How much sand?

[J.T. Turner]

Hello all!

2 weeks till my walk from Porto. I am thinking of the coastal route and am wondering how much actual beach walking there is as opposed to boardwalks/hard packed paths. (this is mostly for the leg out of Porto, I will rejoin the main Way a day or two in).

Thanks on advance, this Forum is a godsend!

Jtactor

 

[Former member 22438]

Not much sand. In fact you can avoid all the sand by walking on the wooden boardwalk and now and than following the tarmac as a detour parallel to the boardwalk

All we walked on sand is about a few hundred meters.
Later on in a kind of natural dune environs just before Vila do Conde you will encounter some dirt (sandy) tracks Not much anyway.
From Vila do Conde you will go to São Pedro de Rates en continue on the central route to Barcelos. Great walk. Bom caminho

 

[amancio]

The walk along the coast between River Douro and Vila do Conde can be tiring at places because the boardwalk is broken and you have to walk on sand (not long distances, anyway), and other times you will have to walk in land. There are some confusing bits, like when you pass Angeiras, you find arrows sending you inland, but after a while you stop seeing arrows. Also, the arrival in Vila do Conde is via tarmac.

I would avoid walking from Vila do Conde to San Pedro de Rates, it just tarmac and very tiring cobblestones (bar the last 800 meters), the traffic is atrocious at places, and there are no hard shoulders. This is a part to be avoided, in my opinion.

I just did that part about one month ago, if I had to do it again, I would walk down the river and then up the coast in Matosinhos, then take a bus or train to San Pedro de Rates or even Barcelos in order to avoid tarmac, traffic and cobblestones. Barcelos is a gorgeous town

 

[Mark Francis Auchincloss]

As much or as little sand as you want ! In between the wooden walkways,cycle lanes or other footpaths. I did a quick video of the Coastal Route

 

[alexwalker]

I did a quick video of the Coastal Route

You did much more: You convinced me, this very minute, that after I finish Astorga-SdC next year, I shall immediately travel down to Porto and do the Coastal route! Thanks a bunch for that video!

 

[AJ]

Great video! The coastal route looks more interesting than the inland route.

 

[J.T. Turner]

As much or as little sand as you want ! In between the wooden walkways,cycle lanes or other footpaths. I did a quick video of the Coastal Route

Wow fantastic! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Nick MJ]

What a great video! Was thinking about this route next year - this has clinched it for me! Thank you for sharing it.

 

[Mark Francis Auchincloss]

Thanks all ! Keeps me motivated to take more videos of the Caminos !!