Paths v Road, Hill v Flat

[Graeme.W]

Hi, my partner and I are looking to walk from Porto to Santiago in May. We are wanting to know about how much road walking there is against pathways. Also is it mostly flat with only a few hills?
Thanks in advance.

 

[naplesdon]

The Brierley guide book shows a breakdown for each stage. There are hardly any of the big hill climbs like you find on the CF except for the day out of Ponte de Lima. There are however some very dangerous stretches of sharing narrow national highways with trucks and cars travelling at very high speeds. The absolute worse is arriving into Pedra Furada which is a totally white knuckles, heart stopping km; there is barely enough pavement for two lanes of traffic much less adding someone who is walking in the roadway, there is no shoulder just guard rail on the edge of the pavement.

 

[vicrev]

Thanks Bdon,I am also interested in this walk ( next Feb/March) is camping possible ?.................Vicrev

 

[naplesdon]

There were a few places I saw where I think you could pitch a tent but quite a bit of the route runs through either residential and/or industrial areas or vineyards and cornfields. It does share some pathways with an old Roman road (Via Augustus?) which the Portuguese label as Via XIX and I believe is much like the Grande Randonnes in France. The amazing thing to me was that I didn't see any other pilgrims until my second day and I was walking July, quite a change from CF.

 

[MendiWalker]

Hi, my partner and I are looking to walk from Porto to Santiago in May. We are wanting to know about how much road walking there is against pathways. Also is it mostly flat with only a few hills?
Thanks in advance.

If you´re looking for info about the Camino Portugues this link can be of great help.

http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/los-caminos-de-santiago/portugues/

Buen Camino!

 

[vicrev]

Thanks for the info Bdon,I just feel like a change from France & Italy & want to end up in Santiago without all the apparent hassles,Portugal sounds like a good alternative.............Vicrev

 

[Diogo92]

Hello @Graeme.W . First of all welcome to the Forum.

About your question, well, I've talked with people who have walked the Frances and the Portuguese way and they say that you have, in terms of comparison, almost the same percentage of asphalt and off road trails. It's almost impossible not to pass on a couple of segments of national road in our days. I remember that after Tuy we caught a large bit of road walking. But you will also fin wonderful off road tracks (one of the things that I don't get out of my mind it's to see the bay of Vigo from the top of a mountain trail).

You will find some hills, the worst one after Ponte de Lima (the Labruja Mountain, where you go up to 500 meters on a very steep "climb"). But it totally compensates to see the wonderful view from the top

I will also do the Caminho again in May so we can possibly have the opportunity to meet each other You can contact me to metalmelitia666@gmail.com

@vicrev , wild camping in Portugal it's some sort forbidden, unless you contact authorities and have a permission/license from the Portuguese Mountain and Camping Federation. Yeah, I know, it kinda sucks, here in Portugal they see camping more has a Money thing, than a way of life :/

Best Regards
Diogo Martins

 

[vicrev]

Thanks Diogo,..Is it possible to walk Lisbon...Santiago without walking on tarmac /made roads? just that I hate walking with traffic etc (who doesnt !)..but,if I have to walk with traffic ,so be it!................Vicrev

 

[Diogo92]

@vicrev , I don't like to be the bearer of bad news, but it's almost impossible for you to do it. Unless you pass throughout private terrains on an illegal way.

But still, it's very complicated, you will always have a path that goes through asphalt. You will find many roads, like the N roads (National Roads), that you won't see a car in hours. Yes, it's possible to happen.

Best Regards
Diogo

 

[vicrev]

Thanks Diogo...........

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Just go and walk.

 

[Graeme.W]

Dear Rebecca, I have just walked the French way in May. I know how to "just go and walk". I have specific reasons for asking these questions. Information you don't need. If you have nothing constructive to input, don't bother. Thanks Graeme

 

[naplesdon]

Graeme W, that was bit harsh mate!

 

[vicrev]

I will........,bye all..........Vicrev

 

[stevenjarvis]

Thanks Diogo,..Is it possible to walk Lisbon...Santiago without walking on tarmac /made roads? just that I hate walking with traffic etc (who doesnt !)..but,if I have to walk with traffic ,so be it!................Vicrev

Tui to SdC isn't too bad for roads. I imagine if you have time and energy you might often find alternative routes to the marked route, if you're prepared to do the researcha and obviously you run the risk of lots of extra walking where it there isn't a viable alternative. The road walking and particularly the busy/dangerous/frightening sections are the exception. My overall memories are of wonderful walking. Having said that I actually enjoy some of the urban, industrial, edge-land experiences. Bon Camino

 

[vicrev]

Thanks stevenj.............Vicrev

 

[DurhamParish]

The only Camino I've done, so far, was from Porto to Santiago, so I can't compare it to the Camino Frances . . . . yet. But it seemed the worst "road walking" was the first day from downtown Porto to Vilarinho. Then the next day to Barcelos was a little better, but after that there was much less walking on the National Roads.

As an alternative, you might think of taking the coastal route out of Porto. It seems that more and more people are doing that, and when I walk the Camino Portuguese again, that is what I intend to do.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

still plenty of asphalt on the coastal Portuguese, too.

 

[vicrev]

Porto to Santiago,it is,then walk to Madrid.......anyone done that?......any parts worth a miss ?............thanks Vicrev

 

[Urban trekker1]

Try this site Mundicamino Complete Guide to Camino. It will show elevation gains and losses along with towns with facilities. Only good for the Spain portion

 

[vicrev]

Thanks,Urban t..................Vicrev