Hi everyone,
I’m about to start my first long-distance trek: the Camino Portugués starting from Porto in early May. I’ve planned a "hybrid" start to see the ocean before joining the Central Way. Since it’s my first time, I’d love some feedback on my daily stages and my logistics for the end of the trip.
My planned itinerary:
- Day 1: Arrive in Porto, get the Credencial.
- Day 2: Porto to Vila do Conde via Senda Litoral. Taking the Metro to Matosinhos (Mercado) to walk the boardwalks (~24km).
- Day 3: Vila do Conde to São Pedro de Rates via the "Ligação" (Connection) along the Santa Clara Aqueduct (~15km).
- Day 4: Rates to Barcelos (~17km).
- Day 5: Barcelos to Ponte de Lima (~33km). I know this is a long one!
- Day 6: Ponte de Lima to Rubiães (~18km). Crossing the Labruja mountain.
- Day 7: Rubiães to Tui (~20km). Entering Spain!
- Day 8: Tui to Redondela (~32km).
- Day 9: Redondela to Pontevedra (~20km).
- Day 10: Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis (~21km).
- Day 11: Caldas de Reis to Padrón (~18km).
- Day 12: Padrón to Santiago de Compostela (~24km).
- Day 13: Bus from Santiago to Finisterre. Planning to watch the sunset at the "End of the World" and spend the night there.
- Day 14: Bus back to Santiago, then another bus to Porto. I already booked my Santiago -> Porto bus tickets because I saw they were selling out fast for May 19th!
- Day 15: Flight back home from Porto.
My questions for the experts:
The Connection (Ligação): How well-marked is the path from the Monastery in Vila do Conde to Rates? Is the Santa Clara Aqueduct easy to follow or should I rely on GPS for this specific stretch?
Experience: Has anyone else done this specific "hybrid" start? Is it easy to find the yellow arrows again once I reach the Albergue in Rates?
Boardwalks (Day 2): Are the boardwalks on the Litoral route very tiring for the knees compared to dirt paths?
The "Big" Days: I have two days over 30km (Day 5 and Day 8). For those who have done the Central route, are these stretches manageable for a first-timer if I start very early?
Logistics: Does the Finisterre-Santiago-Porto transit in one day (Day 14) sound too rushed? I really want to see the sunset at the lighthouse.
I’m a bit nervous as it’s my first time, but very excited! Any advice on this specific connection would be a lifesaver.
Buen Camino!