Portuguese Coastal Camino

Introduction
Minho Portugal
This 3-week hiking holiday allows you to enjoy the coastal scenery, gorgeous countryside and charming towns and villages of northern Portugal and Spain at a relaxed pace. Take some time to appreciate your surroundings and avoid over exertion.

Each day, you will walk from 7 km to a maximum of 18 km. If you prefer to take your time, or simply aren’t as fit as you used to be, this is an itinerary that most people will find both manageable and rewarding.

Accomodation

Accommodations
Your package includes accommodation mostly in 2 and 3* hotels along the way.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel in Porto
Night 2: Hotel in Vila do Conde
Night 3: Hotel in Apulia
Night 4: Hotel in Esposende
Night 5: Hotel in Castelo do Neiva
Night 6: Hotel in Viana do Castelo
Night 7: Hotel in Vila Praia de Âncora
Night 8: Hotel in A Guarda
Night 9: Hotel in Oia
Night 10-11: Hotel in Baiona
Night 12: Hotel in Vigo
Night 13: Hotel in Redondela
Night 14: Hotel in Arcade
Night 15-16: Hotel in Pontevedra
Night 17: Hotel in Caldas de Reis
Night 18: Hotel in Padron
Night 19: Hotel in Teo
Night 20: Hotel in Santiago de Compostela

Room Occupancy
Solo travelers will need to pay a single supplement fee.


Meals
All breakfasts are included. Lunches and Dinners need to be paid extra.

Special diets and dietary restrictions:
We can cater to dietary requirements with advanced notice.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary - Subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival to Porto
When you check into your hotel, you will receive your Welcome Kit, which contains all the information you need to fully enjoy this self-guided walking holiday.
Meals included: none
Overnight in 3* hotel in Porto

Day 2: Labruje to Vila do Conde
Skip the outskirts of Porto and begin your Camino from the sandy beach at Labruge. Enjoy varied beachscapes as you make your way north along the coast to the historical town of Vila do Conde, at the mouth of the River Ave.
Hiking about 16 km / 10 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel in Vila do Conde

Day 3: Vila do Conde to Apúlia
Pass the magnificently carved Manueline parish church as you leave Vila do Conde. Once you hit the seaside resort and fishing town of Póvoa de Varzim, you’ll be back by the ocean, for a day spent mostly on wooden boardwalks and backroads. You will eventually end up in the fishing and farming village of Apúlia.
Hiking about 17 km / 10.5 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel in Apulia

Day 4: Apúlia to Esposende
From Apúlia, you’ll head inland through patches of forest and market gardens to cross the wide estuary and nature reserve of the Cavado River, before entering the town of Esposende. Explore its residential neighbourhoods and main shopping street, in the historical center.
Hiking about 8 km / 5 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel in Esposende

Day 5: Esposende to Castelo do Neiva
After a brief glimpse of the ocean on your way out of Esposende, you will head inland once more in order to cross the Neiva River, before reaching your delightful accommodation in a country house.
Hiking about 12 km / 7.5 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel in Castelo do Neiva

Day 6: Castelo do Neiva to Viana do Castelo
Today’s walk takes you through attractive countryside and small villages before heading downhill through the town of Darque, to cross the River Lima on a long metal bridge with wonderful views of the mountains and estuary.
You’ll be spending the night in the gorgeous small city of Viana do Castelo, which has lots of restaurants and attractive medieval streets to explore.
Hiking about 13 km / 8 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel in Viana do Castelo

Day 7: Viana do Castelo to Vila Praia de Âncora
A gentle climb takes you out of the city through a series of villages and patches of forest. There is one significant, mostly forested hill to climb before you descend to the low-key fishing and seaside resort town of Vila Praia de Âncora.
Hiking about 18 km / 11 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel in Vila Praia de Âncora

Day 8: Vila Praia de Âncora to A Guarda
This attractive stage takes you along the coast to the town of Moledo, with its vast expanse of sand and views of Spain. Cross an ancient pine forest and follow the mouth of the river to reach the medieval centre of Caminha. Cross the River Minho by ferry (weather dependent) then make your way uphill to the coastal city of A Guarda, in Galicia.
Hiking about 14 km / 8.7 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel in A Guarda

Day 9: A Guarda to Oia
This is one the most attractive stages on this route. The coastal scenery between A Guarda and Oia is rugged and unspoilt. End the day in a small coastal village that is dominated by an ancient monastery overlooking a small bay.
Hiking about 14 km / 8.7 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel in Oia

