What It's Like To Walk The Camino Portuguese Coastal Way

Pilgrims walking the coastal way of the Portuguese Camino | John Parker

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What It's Like To Walk The Camino Portuguese: Coastal Way

John experienced the Portuguese Camino in 2022 and decided to walk the Coastal Way, from Porto to Santiago in Spain. The Portuguese Camino is rising in popularity as more pilgrims seek alternatives to the iconic Camino Frances.

Read on to discover John's photos and experiences from his Camino Portuguese pilgrimage. Hopefully you'll be inspired to walk this route yourself!

Portuguese Camino sign showing the way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain | <i>Jaclyn Lofts</i>

"The Coastal Portuguese Camino.....what a great way to get to Santiago de Compostela!

I chose the 10-day, 200km (124 miles) coastal route from just north of Porto, Portugal starting at Viana do Castelo and following the coastal and forest paths north through A Guarda, Baiona, Vigo and Pontevedra before heading inland via Caldas de Reis and Padron to Santiago.

Pilgrims walking the coastal way of the Portuguese Camino | <i>John Parker</i>

The coastal section was special with the Celtic ruins above A Guarda and the beautiful old town of Pontevedra as two of many highlights. The forest paths were also special although mostly eucalypt forests now but many were old Roman paths with wagon/cart tracks ground into the hard granite.

Stunning scenery of the coastal Camino in Portugal | <i>John Parker</i>

It was a great combination of coastal scenery, quiet backroads through old stone villas/farmhouses and forests. There were no steep mountains to climb and the daily walks averaged between 14km and 26km + side excursions to beaches etc.

The Way was very well marked and easy to navigate for all. The meals and accommodation along the Way were good, bags were waiting in the foyers of all the overnight hotels when I arrived and I was blessed with fabulous autumn weather.....shorts and shirts.

Following the trail signs on the Portuguese Camino | <i>John Parker</i>

I met numerous other Camino walkers en route....from all over the globe....and we shared meals and many stories as we travelled.

Being shown 'the way' in Portugal | <i>John Parker</i>

Arriving at Santiago de Compostela was a magic, spiritual experience.....Buen Camino!

> View the Portuguese Camino: Coastal Way self-guided walk

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review of the Portuguese Camino: Coastal Way

"The hotels that were provided were excellent. Whether 4 star or 1 star, the rooms were clean and well stocked. The greatest asset your organization has is the people of establishments you have chosen to be associated with. Cheerful, very willing to help in whatever way they could, easy to talk with even with a language barrier on my part, very accommodating."

A huge thanks to John for sharing his Traveller Tale from the Camino Portuguese!

If you would like to experience this famous walk for yourself then view UTracks' comprehensive tours below.

> View the Portuguese Camino: Coastal Way self-guided walk
> View all Camino Portuguese tours
> View all Camino de Santiago tours

Is walking the Portuguese Camino on your bucket list, or have you already experienced the trail? Let us know in the comment section below.

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