OVERVIEW

The Portuguese Camino de Santiago (or the Portuguese Way of St James) is one of the main pilgrim routes to Santiago – one of the most beautiful, and without the crowds. Walk from one world heritage site to another, from Porto (the birthplace of port wine) to the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela via some of the most scenic parts of Portugal. The hike begins at the coast and then heads inland through forest via gorgeous countryside trails. You'll pass vineyards, farms and some of Portugal's most important historic sites on the 'Way'.

This 223km walk is not for the faint hearted, but is sure to leave you with a huge sense of achievement.

Highlights

  • The challenge of walking 223km and claiming your Pilgrim's passport
  • Soaking up the magnificent history of north Portugal
  • The camaraderie of meeting fellow pilgrims along the 'way'
  • Wondering at ancient forts, bridges, ruins and churches
  • Beautiful rural villages, rivers, forests and medieval towns
  • Revelling in mouth-watering food and exquisite wines
  • The thrill of walking into Santiago de Compostela and its stunning cathedral to end your walk

WALK OVERVIEW

TYPE OF WALK
SELF GUIDED
TRIP LENGTH
14 DAYS
WALK GRADE
Moderate to Challenging

Grade 4 - Moderate to Challenging

Distances are longer up to 20 plus km. Steep hill sections and rough surfaces. Walking experience and active lifestyle necessary.

PRICE FROM
$ 1995

per person twin/double share

SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$ 795

Accommodations charge the same price per room regardless of whether there are one or two people occupying it. To cover the cost of a room when occupied by one person we need to charge the single occupancy fee.

per person

Book now

ITINERARY

  • Day 1
  • Day 2
  • Day 3
  • Day 4
  • Day 5
  • Day 6
  • Day 7
  • Day 8
  • Day 9
  • Day 10
  • Day 11
  • Day 12
  • Day 13
  • Day 14

DAY 1
PORTO

If you arrive early, there will be time to explore the world heritage Porto including the Ribeira area, the Bolsa Palace, and the beach or simply walk and explore this marvellous merchant city at your own leisure.

Accommodation: Porto, 3-star hotel

DAY 2
MOSTEIRÓ TO ARCOS

To start the walk, you’ll be transferred to Mosteiró, missing the less attractive urban segment of this section to begin your first stage of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. By doing this, you avoid the busy roads, and the first stage is reduced to 17 km, instead of almost 35 km. Walk via Vilarinho and cross the medieval bridge over the Ave before reaching the village of Arcos, where today’s walking finishes.

Walking: Moderate / 17 km or 10.5 miles / 5 to 6 hrs
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Arcos, a 2-3-star country hotel with breakfast included.

DAY 3
ARCOS TO BARCELOS

You walk out of your accommodation in Arcos on the Camino towards the ancient village of Rates and its imposing Romanesque church. Traverse through the villages of Courel and Pedra Furada via rural tracks with our final goal, the culturally attractive town of Barcelos, the end of this stage. Barcelos has a strong cultural identity and is jam-packed with historic buildings, including churches, forts, bridges, the ruins of Dukes of Braganza Palace, and much more.

Walking: Moderate / 20 km or 12.5 miles / 5.5 to 6.5 hrs
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Barcelos, 2-3-star country hotel with breakfast included.

DAY 4
BARCELOS TO QUINTIÃES

Walking out of Barcelos you first travel along the Camino through a rural area that still uses the small-scale farming practices that have existed for eons. There’s a good chance you’ll meet some villagers along the way. The track makes its way through the small villages of Tamil and Aboim past old windmills and other relics of yesterday, towards the River Neiva. Your final resting place for tonight is in the village of Quintiães.

Walking: Moderate / 16 km or 10 miles / 5 to 6 hrs
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Quintiães, a 2-3-star country hotel with breakfast included.

DAY 5
QUINTIÃES TO PONTE DE LIMA

We start the day by crossing the River Neiva on a medieval bridge that leads to the tiny village of Balugães. The Camino way follows more gorgeous rural paths today via magnificent countryside to the spectacular entrance into the stunning town of Ponte de Lima. We have made sure that you have time to explore the historical centre, the gardens or take a stroll or even sit by the river. Admiring the river and the Roman bridge over the river at night is a real highlight. In the evening, you can choose from a range of restaurants in Ponte de Lima where you can try traditional dishes like the local polvo à lagareiro (a baked octopus style dish) or bacalhau assado com broa (baked cod with cornbread) and a fine Loureiro white wine.

