looking for info/experiences on the Camino Portugués March/April

[Kerstinh47]

Hi! I've been in hiding while in transition - now in the very beginning stages of planning a second camino. YAY! First choice for this one (Porto - Santiago - Finesterre would be March/April time frame, but I am interested in reading about the pros/cons for various times of year on that particular route.
Thanks and happy walking!
Kerstin

 

[amourier]

Kerstin, I lead walking tours mostly on the Camino Português, I have a tour walking the coastal route during April - the group will arrive in Santiago on the Saturday before Easter. I've walked this time of year before and it is lovely. In fact Spring, Summer and Fall are lovely on the Português Camino. As for which route, again both routes are very pleasant with not only gorgeous scenery but many historical sights as well. Whichever route you choose, you will be surprisingly pleased. Message me with your questions if you would like to talk more about each route.

Arlène

 

[Addicted]

Hello Kerstinh47 I walked the Camino Portuguese in 2015 starting on Nov 07 from Porto. Our intention was to start in Lisbon but several people we spoke to on the Frances advised against it due to the poor walking conditions and built areas. We encounter only a handful of pilgrims and often had the albergues to ourselves
The weather was spectacular. We started by taking the train to the outside of Porto and walking the coastal route for the first day . We then transitioned to the interior route . I will say that going from the coast to the central route was difficult in that there were very few markings ( literally one or two ) but we made it and it was great.
Overall the walk was truly spectacular and very quiet.
A must stay albergue is Fernendez. ( not sure what town ) but it's in the book .
We did meet a Portuguese pilgrim that walked from downtown Porto to the outskirts of town and advised it was the worst walk ever
Cascade Fernendez is just north of Balugaes
I have walked four other Caminos and have nothing really negative to say about Portugal.
Hope this helps a bit , we to are planing another Camino for 2017 and have already booked our flight.
Been Camino

 

[donnercruiser]

I walked the Caminho Portguese in March 2014 and April 2015.

I walked coastal up to Vila do Conde and took the interior route from there. Weatherconditions are acceptable around this time. It is spring, but you have too expect rain. North of Portugal and Spain are known for their rain. I found the Caminho well marked and number of peregrinos was not too much. The "secret" advice too stay in Casa Fernanda is not that secret anymore. Please make a reservation there. I found it in 2015 completo, but i did reservation before. I like this time of a year and i love the portuguese people, cause they are so nice and gently, they have a warm heart for us peregrinos and help whenever they can.

Regards Olaf

 

[dfborg]

Hi Kerstin, we walked from Porto on September 11, 2015, starting at the cathedral , instead of taking the train to Matosinhos we followed the river to the sea. We, then walked along the beach overnighting in Matosinhos to Vila do Conde, from there we when cross country to Rates. The only thing I would caution you about is traffic espec fom Vila do Conde to Rates, very narrow road in places. In fact I fashioned a flag out of a reflective vest and attached it to one of my walking sticks . I second the endorsement of Casa Fernanda it was amazing.
Bon Caminho

 

[Former member 22438]

Hello Kerstinh47 I walked the Camino Portuguese in 2015 starting on Nov 07 from Porto. Our intention was to start in Lisbon but several people we spoke to on the Frances advised against it due to the poor walking conditions and built areas. We encounter only a handful of pilgrims and often had the albergues to ourselves
The weather was spectacular. We started by taking the train to the outside of Porto and walking the coastal route for the first day . We then transitioned to the interior route . I will say that going from the coast to the central route was difficult in that there were very few markings ( literally one or two ) but we made it and it was great.
Overall the walk was truly spectacular and very quiet.
A must stay albergue is Fernendez. ( not sure what town ) but it's in the book .
We did meet a Portuguese pilgrim that walked from downtown Porto to the outskirts of town and advised it was the worst walk ever
Cascade Fernendez is just north of Balugaes
I have walked four other Caminos and have nothing really negative to say about Portugal.
Hope this helps a bit , we to are planing another Camino for 2017 and have already booked our flight.
Been Camino

It is called "casa da Fernanda" instead of Cascade Fernendez or something you write.
It is in the hamlet Vilhadiz , part of Vitorino de Piães in between Barcelos (18 kms) and Ponte de Lima (14 kms)

 

[pmjsmith]

Walked from Porto to Santiago along the coast until Vigo when we followed Brierley's guide in May, 2014. It was wonderful; ocean on your left and sun on your back.
Two + 70 year old females carrying 10 lb. packs. Not as crowded as French way but still a 'pilgrimage'. Albergues were clean and helpful. Totally addicted.

 

[timr]

We did meet a Portuguese pilgrim that walked from downtown Porto to the outskirts of town and advised it was the worst walk ever

Just to give an alternative view on this. I walked three weeks ago from the Sé (Cathedral) in Porto along the river and along the coast to Angeiras on day one and then to Vila do Conde on day two (when I turned inward to the central route). For me it would not qualify as "the worst walk ever"! It was very straightforward. Keep the river to your left for the first 5km and then keep the Atlantic to your left for the remainder. I know that "you cannot get lost" doesn't always sound convincing, but, er, you cannot possibly get lost. The first day of my walk was a Sunday (November 13th) - fabulous weather. The only slight drawback was the huge number of people out enjoying the late sumer - cyclicsts, skaters, skateboarders, dog walkers etc. But there is plenty of room. Pavement or boardwalks, or the beach if you wish, all along the way. A LOT of bars and restaurants. A LOT of interpretative signs about the ecology and history.
I would do it again.

 

[amsimoes]

Hi.

Weather in Portugal, dictations say:

March: "In the morning it is winter, in the afternoon it is summer".

April: "Waters thousand."

But in spring time is unpredictable.