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The Portuguese Camino from Porto has 3 totally different routes: Central, Coastal, and Litoral Method. The final two are very related. All three routes merge in Redondela, Spain. From Redondela there is just one path to Santiago de Compostela (aside from the Non secular Variant, an optionally available route from Pontevedra to Pontecesures).
The Central Route and the Coastal/Litoral Method are very totally different trails. The Coastal and Litoral Method have the identical phases, aside from the primary stage from Porto to Vila do Conde. The principle distinction is that the Coastal Route typically goes inland and the Litoral Method follows the coast.
Be aware that the Lisbon to Porto a part of the Portuguese Camino has just one route.
How lengthy is the stroll to Santiago on the Coastal and Central Route?
The full distance on the Central Route is 243,5 km/151 mi. It takes on common 10-13 days.
The full distance from Porto to Santiago on the Coastal Route is 274 km/170 mi. It takes 12-15 days.
In case you incorporate the Litoral Method into your coastal stroll your complete distance shall be between 280 km/174 mi and 290 km/180 mi.
Which route has extra pilgrims?
The Portuguese Camino is without doubt one of the hottest Camino de Santiago routes after the Camino Frances. Based on the Pilgrim’s Reception Workplace in Santiago in 2023 – 32% of all pilgrims (141 465 individuals) accomplished the Portuguese route. 37% (52 747) walked the Coastal Route and 63% (88 718) walked the Central Route.
Strolling floor on the Central and Coastal Route
Each routes like all Camino de Santiago principally go on onerous surfaces e.g. tar roads, asphalt, and cobblestone.
Within the Portuguese a part of the Central Route, you stroll loads on cobblestones (the well-known calçada portuguesa). Cobblestone streets in Portugal are all over the place you’ll discover it when you begin strolling. In Spain, you discover cobbled streets solely within the historic facilities.
On the Central Route, you stroll
- 143 km/89 mi on asphalt/tar;
- 42 km/26 mi on cobblestones;
- 57 km/35,4 mi on footpath/gravel highway.
The Coastal Route has fewer cobblestones and extra boardwalks.
On the Coastal Route, you stroll
- 162,4 km/100 mi on asphalt/tar;
- 29 km/18 mi on cobblestones;
- 60,6 km/37,6 mi on a footpath/gravel highway;
- 27 km/16,7 mi on boardwalks;
- 1 km/0,6 mi on the seaside.
Historic cities on the routes
The Central Route has extra attention-grabbing historic locations. Most of my favourite cities on the Portuguese Camino are on the Central Route; Ponte de Lima, Barcelos, Valença, and Tui. These cities are comparatively small with a good looking historic heart. The cities on the Central Route are smaller than these on the Coastal Route. You by no means stroll for a lot of kilometers attempting to get out of town.
On the Coastal Route, the cities are larger e.g. Vila do Conde, Póvoa de Varzim, Viana do Castelo, and Vigo. There may be all the time a variety of visitors, industrial areas, many individuals, and noise. These cities have historic facilities however you stroll loads by means of trendy elements.
Which route has extra public albergues?
Each routes on the stretch between Porto and Redondela (the routes merge in Redondela) have about the identical variety of public/municipal albergues. There are 13 public albergues on the Central Route and 12 public albergues on the Coastal Route. The Coastal Route used to have fewer albergues however resulting from its rising reputation, extra public albergues have been opened not too long ago.
The quantity is nearly the identical however the density is totally different. 13 public albergues for the primary 6 phases of the Central Route vs 12 albergues for the primary 9 phases of the Coastal Route. You may plan your stroll on the Coastal Route to remain each evening in a public albergue for each stage besides phases 6 and seven. There aren’t any public albergues on the stretch between A Guarda and Vigo. There are a number of personal albergues.
Discover out extra about albergues on the Camino de Santiago.
On the Central Route, you’ll find public albergues in
- Vairão (1st stage)
- São Pedro de Charges (2nd stage)
- Pedra Furada (2nd stage)
- Barcelos (2nd stage)
- Portela de Tamel (third stage)
- Ponte de Lima (third stage)
- Rubiães (4th stage)
- Valença (fifth stage)
- Tui (fifth stage)
- O Porriño (sixth stage)
- Veigadaña (sixth stage)
- Mos (sixth stage)
- Redondela (sixth stage)
On the Coastal Route public albergues might be present in
- Labruge (1st stage)
- Vila Chã (1st stage)
- Vila do Conde (2nd stage)
- Póvoa de Varzim (2nd stage)
- Aguçadoura (2nd stage)
- Marinhas (third stage)
- Castelo do Neiva (4th stage)
- Viana do Castelo (4th stage)
- Caminha (fifth stage)
- A Guarda (fifth stage)
- Vigo (eighth stage)
- Redondela (ninth stage)
The surroundings on the Coastal vs Central Route
The Central Route provides rural surroundings, forests, small cities, and villages. The Central Route goes by means of extra distant much less touristy areas than the Coastal Camino. I preferred the cities and villages on the Central Route extra. The route has no various trails which makes it simpler to navigate.