Walking: Moderate / 17 km or 10.5 miles / 5 to 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ponte de Lima, a 2-3-star country hotel with breakfast included.

DAY 6
PONTE DE LIMA TO COSSOURADO

Walking out of your accommodation each day makes for a real inn-to-inn experience. As you leave the medieval town of Ponte de Lima, we quickly return to nature. Today’s walk includes the climb to Labruja mountain. The 2 km walk uphill is the most demanding of the whole Portuguese Way of St James, however, the magnificent views are well worth the effort. Today, a small detour is worth taking to Rubias and the 12th Century Romanesque church. Tonight you rest in Cossourado.

Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 22 km or 13.6 miles / 7 to 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Cossourado, a 2-3-star country hotel with breakfast included.

DAY 7
COSSOURADO TO VALENCA

The Camino de Portuguese starts today by leaving the valley of the River Coura and climbing gently to Sao Bento da Porta Aberta, one of the most popular pilgrimage places in Portugal. The walk then finds its way through Fontoura, open fields and brushwood until you reach the ancient fortress town of Valença. Tonight you can dine across the river in one of Tui’s many excellent restaurants.

Walking: Moderate / 14 km or 8.7 miles / 4 to 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Valença, a 2-3-star country hotel with breakfast included.

DAY 8
VALENÇA TO PORRINO

Before you leave Valenca and Tui, make sure you visit the famous Gothic cathedral. The path from Tui follows the Louro Valley via a forest track and crosses a very old stone slab bridge to a wetland area where there’s an abundance of birdlife. Today’s walk ends in the city of Porrino in Spain, noteworthy for its magnificent Gothic town hall building at its centre.

Walking: Moderate / 19 km or 11.8 miles / 5.5 to 6.5 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Porrino, a 2-3-star country hotel with breakfast included.

DAY 9
PORRINO TO ARCADE

From Porrino, the walk goes through the Chan das Pipas forest. As you leave the forest, you’ll pass Redondela, where the central route and the coastal route merge. You walk into the town of Arcade in Spain, a small village that is renowned for its oysters and, interestingly, as a site of a crucial battle in the Napoleonic wars.

Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 22 km or 13.6 miles / 6 to 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Arcade, 2-3-star country hotel with breakfast included.

DAY 10
ARCADE TO PONTEVEDRA

From your accommodation in Arcade, we traverse what is one of the most beautiful sections of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. Today’s section is one of the shortest. Pontevedra is a city in northwest Spain and is known for its well-preserved old town. Namely, the Gothic Santa María la Mayor Basilica, the Ruínas de San Domingos, the remains of a 14th-century convent and the nearby Sexto Edificio museum showcases Galician art. In the evening, be like the Spanish and wander from one tapas bar to another.

Walking: Easy to moderate/ 13 km or 8 miles / 3 to 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Pontevedra, a 2-3-star country hotel with breakfast included.

DAY 11
PONTEVEDRA TO CALDAS DE REIS

Explore more of Pontevedra as you walk out of town into the pleasant countryside. This stage to Caldas de Reis is fairly long but fairly flat, so it is not that hard. A real highlight is soaking your feet in Caldas de Reis’ thermal springs, a great way to finish the day’s walking.

Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 22 km or 13.6 miles / 6 to 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Caldas de Reis, a 2-star country hotel with breakfast included.

DAY 12
CALDAS DE REIS TO PADRON

With only one more day after today, you’re nearly there! This section exits Caldas de Reis and takes you on a soft climb to the charming woodlands of Valga. There are lots of historical buildings along the way including many churches and stone crosses. Our final resting place for today is Padrón in Galicia. The town merges with the ancient and famous town of Iria Flavia a centre for religion, trade and Roman and Viking invasions of all things.

Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 18 km or 11.2 miles / 5 to 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Padrón, a 2-star country hotel with breakfast included.

