Portuguese Camino Highlights: Porto to Santiago – 8 Days

DISTANCE - AVERAGE

Distance training is a not a major consideration in your overall training program although there is one longer walk in the itinerary. As you progress, incorporate longer walks into your training plan.

Schedule one or two long walks each week, gradually increasing the distance until you can comfortably cover 16-20 km in a single day. Also include walks on consecutive days to help your body adapt to the demands of walking for multiple days in a row. Take every opportunity you can to walk. If you have a fitness watch or phone, you should try to reach >15,000 steps every day.

Ensure you can comfortably walk the average distance per day displayed in the graph, at least one month before you undertake your hike.

ELEVATION - BELOW AVERAGE

Elevation training is not a major consideration in your overall training program. However, you should still incorporate some form of resistance training to increase your endurance.

FLAT TERRAIN

Whilst training for walking on flat and hard terrain, you should focus on building endurance and ensuring you can maintain a comfortable pace.

Start with regular walks on sidewalks, roads, or paved paths to get used to the surface. Maintain a proper posture and engage your core muscles to support your back, keeping a steady gait. Ensure that you have comfortable, supportive footwear with adequate cushioning. If endurance is important, consider incorporating low-impact cross-training activities like swimming or cycling into your routine.

LUGGAGE

Your Luggage will be transported ahead of you each day whilst you are out walking. Please remember to identify your luggage by attaching the luggage tag provided in your Welcome Kit upon arrival. 1x piece of luggage with a maximum weight of 20kg is included. If you will have more than this there will be additional costs or alternatively you may store some in Porto if you plan to return there after your Camino. Please contact us if you specific luggage questions and/or requirements.

WALKING

The track is well-graded and without a great deal of incline or decline. You also will walk along a variety of quiet rural roads. In most locations there is always time to walk around the quaint towns and villages and explore further if you’re up to it or relax and simply enjoy the towns/villages each evening.

GETTING THERE AND AWAY

Travelling to the Start of the walk

You will need to get yourself to and from the start and end of your walk. i.e. you will need to organise your travel to the start of the walk in Porto. To make it easy we have collated some useful information that will assist you in making arrangements for your travel.

Porto Airport, (Airport Francisco Sá Carneiro), Maia (+351) 229 432 400 is about 11 km from the city centre. There are regular flights from and to almost all major European cities. There is an airport bus available from outside the terminal which takes you to the city centre. The Metro line connects the Airport to the city centre, offering a fast and comfortable ride into the heart of the city.

To book flights we have found this site helpful

www.google.com/flights

TRAINS: There are several trains to and from Porto (Train station of São Bento or Train station of Campanhã).  The metro lines link the airport to both train stations: Tickets can be purchased from the train station or on-line on the English language pages of the railway’s company’s website https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en  no more than 28 days before the travel date. Tickets cannot be bought on the train.

Travelling from the End of the walk

The walk finishes in Santiago de Compostella

By rail: The train from Santiago de Compostela back to Lisbon takes about 7 hours. However, you might be better served to head to an alternate destination.  San Sebastian, Salamanca or Seville, there are so many great options it’s difficult to decide.

By plane: There are flights from Santiago de Compostela to other parts of Europe. Below are possible websites that provide a number of different carriers to choose from.

https://www.kayak.com/flights
www.google.com/flights

WEATHER

Autumn ( September and October) is usually warm to cool with long sunny days, perfect for walking. See  Porto weather for average temperatures and rainfall at different times of the year.

INSURANCE

We require that you have adequate travel insurance against potential losses, damage or injury, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.

For all trips that require international travel, you must have purchased travel insurance that also includes medical evacuation coverage.

We also charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it to cover costs incurred from our suppliers and in the office.  See the FAQ section for more information.

INFORMATION PACK

For over 30 years we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know, even with that in mind, that you’ll have many more questions. You will receive  detailed information pack and itinerary approximately 6 weeks prior to your departure which will outline all the fine details for you and much more.

CONTACT

If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants. You can get in touch with us via our contact form, email us at info@auswalk.com.au, or call us on +61 3 9597 9767.