went to the right, stayed on an old paved road, and have only good thoughts!

 

[MirtaC]

My wife and I (both mid-70’s) have been surprised by how treacherous some of the descents have been. Steep trails that have washouts, leaving deep ruts and narrow pathways and sharp, jagged rocks - lots of them!
How is the descent into Portomarin?
We have watched dozens of YouTube videos and they’re always positive, never addressed how steep and slippery things can become.
We would appreciate an accurate view of the descent into Portomarin from anyone willing to help us out.
Thank you.

Hi! There are 2 routes. The original, the most rugged, is the historical route. The less rugged is the complimentary route. I took the historical route after it had rained and a pilgrim was kind enough to help me down the slippery slope because it was not only slippery but it was so muddy that it was difficult to get any traction.

 

[MirtaC]

Hi! There are 2 routes. The original, the most rugged, is the historical route. The less rugged is the complimentary route. I took the historical route after it had rained and a pilgrim was kind enough to help me down the slippery slope because it was not only slippery but it was so muddy that it was difficult to get any traction.

Needless to say that was the worst of the Camino Frances. Luckily, we made it down in one piece

 

[freyam]

We mistakenly took the difficult route today. So happy my husband was there to guide me as my short legs could not make the giant step downs. A very tricky but short section indeed. Luckily we emerged unscathed.

 

[Kathy F.]

There’s an easy way to go. Took it last year. Start out on the left-hand trail. After a little ways you’ll see a small blacktop road branch off on the left. It’s quite pleasant and goes down to the road that goes along the river. Turn right and you’ll see the bridge shortly. This is all on your map app or google earth.

I believe this is the route suggested in the Brierly guidebook.

 

[CWBuff]

We mistakenly took the difficult route today. So happy my husband was there to guide me as my short legs could not make the giant step downs. A very tricky but short section indeed. Luckily we emerged unscathed.

And yet... here you are and you made it. IMHO, the "luck" has to do with taking it very easy and very slow. As mentioned before, all other descends are "just as tricky". No worries - use common sense...

Re: how many rooutes - folks say its 2, i remembered 3 and here is a link to photo someone took this past August. as you can see it is 3 ways: 3 Routes
The original (tough one) is in red and 2 variations - to the left and to the right

 

[JabbaPapa]

There are three ways into Portomarin (eh, actually four), but yes -- exactly this :

Go to the right!

You get a bit more tarmac, but your knees will be most grateful for it !!

 

[Threshold]

I believe this is the route suggested in the Brierly guidebook.

Cool! I’ll check it out.

 

[KiwiJohn]

My wife and I (both mid-70’s) have been surprised by how treacherous some of the descents have been. Steep trails that have washouts, leaving deep ruts and narrow pathways and sharp, jagged rocks - lots of them!
How is the descent into Portomarin?
We have watched dozens of YouTube videos and they’re always positive, never addressed how steep and slippery things can become.
We would appreciate an accurate view of the descent into Portomarin from anyone willing to help us out.
Thank you.

I took the tough way down. Why? because it was a challenge.
PS. I am 73 next month!

 

[Shazenalan]

My wife and I (both mid-70’s) have been surprised by how treacherous some of the descents have been. Steep trails that have washouts, leaving deep ruts and narrow pathways and sharp, jagged rocks - lots of them!
How is the descent into Portomarin?
We have watched dozens of YouTube videos and they’re always positive, never addressed how steep and slippery things can become.
We would appreciate an accurate view of the descent into Portomarin from anyone willing to help us out.
Thank you.

We are in our 60’s, we took the steeper route and turned back. The ‘steps’ are beyond my knees, and the rocks were wet, the path muddy. It was doable - if it had been dry I’d have done it for sure. We took the longer route and saved our legs for the stone steps up into Portomarin.

 

[KCJ]

My wife and I (both mid-70’s) have been surprised by how treacherous some of the descents have been. Steep trails that have washouts, leaving deep ruts and narrow pathways and sharp, jagged rocks - lots of them!
How is the descent into Portomarin?
We have watched dozens of YouTube videos and they’re always positive, never addressed how steep and slippery things can become.
We would appreciate an accurate view of the descent into Portomarin from anyone willing to help us out.
Thank you.

You have the option to go left or right. I went left. I slipped in the rain on the stone steps, fell and broke my hand. St. Jean Pied de Port to Portomarin. . . I could not finish.

 

[David Tallan]

You have the option to go left or right. I went left. I slipped in the rain on the stone steps, fell and broke my hand. St. Jean Pied de Port to Portomarin. . . I could not finish.

I'm sorry to hear that your Camino was cut short. If you decide to return and complete it, just bring back your credencial and get it stamped again in Portomarin (assuming you got it stamped there before you left. So long as your credencial is stamped where you stopped and again in the same place when you re-start, the Pilgrim Office considers it all one Camino.

 

[ShoshTrvls]

And yet... here you are and you made it. IMHO, the "luck" has to do with taking it very easy and very slow. As mentioned before, all other descends are "just as tricky". No worries - use common sense...

Re: how many rooutes - folks say its 2, i remembered 3 and here is a link to photo someone took this past August. as you can see it is 3 ways: 3 Routes
The original (tough one) is in red and 2 variations - to the left and to the right

I'm pretty sure we took the green one, which I guess very few people do. It was actually quite lovely.