Fisherman's Trail from Porto Covo (north > south) in January 7ish Days?

[pilgrimpleterski]

My husband and I walked other Camino routes (French Way from Leon, Portuguese Central and Coastal) and part of the Via Francigena in Italy. We hike a lot at home i.e., we're walkers.

We're thinking of starting the Fisherman's Trail in Porto Covo in mid January, probably walking 5-7 nights. I admit, I'm a little nervous about the sand/dune walking and rain. We had a LOT of rain in Galicia, and used to that, but I'm a little nervous about rain/wind AND sand walking. Cool and cloudy weather is fine (even preferable!) I know it would be better to wait until April, but January is the best time for us to walk right now. I checked https://caminoweather.com and it looks quite do-able.

We also considered the Via de la Plata from Seville around the same time period, but drawn to the ocean and coastal scenery (as long as the weather doesn't blow us into the sea) : )

I planned to pre-book accomodation, as it seems that some places are closed for the off season and I prefer not to worry about finding a place to stay.

Does anyone have any experience walking the Fisherman's Trail in January? Any other recommended routes in southern Europe?

Many thanks in advance!

 

[andycohn]

I walked it in April - May myself, so can't speak about Janaury. But as to the sand, you might consider starting a day or two south of Porto Covo, if you're only walking 5 - 7 days. Sand is deepest those first two days. I was skeptical about walking it because we live by spectacular coast ourselves (northern California) and the coast along the Camino Portuguese had bored me, but it really is wonderful. Can't beat the food, either.

In southern Europe I also hugely enjoyed the Magna Via Francigena, which crosses Sicily from Palermo to Agrigento. You'll only see the sea in the beginning and the end, but I found the rugged scenery to be magnificent, and the temps. should be warm enough. Like elsewhere, rain could be a problem. Not touristed at all, but very welcoming small towns along the way. At least travelers' Italian would be helpful. @jungleboy has a great descriptive thread:
Thread 'Magna Via Francigena - April 2024'
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/magna-via-francigena-april-2024.86324/.

He also has a good thread on the Rota Vicentina, if you haven't seen it already:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/rota-vicentina-april-2022.73995/

 

[naplesdon]

The best person to answer this will be Jungleboy. He has walked it. My experience with living in Portugal during the winter is there are storms and cold fronts that blow in off of the Atlantic that time of year so expect rain and less than temperate walking conditions.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I walked the Fisherman's Trail in April, taking it in ten slow days which were perfect for me. We had delightful perfect weather except for one day. @andycohn is correct that the Portuguese Camino on the coast north of Porto does not compare to the beauty of the FT coast on the high cliffs. He is also correct when he says the first two days out of Porto Covo are very strenuous walking in deep sand. When I started out I was wondering what I'd gotten myself into!

 

[pilgrimpleterski]

Thanks, all, super helpful! Yes, I read that about the first two days out of Porto Covo, with the sand. I also read they are some of the most beautiful, when walking SOBO.

 

[pilgrimpleterski]

@andycohn, thanks for the tip on Magna Via Francigena! I didn't know about that route

 

[Camino Chrissy]

In southern Europe I also hugely enjoyed the Magna Via Francigena, which crosses Sicily from Palermo to Agrigento. You'll only see the sea in the beginning and the end, but I found the rugged scenery to be magnificent, and the temps. should be warm enough. Like elsewhere, rain could be a problem. Not touristed at all, but very welcoming small towns along the way. At least travelers' Italian would be helpful. @jungleboy has a great descriptive thread:
Thread 'Magna Via Francigena - April 2024'
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/magna-via-francigena-april-2024.86324/.

He also has a good thread on the Rota Vicentina, if you haven't seen it already:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/rota-vicentina-april-2022.73995/

Yes, @jungleboy has a detailed account while he walked this route in Sicily. I remember, Andy, that you were not far behind him.

 

[andycohn]

Yes, @jungleboy has a detailed account while he walked this route in Sicily. I remember, Andy, that you were not far behind him.

Yes, we were a few days behind @jungleboy on the MVF, and about a month behind him on the RV / Fisherman's Trail. Come spring, I'm aiming to be about 10 months behind him on the Via Ellenica. The only thing I'm not behind him in is years, where he's got a lot of catching up to do.

And I love being correct! Doesn't happen enough. Thanks!

 

[pelerine]

My family invited me to join them on their walk in October. I accepted and ended up with a fatigue fracture in my left foot. The two younger generations (late fifties and early teens) found it hard, but did not really have a problem. There were plenty of older people too, but all of those had opted for luggage transport. Which I had not because I had not realised the strain it would have on my feet and had forgotten to what extent my pack made me topheavy and in danger to lose my equilibrium ( which I did not in fact lose!). After the first two days I did roughly the second half of the daily distance by taxi while the others walked, each carrying their pack, even the “little ones”. And then walked in parallel to the coast path on a “normal” path (GR 11?). In spite of it all I found it a magnificent walk, just “know thy limits”!

PS Weather magnificent lractically all along
Edit: practically, not Iractically!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

The only thing I'm not behind him in is years, where he's got a lot of catching up to do.

Ain't that the truth! @jungleboy won't be able to catch up to me, even though I have been slowing down!

 

[towanda1961]

My husband and I walked other Camino routes (French Way from Leon, Portuguese Central and Coastal) and part of the Via Francigena in Italy. We hike a lot at home i.e., we're walkers.

We're thinking of starting the Fisherman's Trail in Porto Covo in mid January, probably walking 5-7 nights. I admit, I'm a little nervous about the sand/dune walking and rain. We had a LOT of rain in Galicia, and used to that, but I'm a little nervous about rain/wind AND sand walking. Cool and cloudy weather is fine (even preferable!) I know it would be better to wait until April, but January is the best time for us to walk right now. I checked https://caminoweather.com and it looks quite do-able.

We also considered the Via de la Plata from Seville around the same time period, but drawn to the ocean and coastal scenery (as long as the weather doesn't blow us into the sea) : )

I planned to pre-book accomodation, as it seems that some places are closed for the off season and I prefer not to worry about finding a place to stay.

Does anyone have any experience walking the Fisherman's Trail in January? Any other recommended routes in southern Europe?

Many thanks in advance!

Hi. I live along the Fisherman’s Trail and January can be a beautiful time here with warm days and sunny skies. Of course anything is possible, but we’ve had loads of rain and wind in April some years! Definitely book ahead, but come and enjoy the incredible scenery. I recommend gaiters for the sand and enjoy walking with only a day pack-use the luggage transport!

 

[LTfit]

Year to year can change but I've been along the Fisherman's Trail for several days January 2023 and the days were mostly sunny. I've also walked from Santiago do Cacem to Porto Covo and continued south to the lighthouse in March back in 2016 and had a wonderful time with sun on my face.

I didn't find those days from Porto Covo in the sand difficult but I may be in the minority