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14 Days - 13 Nights
Self-guided
from 1 person
March to November
During the Middle Ages there were many routes that crossed the countryside leading towards of Santiago de Compostela, amongst which the routes from Portugal had special importance. One of these pilgrim routes is the “Portuguese Coastal Way”, which runs from Porto through Vila do Conde, Viana do Castelo and Caminha before joining the more traditional Portuguese Way to Santiago at the border in Valença do Minho / Tui.
This route was followed by pilgrims from western lands and those who arrived in Portuguese ports from overseas countries and who sought to get to Compostela following this coastal way. Its importance is shown by place names, and elements of Jacobean devotion, old hospitals and pilgrim hospices, as in Viana do Castelo and Caminha.
On this proposal from Caminha you continue through Vila Nova de Cerveira to Tui where you will join the Central Way that was followed by pilgrims on the traditional Portuguese route.
Meeting with a member of our team for a briefing and to collect the documentation.
→ Accommodation: Hotel 3*
→ Meals: Breakfast
→ (20 km / 12,4 Miles)
→ Private Transfer: Porto – Matosinhos *
Start in Matosinhos to avoid the outskirts of Porto. On the first stage you will walk along the Atlantic coastline.
The ocean and miles of golden sandy beaches will accompany you until you reach Vila do Conde with an ancient medieval shipyard full of historical and architectural interest.
→ Accommodation: Hotel 3*
→ Meals: Breakfast
→ (25 km / 15,5 Miles)
The second stage starts in Vila do Conde, crossing the town by the historic centre and in a couple of miles you will reach Povoa de Varzim, a popular town with strong maritime links.
Continue heading north along the coast crossing the Coastal Natural Park and the Cavado river in direction of Esposende, an old fishing village with a great setting on the estuary of the Cavado River.
→ Accommodation: Hotel 3*
→ Meals: Breakfast
→ (23,5 km / 14,6 Miles)
Leave Esposende by walking along a cycle-track and continue close to the coast as you travel north admiring fine views and the peace of the route.
You will visit the villages of Marinhas, Belinho, Neiva and Darque before reaching the historic town of Viana do Castelo by way of Eifell’s old iron bridge over the Lima River.
→ Accommodation: Hotel 3*
→ Meals: Breakfast
→ (28,5 km / 17,7 Miles)
Leave Viana do Castelo and enter the world of “old farms”. You will pass through the villages of Areosa, Afife and Carreço walking through old narrow roads that pass between several 19th Century farmhouses. Continue until the old fishing village of Âncora. From there the route follows the coastline through Moledo and Camarido until centuries old Caminha.
→ Accommodation: Hotel 3*
→ Meals: Breakfast
→ (15 km / 9 Miles)
Leave the medieval town of Caminha crossing the bridge over the Coura River. In this stage walk north following the Minho River. You kicky arrive to the famous villages of Seixas and Lanhelas.
The short climb to Gondarem is rewarded with an astonishing view over the river and the Spanish territory across river. Until Vila Nova de Cerveira, where the stage ends it’s an easy walk.
→ Accommodation: Country Hotel 3*
→ Meals: Breakfast
→ (15 km / 9 Miles)
Start this day by leaving the old town of Cerveira and following the Minho River valley, passing the villages of Campos and São Pedro da Torre through fields and brushwoods reaching the fortified town of Valença where the stage ends.
→ Accommodation: Hotel 3*
→ Meals: Breakfast
→ (20 km / 12,8 Miles)
Enter Spain by crossing the Minho River. Walk through the streets of medieval Tui until you reach its famous Cathedral. From Tui follow the Louro River Valley until you O Porriño.
→ Accommodation: Hotel 2*
→ Meals: Breakfast
→ (22 km / 13,6 Miles)
In this stage you will pass close to the Pazo de Mós, Santiaguiño de Antas and Chan das Pipas before reach the centre of Redondela. Continue to Outeiro de Penas, and then finally you reach Arcade.
→ Accommodation: Hotel 2*
→ Meals: Breakfast
→ (13 km / 8 Miles)
Leave Arcade in direction to Pontesampayo and then to one of the most beautiful stretches of the Caminho: the very old by-ways which climb up the slope of Canicouva until Cacheiro, where the track widens again, reaching Pontevedra.
→ Accommodation: Hotel 3*
→ Meals: Breakfast
→ (22 km / 13,6 Miles)
Start this stage by walking from the old city of Pontevedra to the millennial bridge, O Burgo, over the Lérez River. Continue along the beautiful Valley of the Gandra River until San Mauro and from there, until Caldas de Reis.
→ Accommodation: Hotel 2*
→ Meals: Breakfast
→ (19 km / 11,7 Miles)
Leave Caldas de Reis along some enchanting stretches, following a path that leads you to the church of Santa Maria de Carracedo and then you will cross a particularly luxuriant landscape along the side of the Valga River until Padron.
→ Accommodation: Hotel 3*
→ Meals: Breakfast
→ (25 km / 15,5 Miles)
The last stage starts leaving Padron through Galician villages until the magnificent sanctuary of Nossa Señora da Escravitute. Continue for Teo and following broad streets and narrower shortcuts you finally arrive to the suburbs of Santiago that lead us through a labyrinth of streets to the Cathedral of Santiago.
→ Accommodation: Hotel 3*
→ Meals: Breakfast
→ After breakfast: end of our services
* On the second day, in Oporto, after breakfast you will meet a member of our team who will drive you until “Matosinhos” to start walking. With this you avoid the busy roads through urban areas of the cities of Porto and their suburbs. If you wish you can start walking in Oporto – contact us for more information.
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