The Coastal Portuguese Way- self guided bike tour

Cycling the Portuguese Coastal Way to St. Jame (Santiago) is an sensational and unforgettable adventure. It is an invitation to discover the Atlantic’s sandy beaches, ancient customs and welcoming people. From plateaus to mountains, from fields to coasts, monumental sites, works of art in the way of cathedrals, bridges, roads and monasteries, the route is full of pleasant surprises. The Coastal Way to Santiago is a route habitually taken by pilgrims coming from Portugal and by those choosing to cross the River Miño through A Guarda. The route, which heads northwards very close to the riverbanks, connects to the classic route that comes from Tui in Redondela.

ITINERARY
  2^nd day: OPORTO – ESPOSENDE (50 km - difficulty 2/3)
3^rd day: ESPOSENDE – CAMINHA (51 km - difficulty 1/3)
4^th day: CAMINHA - BAIONA (40 km - difficulty 2/3)
5^th day: BAIONA – VIGO (26 km - difficulty 2/3)
6^th day: VIGO – PONTEVEDRA(35 km - difficulty 2/3)
7^th day: PONTEVEDRA – PADRON (40 km - difficulty 2/3)
8^th day: PADRON – SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA (23 km - difficulty 2/3)
9^th day: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

The Price Includes:
- 8 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 and maps
- 24/7 telephone assistance (English-speaking)

The Price does not include:
- Lunches
- Caminha ferry
- Single room supplement: € 220
- Dinners supplement:€ 200
- 27 gears disc bike rental from Porto to Santiago: € 230
- 29 gears disc bike rental from Porto to Santiago:€ 275
- E-bike rental from St. Jean to Santiago:€ 495

PRICE PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE ROOM


DAILY DEPARTURES

 
 
1^st 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 cycling

2^nd day: OPORTO – ESPOSENDE (50 km - difficulty 2/3)
Follow the coastline on wooden boardwalks and pavements where you’ll encounter a series of wide sandy beaches, nature reserves and local fishermen at work before reaching the historical seaside town of Vila do Conde. Cut through the urban areas between Vila do Conde and the coastal resort town of Povoa de Varzim. Then cycle beside the coast and across beaches before heading inland through market gardens, woodland and villages. Admire the views as you cross the River Cávado to enter Esposende.

3^rd day: ESPOSENDE – CAMINHA (51 km - difficulty 1/3)
Today offers a series of villages interspersed with delightful patches of forest and rivers with views of distant mountain ranges. The Eiffel bridge over the River Lima offers spectacular views along the valley and estuary and the attractive historical and contemporary architecture of Viana do Castelo. There’s a steady climb up one mostly forested hill before the descent to the seaside town of Vila Praia de Âncora. Follow the coastal path between Âncora and Moledo and then continue to the pretty town of Caminha.
 
4^th day: CAMINHA - BAIONA (37 km - difficulty 2/3)
A short, scenic ferry journey takes you across the River Minho to the fishing town of A Guarda in Spain. There are about 10 crossings per day from Caminha to A Guarda (schedule varies depending on the season, no ferries on Monday). Then follow the Way through the town and along coastal pathways, forest tracks and tarmac roads to the small but attractive beachfront village of Oia with its 12th century monastery. Continue cycling through a rural coastal landscape of small fields, scattered houses and a few villages then cut across the mountains towards Baiona. This rugged uphill section offers a change of scenery and terrain before the final descent into the pretty resort town of Baiona.
 
5^th day: BAIONA – VIGO (26 km - difficulty 2/3)
The residential outskirts of Baiona gradually lead to more rural terrain and scattered villages interspersed with patches of woodland. A stint on a busy road ends with another series of villages before you reach Vigo where you’ll cut through Castrelos Park to skirt around the edge of the city.
 
6^th day: VIGO – PONTEVEDRA(35 km - difficulty 2/3)
Leave Vigo via its main shopping street and follow one long road through a string of quiet hillside villages. After several kilometres you’ll swap houses for trees and views of floating mussel farms, the Cíes islands and the city and port of Vigo before the descent into the town of Redondela. Cycle uphill through a forest then down to the riverside town of Arcade, renowned for its oysters. Ancient stone paths lead up through the woods and a scenic detour takes you along the River Tomeza. Pontevedra’s historical city centre is a maze of atmospheric squares filled with tapas bars.


7^th day: PONTEVEDRA – PADRON (40 km - difficulty 2/3)
Although fairly long, the journey to Padron is not difficult and is mostly through pleasant countryside including an attractive section of woodland. Bathe your feet in one of Caldas de Reis’ thermal springs and continue for a gentle climb through a series of hamlets and the charming woodlands of Valga. You’ll see several attractive churches and stone crosses on the way to Padrón, where St. James is originally said to have been buried.


8^th day: PADRON – SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA (23 km - difficulty 2/3)
Leave Padron for the final stage of your Camino. Pass through a series of Galician villages and the magnificent sanctuary of Nossa Señora da Escravitute. After a delightful wooded area you’ll begin to wend your way through the outskirts of Santiago and into the city centre. Enter the medieval streets that lead to Santiago Cathedral where your journey ends.
 
9^th 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.