Porto to Santiago to Finisterre to Porto – advice welcomed

[twh]

I walked my first Camino, the Frances, in May/June of last year (2018) and loved it. I’m coming back for more this fall but I want to try something new…a round trip from Porto.

I have not done any research yet. I just ordered from Ivar the Brierley Book (a free passport comes with it) and a Camino Forum Member patch for my backpack. Now I will have the pleasure of planning the adventure. Last time, I did lots of research on my own using the forum and then asked questions. This time I’ll see first what opinions are out there regarding the round trip and then narrow in on details after that. I estimate it will take about 32 days but that’s just a guess. I'm in good physical condition and 15 mile / 25 km days are comfortable for me.

I will start from Porto approximately October 10 and return about Nov 12. I’m thinking of doing the central route to Santiago and the coastal on the way back from Finisterre. Does weather/time of year make a difference on whether I do this loop counter clockwise (Porto - Santiago – Finisterre – Porto) or clockwise (Porto - Finisterre – Santiago – Porto). At this time of year will most Albergue’s still be open? Is navigation an issue on the coastal route return walking from north to south…against the yellow arrows. Any must see sights or Albergues?.

I’d love to hear from anyone full of ideas, experiences and enthusiasm from your Portuguese Route experience and especially if you did the loop as I am planning to do. Thanks in advance for sharing your comments and links that you think are helpful.

 

[Former member 22438]

You can go from Fistere to the coastal Portuguese route but is very complicated to find your way and it is a long way so better is to return back to Santiago and follow the blue waymarkers to Fátima in Portugal . So you will arrive in Porto.
You can cross Gallicia to Pontevedra It is a road along the Galician coast to Noia and then to Pontevedra were you'll find the blue waymarkers
Then head to Redondela and then to Vigo. Once on your way from Vigo to Baiona keep the ocean at your right and as long as the ocean is at your side you will arrive in Porto.
I travelled a lot trough Galicia and the north of Portugal and made the suggested trip by car Very nice trip From Fistere to Pontevedra was about 140 kms by car