Length of first day to Vila de Conde

[cardozohughes]

The first day out of Porto seems long. Why do many books recommend going all the way to Vila de Conde? Thoughts and recommendations?

Thanks,
Laurie

 

[woody66]

Hi Laurie!
The stages are just suggestions you don't have to walk that far!
For my first day out of Porto on the Coastal i stopped in Cabo Do Mundo at Caravela guest house (host even took me to the supermarket in her car. )17km from Porto and split the stage. I paid for a room with shared bathroom but as i was only guest i got the whole ground floor apartment for the same price.
Caravela is right on the path.
Woody

 

[lettinggo]

The first day out of Porto seems long. Why do many books recommend going all the way to Vila de Conde? Thoughts and recommendations?

Thanks,
Laurie

Some people choose to take the public transportation a little bit of the way, as the lodging options are "limited", and walking in urban areas can be a bit boring.

I hope this helps.

Lettinggo

 

[Flog]

The suggested 30km stage might feel a bit long for some, especially if it's on day one. But I love that walk from the Ribeira straight out to the ocean at Foz and up the coast along promenades, coastal villages and boardwalks, a good feed of sardines and a cold beer or two from any number of places along the way. I've walked it more than a dozen times, sometimes just for something to do when visiting Porto.

If you plan walking it in one go, I would suggest (getting your credential and sello at the cathedral out of the way the day before) starting out at first light to enjoy it at your own pace.

 

[SFGfan]

Shorter destination is Labruge. Via the coastal route. 26K/16M.

 

[trecile]

You don't have to follow the guidebook stages. Stop at Labruge or Praia de Angeiras.

 

[Walli Walker]

We walked along the river then up to Matosinhos on the first day then to Vila de Conde on day two. A nice, easy start.

 

[trecile]

We walked along the river then up to Matosinhos on the first day then to Vila de Conde on day two. A nice, easy start.

And even though I'm not religious, I like the connection of the ancient cathedral in Porto to the Camino.

 

[dougfitz]

Why do many books recommend going all the way to Vila de Conde?

I have often wondered this about guidebook stages, and over the years observed two basic approaches:

• chapter organisation by stages. Brierley takes this approach. His CF guide seems to do this on the mystical basis of taking 33 days to walk from SJPP to SDC.
• chapter organisation by regions. This approach is taken by Raimund Joos in his CF guide. From memory, Alison Raju takes a similar approach in her guidebooks.

Mind you, there are many other structures.

In the case of Vila de Conde, it appears to be where the Camino Portuguese Coastal and Senda Littoral come together, and it also seems to be one of the places where one could choose to rejoin the Central by walking across to Rates. As others have said, there is nothing that compels you to choose it to end your day. Choose somewhere that suits you, not the guidebook author.

 

[David Tallan]

The first day out of Porto seems long. Why do many books recommend going all the way to Vila de Conde? Thoughts and recommendations?

Thanks,
Laurie

It's long but fairly flat. Different guides have different conceptions of how long a day should be. And they tend to like ending days on towns with more infrastructure and services.

That said, I ended my own first day at Vila Chã because I didn't walk that far. Vila Chã has a nice albergue with a small museum to the local fishing industry on the grounds. Others like to end at Vila do Conde but break the first stage into two days, stopping at Matosinhos for an even easier start to their Camino.