Porto to Santiago

[Chrism2018]

Hello
I’m leaving on April 29 2018 to walk the route from Porto to Santiago. I can’t decide which route to take. I’m thinking of walking from Porto to Vila do condo then taking a taxi back to the main route to Vilarinho.
Is the coastal route to Vila do Condo well marked ? I’m walking by myself so I’m hoping for clear markings.
Can anyone clarify this for me.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Former member 22438]

The coastal route out of Porto is well waymarked and beside of that if you keep the river Douro at your left and later on the ocean at your left you will arrive in Vila do Conde.
There is no need to go back from VdC to Porto and than on to Vilarinho.
Just follow the waymarkers direction São Pedro de Rates from VdC.

 

[Chrism2018]

Thank you Ivor. That’s very helpful.

 

[Anthony Coyne]

I will be cycling the Porto to Santiago route this year (probably April or May). I'm assuming an easy five day (allowing +/- 50km per day) with lots of time for enjoying the scenery.

 

[Former member 22438]

I will be cycling the Porto to Santiago route this year (probably April or May). I'm assuming an easy five day (allowing +/- 50km per day) with lots of time for enjoying the scenery.

As a Dutch saying says" easy with two fingers in your nose

 

[surya8]

The route along the coast is marked although I didn't really pay attention to the markings, just followed the river, then the ocean. All straigh to Vila do Conde. You can cross from there to Barcelos, many people go along the coast the first day, ask around if you want company on the next day. Or you could continue along the coast and cross from Esposende, Viana do Castello or Caminha later. I found the central route more fulfilling in terms of experiencing a proper Camino spirit, nature, great bunch of people and nice towns on the way, plentiful accommodation and food options, etc.

 

[Anthony Coyne]

As a Dutch saying says" easy with two fingers in your nose

I wish I knew what that saying means

 

[Former member 22438]

I wish I knew what that saying means

It means "so easy" a piece of cake

 

[LorneB]

When I walked the coastal (as far as Vigo) last year, I had an interesting experience at Vila do Conde. My problem there was that in following the yellow arrows I saw, I actually started walking 4 km out of town on what I thought was the coastal route, but turned out to be the detour to the central. So I’d simply advise paying attention to avoid making a “mistake” by following the wrong set of arrows.

At the same time, mistakes were in many ways what I most valued about my Camino experience; a sort of teaching in accepting what-is and then, working with it. When I discovered my 4 km mistake, which of course meant another 4 km back to put myself back on course to the coastal, I sat down and burst out laughing. When I told other walkers, they were horrified, but I found it incredibly funny. If anything, I wish I could access that attitude more regularly in my regular, day-to-day life.