Your JourneyDay 1 Arrive Porto Visit Porto’s intriguing Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site plus Gaia, the centre of port wine industry. Day 2 Porto - Vila Do Conde, 35kms +230m Head north towards Matosinhos. Follow the Leca River to reach the seaside town of Vila do Conde. Day 3 Vila Do Conde - Viana Do Castela, 53kms +320m Today’s cycling has a mix of coastal and rural scenery. Esposende is by the delta of the Cavado River and a wonderful place to have a break. The old city of Viana Do Castelo is now a modern city which has preserved the atmosphere of its’ Old Town and little shops. Take a cable car ride up the hill for picture postcard views. Day 4 Viana Do Castela - Baiona, 65kms, +520m Follow the coast to Caminha, and cross the Minho River to A Guarda, Spain by ferry. Follow the coast to Oia with its ancient monastery of the Cistercian order. Continue near cliffs until Cape Sillero where it joins the ancient medieval road, Vereda Real. Old Castles and towns feature along the way until you reach Baiona. Day 5 Baiona - Pontevedra, 61kms +890m Cycle to Vigo then Redondela. Leave the Ria of Vigo estuary to head inland, crossing several rivers over medieval bridges. Once inland it is hilly and more demanding as you pedal towards the historic city of Pontevedra. The medieval town centre is a maze of cobbled laneways with tapas bars and cafes. Interesting sites to be explored include the Santuario da Peregrin chapel and the Convento de San Francisco. Day 6 Pontevedra - Padron 40kms, +410m Pedal through chestnut groves, pine and eucalyptus forest alongside small rivers and water mills. Gradually climb to the village of Santa Marina. On to Padron, where the body of Saint James is said to have first landed, when it was brought to Santiago. Day 7 Padron - Santiago de Compostela 26kms +410m Onto Santiago through pine, oak and eucalyptus forests before climbing up to Santiago. You may be in time to attend the midday Pilgrims Mass, or explore the charming old town. Day 8 Santiago de Compostela Arrangements end. TerrainModerate–cycling over diverse terrain from flat to hilly. A mixture of smooth dirt roads and tarmac with the occasional rocky path. |
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Articles
Camino Portuguese
Porto to Santiago de Compostela via the Atlantic Coast
Self-Guided 8 Days / 7 Nights
The Camino Portugués, is considered by many as the most spiritually connected pilgrimage route. Following the path St James' body took to its resting place at the site of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, the often overlooked, and hence much quieter, Portuguese path offers a wealth of history and delightful landscapes to discover.
Enter the medieval city of Santiago de Compostela, as pilgrims have done for a thousand years before you, seeking the shrine that is the climax to this legendary journey.