DAY 13
PADRON TO SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

Your final stage. You will walk mostly through rural settings. This last stage is one of the toughest, but your goal is in sight. Enter the ancient city of Santiago de Compostela and enjoy the end of your journey at the cathedral. Celebrate your fantastic achievement. Savour all the culinary delights of Spain and your last meal on the Camino in the company of pilgrims that have travelled here from all parts of Spain and Europe.

Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 23 km or 14.3 miles / 6 to 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Santiago de Compostela, a 3-star country hotel with breakfast included.

DAY 14
LEAVE SANTIAGO

After breakfast, prepare for your onward journey. If you have time, explore the old city of Santiago de Compostela before you leave, or why not add a day and relax and soak up the atmosphere of this magnificent town?

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • Pack-free walking

  • 25+ years experience

  • Customised

  • Eco Travel

  • Walk the Portuguese Camino de Santiago (way of St James)from Porto all the way to Santiago de Compostela
  • 13 night’s accommodation in 2 to 3 star character filled hotels (an upgrade to 4 star and better accommodation is available.)
  • Breakfast on every day of the walk
  • On the ground support from local representatives
  • Our comprehensive set of notes, detailed walking itineraries, integrated maps and insider tips (where to get the best tapas plus a lot more)
  • Total walking distance of 230km, a real challenge
  • All transport on and off the track including luggage transfers
  • Take advantage of nearly 30 years experience in organising self-guided walking holidays

ACCOMMODATION & DINING

OVERVIEW

Comfort is always a priority, at the end of each day, we ensure that there is a hot shower, a comfortable bed, an en suite and plenty of quiet. We know that a comfortable night’s sleep ensures you’ll wake refreshed and primed, ready for the next day’s walking after a full breakfast. All the 2-3-star accommodations have been handpicked to reflect the character and history of the region.

On the upgraded, luxury version of this walk, the accommodations are all 4 stars or better.  Even though the accommodations are much more luxurious, they still reflect the culture of the region. In addition, you can still expect a warm country welcome each day and all the hospitality typical of being in a country in Portugal.

It’s not by chance that when walkers visit Portugal, they almost immediately fall in love with the food and wine here. In Portugal, all the dishes, recipes and ingredients have a story to tell. This is a world you’ll get to experience both on foot but also with your knife and fork. The Camino travels through many towns that are renowned for excellent authentic traditional food. In the North, it is worth frequenting Spanish Tapas bars to experience the wide range of local delicacies available ‘all at once.

Both Portugal and Spain have very old and sophisticated wine industries, and some of the wines you’ll find on this walk you won’t find anywhere else. However, alcohol or drinks with meals are not included (except tea/coffee and juice with breakfast).

FITNESS GUIDE

It’s well worth investing some time and effort preparing for your walking holiday. The graph shows the average daily distance, elevation and terrain difficulty for your hike. The dotted line indicates the average across all our walks, which will give you a feel for how challenging your walk is compared to all – and the recommended type, and amount, of preparation needed.  Of course, you can adapt this according to your existing fitness levels and lifestyle.

The graph and the information below can be used in conjunction with the fitness guide to help you prepare for your walking adventure. Across all walks, average daily distance is 16.8km, average daily elevation is 448m, average terrain difficulty is 5/10.

ngraph

DISTANCE - ABOVE AVERAGE

Distance training is a major consideration in your overall training program. 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 17-25 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 - ABOVE AVERAGE

Elevation training is a major consideration in your overall training program. You must include walks with serious hill climbs.

If you do not have access to hills, it is essential to replicate the elevation level you will be undertaking in any way possible such as on a treadmill or stair climber. Walking up and down stairs at work, at a local oval with a grandstand, or up and down small hills is incredibly useful. Also, prioritising resistance weight training will help you develop overall muscle strength.  Elevation is often where walkers encounter problems, opposed to distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles to everyday flat walking.

If high altitude is a factor, incorporate sessions at a higher altitude to acclimatise your body to reduced oxygen levels if you are able to. Ensure you can comfortably walk the average elevation per day displayed in the graph, at least one month before you undertake your hike.

MOUNTAINOUS / UNDULATING TERRAIN

As terrain associated with mountain climbs is often somewhat uneven and rocky, balancing and core exercises are vital.

