Vila do Conde to Rates

[cote.lesta]

If you think you may want to do this stretch of the Camino Portugues, don't or carry a can of yellow paint and mark your own. Only saw 2 arrows at the bridge in Vila do Conde and then nothing until Junqueira. Do the interior stretch instead from Vilarinho. Still a bit of confusion trying to get pass the industrial estate of Porto. The arrival at Rates was woth it if only for the great welcome received from Antonio (from Aveiro) the Hospitalero for our arrival.
Cote 8) :arrow:

 

[Mark2012]

If you think you may want to do this stretch of the Camino Portugues, don't or carry a can of yellow paint and mark your own. Only saw 2 arrows at the bridge in Vila do Conde and then nothing until Junqueira. Do the interior stretch instead from Vilarinho. Still a bit of confusion trying to get pass the industrial estate of Porto. The arrival at Rates was woth it if only for the great welcome received from Antonio (from Aveiro) the Hospitalero for our arrival.
Cote 8) :arrow:

Just wondering if anyone knows if the waymarking from Vila do Conde to Rates is still as sketchy as the above post suggested. I hope to be walking that stretch early next month, and - Brierley guide notwithstanding - I'm not blessed with the best internal radar!

 

[peregrino_tom]

Mark
I walked this way last October and my experience was much better than the one cote has recorded. There were definitely good yellow arrows from Touginha - I even photographed them.
Before then, there's nothing to worry about in my view. If you go to the tourist office the evening before in Vila (very interesting town with bizarre Aquaduct), they'll give you a basic map and draw the route for you.
I did a little detour to follow the river and wasn't sure I'd got back on the right road. I then had a wonderful experience like being in the movie The Truman Show. I paused at a small road and a woman opened the blind on her window and pointed left. I hesitated a second at the next small turning and an old woman on the other side of the road putting her rubbish in a wheelie bin stopped to indicate I should go straight on. Then I got to a junction with shops, turned right and slowed to look for a road sign that correlated with my map. A man free-wheeled his bike up to me and explained in English the next stages of the route, which pretty much brought me to the first yellow arrow.
I have a theory that they don't want yellow arrows here, as they enjoy being able to help pilgrims find the way....

 

[Mark2012]

Mark
I walked this way last October and my experience was much better than the one cote has recorded. There were definitely good yellow arrows from Touginha - I even photographed them.
Before then, there's nothing to worry about in my view. If you go to the tourist office the evening before in Vila (very interesting town with bizarre Aquaduct), they'll give you a basic map and draw the route for you.
I did a little detour to follow the river and wasn't sure I'd got back on the right road. I then had a wonderful experience like being in the movie The Truman Show. I paused at a small road and a woman opened the blind on her window and pointed left. I hesitated a second at the next small turning and an old woman on the other side of the road putting her rubbish in a wheelie bin stopped to indicate I should go straight on. Then I got to a junction with shops, turned right and slowed to look for a road sign that correlated with my map. A man free-wheeled his bike up to me and explained in English the next stages of the route, which pretty much brought me to the first yellow arrow.
I have a theory that they don't want yellow arrows here, as they enjoy being able to help pilgrims find the way....

Thanks for that. Very reassuring. Between the guide book, the arrows, and the locals, I should be able to find my way!!!

 

[Miranet]

Same here. I walked this just a week ago and marking was fine. Also locals seem to know the path already on that stretch so they can usually point you directions if you get insecure.

Cheers, Mira

 

[marthas]

I ran into this post completely by accident -- I thought I was in another thread -- and realized that the hospitalero Antonio that Cote is talking about at Rates is the same person I met a few weeks ago while walking the Camino Primitivo. He is from Aveiro and frequently volunteers at Rates. Antonio was also very friendly and helpful as a fellow pilgrim on the Primitivo. I passed Cote's post along to him and he was pleased to be appreciated.

I hope one day to walk the Portuguese and maybe stop at Rates myself. For now, just another little camino coincidence! :wink: Buen camino to all.

Martha

 

[LieutCol.Ret.]

Dear colleagues,

We spent a night at Vila do Conde in May. Next day we found our way without any problem using the John Brierly’s Guide book and painted arrows. Sometime it happens when you look at the yellow arrow sign or the shell and cannot see them. Fortunately I had my wife with me and she just pointed my eyes and nose at the signs.

Sincerely,
Oleg