On the Coastal Route, the ocean and seashores are the primary surroundings. You stroll previous many cities and biggish cities. And typically you get to stroll by means of the countryside or forest. Two routes of the Portuguese Camino go alongside the coast; the official Coastal Route and the choice Litroal Method (Senda Litoral). Generally each routes observe the identical path, and typically they cut up. The Litoral Method goes subsequent to the coast, the Coastal Route typically goes inland. It’s good to have an alternate however however, you usually should resolve which route to decide on and it may be disturbing for some individuals.
Which route has extra hills?
The Central Route has extra hills and steep ascents and descents. In case you don’t like strolling hills I’d counsel selecting the Coastal Route.
On the Central Route from Porto to Redondela (the primary 6 phases) the overall ascent is 2536 m (422 m per day on common) and the descent is 2588 m (431 m per day on common).
On the Coastal Route from Porto to Redondela (the primary 9 phases) the gathered ascent is 2284 m (253 m per day on common) and the descent is 2319 m (256 m per day on common).
In Redondela each routes merge from there to Santiago they observe the identical path.
The distinction in gathered ascent and descent is small however the Coastal Route is longer so your each day ascents/descents are decrease than on the Central Route.
In case you stroll the Litoral Method that principally goes alongside the coast you’ll have fewer hills than on the Coastal Route.
My favourite route
It’s a tough query as a result of each routes have one thing particular. I’ve walked each routes twice and the primary time I preferred the Coastal Route extra due to the ocean surroundings and seashores.
The second time I loved the Central Route extra as a result of now we dwell in Portugal close to the seaside and may benefit from the coastal surroundings each day so the forest and countryside are extra engaging.
I do like cities on the Central Route greater than the Coastal Route. Then again, I really like strolling alongside the rugged shoreline on the Coastal Route. The most effective forest surroundings, in my view, is within the final a part of the Portuguese Camino between Redondela and Santiago so whatever the route you stroll you get to see that half.
Selecting the route on the Portuguese Camino
Causes to decide on the Coastal Route/Litoral Method
If you wish to stroll alongside the coast and loosen up on sandy seashores.
You wish to stroll much less on cobblestones/asphalt and extra on boardwalks.
In case you stroll in Might or September (the busiest months on the Portuguese Camino) and wish to see fewer pilgrims. Solely 37% of pilgrims select the Coastal Route.
Causes to decide on the Central Route
In case you like forests, historic cities, and the countryside.
You wish to stroll in the course of the peak summer season (July and August) and don’t wish to see hundreds of vacationers. The seaside cities on the Coastal Route get extraordinarily busy in the course of the summer season vacation.
In case you can’t resolve which one to decide on you’ll be able to mix each routes, begin strolling on the Coastal, and change to the Central Route in Caminha. See the reason under.
Combining the Coastal and Central Route
There are alternative ways of mixing the 2 routes. The preferred possibility is to stroll from Porto on the Coastal/Litoral route, from Caminha (the Coastal Route) stroll to Tui (the Central Route), and change to the Central Route. There’s a connecting route from Caminha to Valença/Tui. I feel it’s the most suitable choice to mix each routes of the Portuguese Camino.
It’s doable to do it the opposite means round; begin strolling on the Central Route after which change to the Coastal Route. It’s not a well-liked possibility since you stroll on the Coastal Route for under 4 days. The Coastal Camino merges with the Central Route in Redondela.
You may stroll on the Litoral Method or the Coastal Route from Porto to Vila do Conde after which change to the Central Route utilizing the connecting path from Vila do Conde to Charges.
Baggage supply on the routes
It’s doable to rearrange baggage supply on each routes. A number of corporations provide the service. Among the most important ones are Tui Trans, Correos, and Pilbeo. The value is 7 euros per baggage merchandise per stage.
It’s doable to ship your additional baggage from Porto on to Santiago and maintain it in a storage facility till your arrival. You may examine that possibility with the bags supply corporations above.
Strolling the final 100 km to Santiago on the Central vs Coastal Route
Strolling the final 100 km on any of the Camino de Santiago routes is required to get the Compostela certificates.
Historically the final 100 km on the Central Route of the Portuguese Camino begins in Tui. The precise distance from Tui is 117 km/72,7 mi. In case you don’t wish to stroll greater than 100 km you can begin in Porriño, a small city 103 km/64 mi from Santiago.
On the Coastal Route the final 100 km begins in Vigo. You stroll solely the primary day on the Coastal Route from Vigo to Redondela. In Redondela the Coastal and the Central Route merge. You may lengthen your coastal stroll by combining it with the Non secular Variant, an optionally available route from Pontevedra to Padron (Pontecesures).
The Litoral Method of the Portuguese Camino
The Litoral Method or Senda Litoral is the third route of the Portuguese Camino from Porto. Aside from the primary stage from Porto to Vila do Conde it coincides with the Coastal Route. The principle distinction is that the Litoral Method follows the coast as a lot as doable whereas the Coastal Route usually goes inland.
The Litoral Method is usually not marked however is straightforward to observe since you simply stroll alongside the coast. Generally even on the Litoral Method, you stroll inland to cross a river, bay, or port.
Portuguese Camino de Santiago planning sources
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The beautiful half of Stingy Nomads, answerable for all our land adventures (mountaineering, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a toddler, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack fairly than to do a ten 000 km highway journey (truly any highway journey). Alya is an enormous fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.
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