Try to also include some form of elevation in more than 50% of your walking and prioritise resistance training, whilst incorporating stairs anytime you can. Walking up mountains or hills, up and down stairs at work, or up and down at a local oval with a grandstand is incredibly useful. Elevation is often where walkers encounter problems not distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles to everyday flat walking. Concentrate on doing lots of squats and lunges to build your glute muscles.

GENERAL INFO

AVAILABILITY

This trip is available from the 1st of March to the 1st of November.

WALKING

This track is well-graded and without a great deal of incline or decline. Walks on average about 19 km a day. There’s always time to walk and explore further if you’re up to it or to 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. An airport bus is 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

BUSES: This is information for those who may be catching a bus and/or starting their walk further along the track:

PORTO – PONTE DE LIMA:  Rede Expressos (www.rede-expressos.pt) coaches from Porto transit station (Campo 24 de Agosto, 125, 4300-096 Porto, Tel: +351 707 223 344) depart daily to Ponte de Lima.

PORTO – VALENÇA:  Rede Expressos (www.rede-expressos.pt) coaches from Porto transit station (Campo 24 de Agosto, 125, 4300-096 Porto, Tel: +351 707 223 344) depart daily to Valença.  Tickets can be purchased from the train station or on-line on the English language pages of the railway’s company’s website http://www.rede-expressos.pt/default.aspx no more than 14 days before your travel date. Tickets cannot be bought on the coach.

PORTO – VALENÇA:  AUTNA (www.autna.com) coaches from Porto Airport transit station (Bus stop of Galicia Bus on the Airport arrivals) depart daily to Valença (Single fare is between €9.00 and €12.00)

TRAINS: There are several trains to and from Porto (Train station of São Bento or Train station of Campanhã). Trains also transit daily to Valença. 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.

Our transport partners on the ground can also provide private transfers on all routes. Do not hesitate to contact us.

Travelling from the End of the walk

The walk finishes in Santiago de Compostella

By plane: There is an airport in Santiago de Compostella where you can catch flights. This site is useful in booking flights away from Santiago de Compostella.

www.google.com/flights

WEATHER

March through to October is usually warmer, with long sunny days, perfect for walking.

See Holiday Weather.com for information about 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 requiring international travel, you must have purchased travel insurance including medical evacuation coverage.

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

INFORMATION PACK

For nearly 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 a very detailed information pack and itinerary approximately 6 weeks out from departure outlining all the fine detail 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.

MAP

DEPARTURE DATES

  • DATES
    AVAILABILITY
    PRICE
    PER PERSON
    Single Occupancy
    DETAILS
  • 1 Mar 2024 - 31 Oct 2024
    AVAILABLE
    from

    $1995

    SINGLE OCCUPANCY
    $795

    Excluding High Season

  • 1 Jul 2024 - 30 Sep 2024
    AVAILABLE
    from

    $2095

    SINGLE OCCUPANCY
    $895

    High Season

  • 15 Mar 2024 - 31 Oct 2024
    AVAILABLE
    from

    $3095

    SINGLE OCCUPANCY
    $1795

    4 Star Hotels or better - Approx price please speak to office

  • 1 Mar 2025 - 31 Oct 2025
    AVAILABLE
    from

    $2075

    SINGLE OCCUPANCY
    $825

    Excluding High Season

  • 1 Jul 2025 - 30 Sep 2025
    AVAILABLE
    from

    $2180

    SINGLE OCCUPANCY
    $930

    High Season

  • 15 Mar 2025 - 31 Oct 2025
    AVAILABLE
    from

    $3220

    SINGLE OCCUPANCY
    $1865

    4 Star Hotels or better - Approx price please speak to office

REVIEWS

Customer Reviews

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  1. Peter S

    24 January, 2023 at 1:29 PM
    5

    You do not know what you don’t know. AusWalk took all the uncertainty and stress out of planning our walk. We have just completed the 14 day, 240 km Portuguese Camino. AusWalk went out of their way to provide the itinerary we wanted for our self guided walk from Porto, Portugal to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Their service providers in Portugal and Spain exceeded our expectations. The accommodations were exceptional and provided the rest and rejuvenation required each night to complete each stage of the 14 day walk. The personalised walking notes were invaluable and certainly ensured the best experiences and hassle free days as did the daily luggage relocation from one hotel to the next.

