Camino way

[shakespearegirl]

Researching Camino walks in Portugal for April or May next year. Anyone done this and have recommendations for routes and support companies? 5 of us, all mid/late 50s mixed fitness levels and definitely want a support company so we don’t have to carry everything

 

[dessiato]

When you say Camino walks do you want to do the Camino de Santiago, or one of the ones to Fatima? Or something else?

 

[A380]

When you say Camino walks do you want to do the Camino de Santiago, or one of the ones to Fatima? Or something else?

I was wondering this, I want to do the Camino de Santiago. A friend did it (the main route) two years ago and he found that it was really well set up in terms of the accommodation and resturants etc along the way, his view was that meant you wouldn't need to be supported as the infrastructure means you could get by just with a decent day sack.

I guess the the 'feeder' and other ancillary less used routes might be different.

 

[andysays]

Researching Camino walks in Portugal for April or May next year. Anyone done this and have recommendations for routes and support companies? 5 of us, all mid/late 50s mixed fitness levels and definitely want a support company so we don’t have to carry everything

I did this a few years ago.

Going out for most of the day, but I'll try to post more later...

 

[Boris Sprinkler]

I’ve done it a couple of times.Portuguese route.
Once in may which was fantastic.
Once in July which was more enduring. Both times with a 30 litre bag.

 

[dessiato]

I was wondering this, I want to do the Camino de Santiago. A friend did it (the main route) two years ago and he found that it was really well set up in terms of the accommodation and resturants etc along the way, his view was that meant you wouldn't need to be supported as the infrastructure means you could get by just with a decent day sack.

I guess the the 'feeder' and other ancillary less used routes might be different.

The northern route goes through the town in which I used to live. It's very scenic and the whole route is well geared for pilgrims.

The route from Porto is shorter, has magnificent scenery but I'm not sure how well served it is for hostels etc

Going south from Porto I'm told the various Camino to Fatima is well served. But I've not been along that one.

 

[Artaxerxes]

There is an absolute ton of stuff on YouTube for research purposes on this

 

[Riklet]

Porto to Santiago is great, done that a few years ago and had a great time. There's a coastal route or an interior one, I did the later (but I'd already been to lovely Viana do Castelo previously).

I wouldnt recommend walking all the way from Lisbon unless you are an experienced long distance walker. Nor walking in the opposite direction... always walk towards Santiago. Do it from Porto and if youre still feeling up for it do one of the Spanish ones from the Pyrenees another time, they're longer and really amazing routes to explore Spain. I'd love to do one the whole way...

Dont bother with a support company, too much logistical planning, just get a good small bag and pack super light and get a pair of hiking poles. I highly recommend against any kind of fixed planning.. with accomm or anything else. The flexibility is the best bit!

 

[shakespearegirl]

I think Porto to Santiago is the most favoured one. Probably coastal.

If we are doing an 8-10 day walk we definitely don’t want to be carrying all our stuff whilst walking!

 

[Boris Sprinkler]

The people you meet on the Camino can be inspiring too. The first time I did it from Porto I recall seeing one young lad about 8 or 9 carrying his pack the same as the adults. The eldest I met was in her 80s.
To be honest I tried to avoid the tourist types, the ones with all the newest gear and no idea. Blisters after the first night because their top of the range hiking boots had not been broken in. My normal sneaks worked fine.
I would wake and leave early every morning , to avoid the rush and make sure I was one of the first arrivals at the next Alberque.
I prefer to have my bag with me, might want a change of clothes if it rains or if you fancy a swim.

 

[dessiato]

It just went through my mind to ask Stan, he’d have had a lot of good advice. RIP Stan.

 

[dessiato]

I think Porto to Santiago is the most favoured one. Probably coastal.

If we are doing an 8-10 day walk we definitely don’t want to be carrying all our stuff whilst walking!

I understand what you mean, the downside is that you are forced to walk to the next way point regardless of anything happening along the way. Sometimes this can make the walk seem like a forced march. The balance needs to be found.

 

[Boris Sprinkler]

The second time I was there walking from Lisbon, in July, barely any other pilgrims. Entire dormitories to myself.
And it was hot and lonely. Getting buzzed by firefighting planes up in the hills near Tomar.
Good if you like solitude.

 

[Sue]

There's lots of useful stuff here;

The Camino de Santiago - your 2023 guide

Our Camino de Santiago guide is your best resource for planning the pilgrimage on the Way of St.James in 2023. Only first-hand experience

stingynomads.com

(I'm thinking about starting on the French one next year -- will need to do it in a few goes as it takes a month-ish.)

 

[Riklet]

I think Porto to Santiago is the most favoured one. Probably coastal.

If we are doing an 8-10 day walk we definitely don’t want to be carrying all our stuff whilst walking!

Yeah it's definitely worth doing it's a lovely walk! Great wine along the way. Both the North of Portugal and Galicia are really beautiful and generally amazing places.

I would say it's more a 10-12 day walk unless youre quite fast btw. With poles and a small pack you wont need to worry about weight, honestly. Loads of places to stop and rest and refresh too, you'll rarely be walking for hours non stop.

 

[dessiato]

Yeah it's definitely worth doing it's a lovely walk! Great wine along the way. Both the North of Portugal and Galicia are really beautiful and generally amazing places.

I would say it's more a 10-12 day walk unless youre quite fast btw. With poles and a small pack you wont need to worry about weight, honestly. Loads of places to stop and rest and refresh too, you'll rarely be walking for hours non stop.

Friends of mine did Santo Tirso to Santiago in four days, they said it had to be long days of solid walking. They camped out, and walked from daybreak to sundown. I can’t see the attraction of that. I think that, as you say, it needs to be over at least a week to get anything from the experience.

 

[Riklet]

Took me 8 or 9 days or so as a sprightly 27 year old with trekking poles doing 25-30km a day. I would slow the pace and take it easy. I didnt have much time so that wasnt an option. Also it was cool arriving at the end of Semana Santa on the Sunday.

 

[moody]

thinking about doing the french route maybe sept-ish.

wanted to do it years ago after reading the pilgrimage by paul coelho. Never got round to it.

It's a commitment for sure. I'm saving all my holiday from work, might need to take an additional week unpaid.

 

[Sue]

moody, I've done two thirds of it over the last two years (StJPP to Astorga). Planning on doing the last bit next year. If you've any questions, let me know.

 

[moody]

moody, I've done two thirds of it over the last two years (StJPP to Astorga). Planning on doing the last bit next year. If you've any questions, let me know.

nice one. I've watched a few vids on youtube and read a bit but advice would be welcome.

I'm not planning on booking anything and hoping I'll find a bed each night. Am I being unrealistic?

 

[Sue]

So keeping in mind that i did this both times in March when it's likely quieter...

Generally, I'd say no. The traditional albergues (so the municipal/parrochial ones) don't normally take reservations anyway -- it's first come, first served. Even in Holy Week (when everywhere is really busy cos lots of Spanish people do bits), I had no problems.

I would say though that one place it is worth booking is Roncevalles/Ronceveau because it's in the middle of nowhere and after going via the Pyrenees, you really don't want to have to keep walking if there are no beds left. (The albergue is big but when I was there, a load of coaches turned up and then it was full.)

You may also want to book at StJPP if you're going to arrive late as think it's generally pretty busy.

Anyway, I think booking is a bit rubbish as then you HAVE to get somewhere. And some days you may be up for walking more/less, depending on how you're feeling. And you might fancy hanging out with some of the people you meet en route too.

It apparently gets busier from Sarria on but I haven't made it that far yet.