The Camino from Portugal and Spain to Santiago de Compostela is also called the Portuguese or Central Route. The itinerary in this case covers the last 250 Km of the Portuguese Route and begins in Oporto. This Camino takes in wooded areas, farmlands and hamlets, as well as historic towns and cities. On this section of the Portuguese Route, you will walk long ancient paths used in the 13th century by Queen Isabel of Portugal on her way to Santiago de Compostela. This is a perfect route even if there are a couple of difficult points for cycling pilgrims.
ITINERARY
1st day: ARRIVAL IN
OPORTO.
2nd day:
OPORTO - BARCELOS (52 Km - difficulty 1/3).
3rd day:
BARCELOS - RUBIAES (SAN ROQUE) (49 Km - difficulty 3/3)
4th day:
RUBIAES(SAN ROQUE) - REDONDELA (53 Km - difficulty 1/3)
5th day:
REDONDELA - CALDAS DE REIS (41 Km– difficulty 1/3)
6th day:
CALDAS DE REIS - SANTIAGO (49 Km - difficulty 2/3)
7th day:
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
The Price Includes:
- 6 nights in handpicked hotels and inns, all with en-suite accommodation, on a bed and breakfast basis
- Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
(1 x max. 20kg bag per person)
- Travel insurance
- Credencial (Pilgrim’s passport)
- Tips & maps.
- 7/24 telephone assistance (English speaking)
The Price does not include:
- Lunches
- 27 gears disc bike rental from Porto to Santiago:€ 190
- 29 gears disc bike rental from Porto to Santiago:€ 250
- E-bike rental from St. Jean to Santiago:€ 320
- Single room supplement: € 200
- Dinners supplement: € 180
PRICE PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE ROOM
DAILY DEPARTURES
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY
1st day: ARRIVAL IN OPORTO.
Fill in your pilgrim’s passport and visit the fantastic monuments in this UNESCO-listed old town and stroll along the picturesque riverfront in the home of port wine. Discover the best of Portuguese hospitality before you begin walking !
2nd day: OPORTO - BARCELOS (
52 Km - difficulty 1/3).
The “Caminho” starts at Oporto Cathedral. From Maia, you will be walking on a quiet country route with many interesting churches along the way. In Arcos you can visit the beautiful church of a former convent. There are no major changes of scenery, although there is an increasing amount of woodland. You will pass by the villages of Courel and Pedra Furada, before following country roads to reach the town of Barcelos where you will have time to visit the main monuments in this old market town.
3rd day: BARCELOS - RUBIAES (49 Km - difficulty 2/3)
Today’s stage leaves Barcelos and follows minor roads until the River Neiva, which is crossed by a Medieval bridge just before the village of Balugães. This is a day of country roads and a magnificent stroll through the hamlets of Facha, Seara and Correlhã, finally reaching Ponte de Lima along the Avenue of Plátanos, beside the river with its stunning views. At the far side of the bridge, you will take a right turn into the countryside and the farming parish of Arcozelo. Agriculture becomes scarce after Labruja with the landscape until Portela Pequena turning into a tree-covered upland.
4th day: RUBIAES - REDONDELA (53 Km - difficulty 1/3)
You will leave the valley of the River Coura and start a gentle climb to S. Bento da Porta Aberta, the site of a famous religious festival. The route continues on to Fontoura through fields and brushwoods until we reach the fortified town of Valença. Cross the River Minho on the metal bridge inspired by the work of Gustave Eiffel and take a walk through the streets of the Medieval village of Tui . After crossing the Veiga bridge, you will reach one of the most beautiful stretches on the entire route – the River Louro valley. A steep descent starts here that leads us towards the end of this stage, Redondela
5th day: REDONDELA - CALDAS DE REIS (41 Km - difficulty 1/3)
From Arcade, the route continues on to Pontesampayo where we will cross a long medieval bridge over the River Verdugo and then enter a cluster of narrow streets that will guide us to one of the most beautiful stretches on the Caminho: a series of old by-ways which climb up the slope of Canicouva to Cacheiro. After crossing the mountains, the track, now dominated by fields, vineyards and orchards, widens again until we reach Pontevedra for a well-deserved rest. We finally reach Caldas de Reis via the church of Santa Maria, close to the bridge over the River Umia, where this stage ends.
6th day: CALDAS DE REIS - SANTIAGO (49 Km - difficulty 1/3)
We leave Caldas de Reis via some enchanting stretches of the Way, across the Medieval bridge over the River Bermaña, following a path that leads us to the village of Cruceiro, on an picturesque trail through forests and meadows. After crossing the River Ulla, we arrive at Padron. You finally start to see Santiago de Compostela in the distance and at Agro dos Monteiros, you will be able to see the towers of the Cathedral for the first time. After crossing the River Sar, you will make your way through the suburbs of the city to the Faxeira gate, the entrance for the Portuguese Route in this old city.
7th day: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
After breakfast, go to exchange your pilgrim’s passport, if you haven’t already done it. Alternatively, we suggest you visit the cathedral and the surrounding areas or attend a pilgrim mass