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Overview

OVERVIEW

The Portuguese Camino de Santiago (or the Portuguese Way of St James) is one of the main pilgrim routes to Santiago – one of the most beautiful, and without the crowds. Walk from one world heritage site to another, from Porto (the birthplace of port wine) to the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela via some of the most scenic parts of Portugal. The hike begins at the coast and then heads inland through forest via gorgeous countryside trails. You'll pass vineyards, farms and some of Portugal's most important historic sites on the 'Way'.

This 223km walk is not for the faint hearted, but is sure to leave you with a huge sense of achievement.

Highlights

  • The challenge of walking 223km and claiming your Pilgrim's passport
  • Soaking up the magnificent history of north Portugal
  • The camaraderie of meeting fellow pilgrims along the 'way'
  • Wondering at ancient forts, bridges, ruins and churches
  • Beautiful rural villages, rivers, forests and medieval towns
  • Revelling in mouth-watering food and exquisite wines
  • The thrill of walking into Santiago de Compostela and its stunning cathedral to end your walk

WALK OVERVIEW

TYPE OF WALK
SELF GUIDED
TRIP LENGTH
14 DAYS
WALK GRADE
Moderate to Challenging

Grade 4 - Moderate to Challenging

Distances are longer up to 20 plus km. Steep hill sections and rough surfaces. Walking experience and active lifestyle necessary.

PRICE FROM
$ 1995

per person twin/double share

SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$ 795

Accommodations charge the same price per room regardless of whether there are one or two people occupying it. To cover the cost of the accommodation when occupied by one person we need to charge the single occupancy fee.

per person

Book now
Itinerary

ITINERARY

  • Day 1
  • Day 2
  • Day 3
  • Day 4
  • Day 5
  • Day 6
  • Day 7
  • Day 8
  • Day 9
  • Day 10
  • Day 11
  • Day 12
  • Day 13
  • Day 14

DAY 1
PORTO

If you arrive early, there will be time to explore the world heritage Porto including the Ribeira area, the Bolsa Palace, and the beach or simply walk and explore this marvellous merchant city at your own leisure.

Accommodation: Porto, 3-star hotel

DAY 2
MOSTEIRÓ TO ARCOS

To start the walk, you’ll be transferred to Mosteiró, missing the less attractive urban segment of this section to begin your first stage of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. By doing this, you avoid the busy roads, and the first stage is reduced to 17 km, instead of almost 35 km. Walk via Vilarinho and cross the medieval bridge over the Ave before reaching the village of Arcos, where today’s walking finishes.

Walking: Moderate / 17 km or 10.5 miles / 5 to 6 hrs
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Arcos, a 2-3-star country hotel with breakfast included.

DAY 3
ARCOS TO BARCELOS

You walk out of your accommodation in Arcos on the Camino towards the ancient village of Rates and its imposing Romanesque church. Traverse through the villages of Courel and Pedra Furada via rural tracks with our final goal, the culturally attractive town of Barcelos, the end of this stage. Barcelos has a strong cultural identity and is jam-packed with historic buildings, including churches, forts, bridges, the ruins of Dukes of Braganza Palace, and much more.

Walking: Moderate / 20 km or 12.5 miles / 5.5 to 6.5 hrs
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Barcelos, 2-3-star country hotel with breakfast included.

DAY 4
BARCELOS TO QUINTIÃES

Walking out of Barcelos you first travel along the Camino through a rural area that still uses the small-scale farming practices that have existed for eons. There’s a good chance you’ll meet some villagers along the way. The track makes its way through the small villages of Tamil and Aboim past old windmills and other relics of yesterday, towards the River Neiva. Your final resting place for tonight is in the village of Quintiães.

Walking: Moderate / 16 km or 10 miles / 5 to 6 hrs
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Quintiães, a 2-3-star country hotel with breakfast included.

