March or April?

[susiemcc]

Hi
Need some advice please as I am in the throws of decision making. Having walked fron SJPP to Santiago in 2010 and Le Puy-Velay to SJPP last year I am planning next years walk. My choices are Camino Portuguese or Camino del Norte. I therefore would love some feedback on walking from Lisbon in March or April, the terrain, weather etc. hI ave been reading blogs and would love to hear of more experiences. Many thanks

Susie

 

[Diogo92]

Hello Susie!

First of all let me say to you one thing: the decision it's yours, so follow your instinct about what Camino to do.

Ok, now about the Weather conditions and Terrain from Lisbon to Santiago.

You talked in doing it in March or April. There is not so much difference between the two months in case of the Weather Conditions, since they are in the spring time, which will make time very unpredictable. For example last year, March and April weren’t' so rainy and cloudy has this year. So you could have luck and get some good Weather, has you can catch this year’s rains and floods. You never know.

For the Terrain, from Lisbon until the outskirts of Fatima, the Terrain will be mostly flat, but starting from there, as you go further into the Northern part of Portugal you will start to catch hills and more hills. Notice that the weather in here it's completely different from the Center of Portugal. You have more possibilities of rain and cold.

I hope that I had helped you in some way.

Best Regards
Diogo

 

[Jennifer Juniper]

Hello! I had originally planned to do the Frances in Sept2014, but now have a super opportunity to do the Portuguese next April instead. Problem? I know nothing about this route!!

 

[scruffy1]

I walked from Lisbon two years ago, left the Camino for Fatima at Tomar walking mostly the roads, not the safest decision, on through Bathala up to Coimbra in order to rejoin the Camino. The weather was warm with almost no rain until I reached Tui. Having said that we are all witnessing great climate change-usual and expected weather based on years of observation is now only a memory, one year very warm while the next, like 2013 no Spring at all, a seemingly never ending winter then boom Summer. Be Prepared is all I can remember from the Scouts movement seems appropriate now. The Camino has some longish stretches, Tomar and the Convento de Christo should not be missed, I could not feel the spirituality of Fatima, the experience was similar to visiting a large modern football stadium-my problem. The Portugal Camino has a very different feeling, definetely not Spain, far fewer pilgrims, still well marked no terrain problems and friendly welcoming people everywhere. Bom Camino

 

[Jennifer Juniper]

Thank you Scruffy. That helps me get an initial idea of what to expect. What language should I concentrate on? I am fluent in french -will that be of any use?

 

[mikevasey]

When I walked it I knew a little Portugese but was hoping that the people I met would know a little English, what I found was that most peoples other language seemed to be French so you should be ok.

 

[Jennifer Juniper]

Thanks Mike! That is truly good news. I feel better knowing I'll be able to communicate.

 

[mspath]

Sister Simon,

What a happy opportunity you have ! April in Portugal would be lovely.

Perhaps some of these other web sites will help with your planning.
http://camino.xacobeo.es/en/routes/portuguese-way
http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es./lo ... portugues/

In December 2011 after finishing the Camino Frances I continued to Finisterre, per usual, and then walked to the Portuguese border at Tui/Valenca de Minho. This involved going " backward " along the Camino Portuguese from Santiago. To go backward is more complicated than you might think; since this path is hardly well marked, searching for the famous yellow arrows pointing opposite my direction wasn't easy. Viewed backwards the arrows resembled anchors. Thus it all was a bit of a treasure hunt!

The weather was cold and very WET. The Galician albergues were great and generally well heated; often I was the only pilgrim. I particularly enjoyed walking across the river Minho from Tui on the 19th century bridge designed by Eiffel of tower fame to Valenca de Minho and its Vauban fortress.

During recent years after my caminos I have often spent time in the mountains of northern Portugal. I, like you, speak English and French but no Portuguese and little Spanish. However language was never a problem since many older people speak French and younger ones know English. As always when 'speechless' pantomime worked wonders!

Happy planning and Bom Caminho/Buen Camino,

Margaret Meredith

 

[Jennifer Juniper]

Thank you for the links and info. Would you do the Portugese again? I may still do the Frances, moving it up to maybe 2016, but yes, this is a wonderful opportunity, and I am very grateful for it.
Blessings!
I would think doing any of the Caminos backwards would be confusing. Most days I have enough trouble just putting one foot in front of the other!

 

[kogga]

Hi
Need some advice please as I am in the throws of decision making. Having walked fron SJPP to Santiago in 2010 and Le Puy-Velay to SJPP last year I am planning next years walk. My choices are Camino Portuguese or Camino del Norte. I therefore would love some feedback on walking from Lisbon in March or April, the terrain, weather etc. hI ave been reading blogs and would love to hear of more experiences. Many thanks

Susie

Hallo Susie,read you walked Le Puy route - can you send me an email to my email adress: kogga@webmail.co.za on your feeling about the le Puy - we are thinking of walking it - Thanks - Johann Pretorius from South Africa

 

[lynnejohn]

Hi @annaw -
My choice has always been very lightweight, quickdry pants supplemented by lightweight base layer pants underneath when necessary. The base layer pants and top serve double duty as cozy nightwear as well, welcome on those cold nights in March.

These are good pants:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/th...tempest-pants-roll-up-legs-for-women~p~4947d/

And these add a nice light base layer without being too bulky:
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/te...nderwear-and-base-layer~d~275/&colorFamily=42

Buen camino!