We started the day by going back to the same bar to have breakfast, sadly without bumping into the lovely Canadian ladies again, though the place was full of pilgrims. Shortly after picking up the trail we ran into a local man with an umbrella – it was threatening rain on and off – who … More CP Coastal day 9 – Viladesuso to Sabaris

We started the day with a bit of a logistical mystery – according to my guidebook there should be a place called Hiringuito about half way, serving food and drink, but there was no sign of it on the Wise Pilgrim app. The very helpful man at reception searched Google for it, and then realised … More CP Coastal day 8 – A Guarda to Viladesuso

Today we would be leaving Portugal and enter Spain by boat from Caminha. We hadn’t walked for long before we could see the volcano looking mountain top on the other side of the water. Nanci had booked tickets for the crossing the day before, and there are two companies competing for business, so make sure … More CP Coastal day 7 – VP de Ancora to A Guarda

The night before I had heard from my camigo David that it was indeed possible to walk all the way from Viana along the shore, so we did. There were areas of soft sand, but manageable, some adventurous route choices, and most of all beautiful views. The only problem with this stage was that facilities … More CP Coastal day 6 – Viana to Vila Praia de Ancora

The next morning, after a brilliant hotel breakfast with Everything (yes, including hard boiled eggs), we asked the receptionist where the best trail was, because our guidebooks disagreed. She said we had to choose between sand and road, which both sounded like tough going. Luckily Nanci has long experience with beach walks, so she decided … More CP Coastal day 5 – Amorosa to Viana do Castelo

This is where I should have posted a photo of the breakfast hamper we were treated to the next morning, but we got so excited we forgot. It was an actual hamper, placed on a small stool by our table, with a thermos of coffee, a bottle of milk, another with juice, a choice of … More CP Coastal day 4 – Fao to Amorosa

Leaving Vila do Conde we had options – we chose to follow a long, quiet street straight back to the beach, and met two German ladies going the opposite way to follow their chosen path. The Wise Pilgrim app was invaluable on this walk, highly recommended! Safely back on the sandy path, we walked past … More CP Coastal day 3 – Vila do Conde to Fao

The next morning I spoke to the server in the top floor bar/café, who had walked to Santiago in seven days … he said he would love to do it again, but over two weeks next time. Finding our way into Matosinhos town centre was easy enough, and we saw lots of pilgrims starting from … More CP Coastal day 2 – Matosinhos to Vila do Conde

The first day of our Camino Portugués Coastal route was mild, overcast, perfect for walking. We packed up, left the building and made our way to the cathedral for a stamp before heading off towards the river. I am by no means a camino purist, but we had decided we wanted to walk out to … More CP Coastal day 1 – Porto to Matosinhos