Day 10: Oia to Baiona
You’ll spend the first part of the day off-road, near the ocean, before following the coastal road through Mougas. Then climb a hill on an ancient path before a long and gentle descent towards the attractive coastal city of Baiona and its abundance of tapas restaurants.
Hiking about 17 km / 10.6 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel in Baiona

Day 11: Baiona to Corujo
After leaving Baiona and its outskirts to enter more rural environs, you’ll cross an ancient bridge with an interesting legend to reach A Ramallosa. The last few kilometres are in an eucalyptus forest that brings you to the busy main road at Corujo. From here, you’ll transfer back to your hotel in Baiona for the night.
Hiking about 15 km / 9.3 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel in Baiona

Day 12: Corujo to Vigo
Take a transfer from Baiona to the point where you stopped walking the day before. Once you leave the busy main road, you’ll walk through several villages before reaching the outskirts of Vigo. The Camino leads you through the popular Parque de Castrelos for a welcome walk-through greenery and beside streams to reach your Vigo hotel.
Hiking about 11 km / 6.8 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel in Vigo

Day 13: Vigo to Redondela
Today you’ll get to see more of Vigo city centre as you walk along the main shopping street and more residential neighbourhoods. Once the city is behind you, a quiet backroad, unpaved in parts, will lead you through a string of hillside villages with spectacular views of the Vigo estuary and the floating mussel farms. A pleasant forest section ends with a steep descent to the town of Redondela.
Hiking about 15 km / 9.3 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel in Redondela

Day 14: Redondela to Arcade
From now on you will be following the Central Camino all the way to Santiago. This short walking day takes you out of Redondela then up a wooded hill before bringing you to the riverside town of Arcade. You will have plenty of time after you arrive to make your own way down to the waterfront or sample the local oysters.
Hiking about 7 km / 4.3 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel in Arcade

Day 15: Arcade to Pontevedra
You will cross an ancient and historically significant bridge to leave Arcade before making your way gradually uphill along ancient stone paths through attractive countryside and forest. A gradual descent brings you to the tiny chapel of Santa Marta. From here, a pretty detour leads you into Pontevedra alongside the River Tomeza and wooded streams.
Hiking about 13 km / 7 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel in Pontevedra

Day 16: Pontevedra to San Mauro
Cross the sturdy ancient bridge to leave Pontevedra’s medieval centre. Once you reach the railway line, you’ll be in proper countryside, passing Santa Maria de Alba church before the steady climb to the village of San Amaro where you’ll end the day’s walk and be driven back to Pontevedra for the night.
Hiking about 10 km / 6.2 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel in Pontevedra

Day 17: San Mauro to Caldas de Reis
Pick up the Camino trail from San Amaro to walk downhill towards the Barosa River and take note of the numerous stone crosses that dot the countryside – a sure sign that you are nearing Santiago. You’ll briefly follow the River Lamas before reaching the entrance to the Rio Barosa Natural Park. From here, you’ll walk along roads and through farmland to reach the spa town of Caldas de Reis where you can bathe your feet in the sulphuric waters.
Hiking about 12 km / 7.5 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel in Caldas de Reis

Day 18: Caldas de Reis to Padron
Use the medieval bridge to leave Caldas de Reis and follow the River Bermaña through an attractive patch of countryside. After crossing a few roads, your steady climb continues through the Valga forest before descending to the village of San Miguel de Valga. Stop to admire the sculptures on the stone cross at Infesta, before crossing the bridge at Pontecessures and entering Padron alongside the River Sar. Padron is full of references to the arrival of St. James’ body here by boat.
Hiking about 18 km / 11.2 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel in Padron

Day 19: Padron to Teo
The Romanesque church at Iria Flavia is an important part of the Camino story and local history while the Marian church at A Esclavitude offers a complete contrast in architectural style. You’ll pass through a few villages before reaching the delightful Parada de Francos, famed for its ornate stone cross and oak trees. You will spend the night here.
Hiking about 12 km / 7.5 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel in Teo

Day 20: Teo to Santiago de Compostela
Your final stage begins in the countryside and takes you through a very pretty section of woodland as you make your way up towards Milladoiro, for your first glimpse of Santiago Cathedral. To get there, you first need to head down to the River Sar before the final gentle ascent to the city of Santiago de Compostela. Enter the medieval zone along the bustling Rua Franco to reach the cathedral.
Hiking about 14 km / 8.7 miles
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel in Santiago de Compostela

Day 21: Departure
End of our services after breakfast.
Meals: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Portuguese Coastal Camino

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Porto
Airport: Porto Airport
Transfer:

Climate:
                                                Esposende area