DAY 5
QUINTIÃES TO PONTE DE LIMA

We start the day by crossing the River Neiva on a medieval bridge that leads to the tiny village of Balugães. The Camino way follows more gorgeous rural paths today via magnificent countryside to the spectacular entrance into the stunning town of Ponte de Lima. We have made sure that you have time to explore the historical centre, the gardens or take a stroll or even sit by the river. Admiring the river and the Roman bridge over the river at night is a real highlight. In the evening, you can choose from a range of restaurants in Ponte de Lima where you can try traditional dishes like the local polvo à lagareiro (a baked octopus style dish) or bacalhau assado com broa (baked cod with cornbread) and a fine Loureiro white wine.

Walking: Moderate / 17 km or 10.5 miles / 5 to 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ponte de Lima, a 2-3-star country hotel with breakfast included.

DAY 6
PONTE DE LIMA TO COSSOURADO

Walking out of your accommodation each day makes for a real inn-to-inn experience. As you leave the medieval town of Ponte de Lima, we quickly return to nature. Today’s walk includes the climb to Labruja mountain. The 2 km walk uphill is the most demanding of the whole Portuguese Way of St James, however, the magnificent views are well worth the effort. Today, a small detour is worth taking to Rubias and the 12th Century Romanesque church. Tonight you rest in Cossourado.

Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 22 km or 13.6 miles / 7 to 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Cossourado, a 2-3-star country hotel with breakfast included.

DAY 7
COSSOURADO TO VALENCA

The Camino de Portuguese starts today by leaving the valley of the River Coura and climbing gently to Sao Bento da Porta Aberta, one of the most popular pilgrimage places in Portugal. The walk then finds its way through Fontoura, open fields and brushwood until you reach the ancient fortress town of Valença. Tonight you can dine across the river in one of Tui’s many excellent restaurants.

Walking: Moderate / 14 km or 8.7 miles / 4 to 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Valença, a 2-3-star country hotel with breakfast included.

DAY 8
VALENÇA TO PORRINO

Before you leave Valenca and Tui, make sure you visit the famous Gothic cathedral. The path from Tui follows the Louro Valley via a forest track and crosses a very old stone slab bridge to a wetland area where there’s an abundance of birdlife. Today’s walk ends in the city of Porrino in Spain, noteworthy for its magnificent Gothic town hall building at its centre.

Walking: Moderate / 19 km or 11.8 miles / 5.5 to 6.5 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Porrino, a 2-3-star country hotel with breakfast included.

DAY 9
PORRINO TO ARCADE

From Porrino, the walk goes through the Chan das Pipas forest. As you leave the forest, you’ll pass Redondela, where the central route and the coastal route merge. You walk into the town of Arcade in Spain, a small village that is renowned for its oysters and, interestingly, as a site of a crucial battle in the Napoleonic wars.

Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 22 km or 13.6 miles / 6 to 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Arcade, 2-3-star country hotel with breakfast included.

DAY 10
ARCADE TO PONTEVEDRA

From your accommodation in Arcade, we traverse what is one of the most beautiful sections of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. Today’s section is one of the shortest. Pontevedra is a city in northwest Spain and is known for its well-preserved old town. Namely, the Gothic Santa María la Mayor Basilica, the Ruínas de San Domingos, the remains of a 14th-century convent and the nearby Sexto Edificio museum showcases Galician art. In the evening, be like the Spanish and wander from one tapas bar to another.

Walking: Easy to moderate/ 13 km or 8 miles / 3 to 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Pontevedra, a 2-3-star country hotel with breakfast included.

DAY 11
PONTEVEDRA TO CALDAS DE REIS

Explore more of Pontevedra as you walk out of town into the pleasant countryside. This stage to Caldas de Reis is fairly long but fairly flat, so it is not that hard. A real highlight is soaking your feet in Caldas de Reis’ thermal springs, a great way to finish the day’s walking.

Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 22 km or 13.6 miles / 6 to 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Caldas de Reis, a 2-star country hotel with breakfast included.

DAY 12
CALDAS DE REIS TO PADRON

With only one more day after today, you’re nearly there! This section exits Caldas de Reis and takes you on a soft climb to the charming woodlands of Valga. There are lots of historical buildings along the way including many churches and stone crosses. Our final resting place for today is Padrón in Galicia. The town merges with the ancient and famous town of Iria Flavia a centre for religion, trade and Roman and Viking invasions of all things.

Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 18 km or 11.2 miles / 5 to 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Padrón, a 2-star country hotel with breakfast included.

DAY 13
PADRON TO SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

Your final stage. You will walk mostly through rural settings. This last stage is one of the toughest, but your goal is in sight. Enter the ancient city of Santiago de Compostela and enjoy the end of your journey at the cathedral. Celebrate your fantastic achievement. Savour all the culinary delights of Spain and your last meal on the Camino in the company of pilgrims that have travelled here from all parts of Spain and Europe.

Walking: Moderate to Challenging / 23 km or 14.3 miles / 6 to 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Santiago de Compostela, a 3-star country hotel with breakfast included.

DAY 14
LEAVE SANTIAGO

After breakfast, prepare for your onward journey. If you have time, explore the old city of Santiago de Compostela before you leave, or why not add a day and relax and soak up the atmosphere of this magnificent town?

What’s Included

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • Pack-free walking

  • 25+ years experience

  • Customised

  • Eco Travel

  • Walk the Portuguese Camino de Santiago (way of St James)from Porto all the way to Santiago de Compostela
  • 13 night’s accommodation in 2 to 3 star character filled hotels (an upgrade to 4 star and better accommodation is available.)
  • Breakfast on every day of the walk
  • On the ground support from local representatives
  • Our comprehensive set of notes, detailed walking itineraries, integrated maps and insider tips (where to get the best tapas plus a lot more)
  • Total walking distance of 230km, a real challenge
  • All transport on and off the track including luggage transfers
  • Take advantage of nearly 30 years experience in organising self-guided walking holidays
Accommodation & Dining

ACCOMMODATION & DINING

OVERVIEW

Comfort is always a priority, at the end of each day, we ensure that there is a hot shower, a comfortable bed, an en suite and plenty of quiet. We know that a comfortable night’s sleep ensures you’ll wake refreshed and primed, ready for the next day’s walking after a full breakfast. All the 2-3-star accommodations have been handpicked to reflect the character and history of the region.

On the upgraded, luxury version of this walk, the accommodations are all 4 stars or better.  Even though the accommodations are much more luxurious, they still reflect the culture of the region. In addition, you can still expect a warm country welcome each day and all the hospitality typical of being in a country in Portugal.

It’s not by chance that when walkers visit Portugal, they almost immediately fall in love with the food and wine here. In Portugal, all the dishes, recipes and ingredients have a story to tell. This is a world you’ll get to experience both on foot but also with your knife and fork. The Camino travels through many towns that are renowned for excellent authentic traditional food. In the North, it is worth frequenting Spanish Tapas bars to experience the wide range of local delicacies available ‘all at once.

Both Portugal and Spain have very old and sophisticated wine industries, and some of the wines you’ll find on this walk you won’t find anywhere else. However, alcohol or drinks with meals are not included (except tea/coffee and juice with breakfast).

Fitness Guide

FITNESS GUIDE

It’s well worth investing some time and effort preparing for your walking holiday. The graph shows the average daily distance, elevation and terrain difficulty for your hike. The dotted line indicates the average across all our walks, which will give you a feel for how challenging your walk is compared to all – and the recommended type, and amount, of preparation needed.  Of course, you can adapt this according to your existing fitness levels and lifestyle.

The graph and the information below can be used in conjunction with the fitness guide to help you prepare for your walking adventure. Across all walks, average daily distance is 16.8km, average daily elevation is 448m, average terrain difficulty is 5/10.

ngraph

DISTANCE - ABOVE AVERAGE

Distance training is a major consideration in your overall training program. 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 17-25 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 - ABOVE AVERAGE

Elevation training is a major consideration in your overall training program. You must include walks with serious hill climbs.

If you do not have access to hills, it is essential to replicate the elevation level you will be undertaking in any way possible such as on a treadmill or stair climber. Walking up and down stairs at work, at a local oval with a grandstand, or up and down small hills is incredibly useful. Also, prioritising resistance weight training will help you develop overall muscle strength.  Elevation is often where walkers encounter problems, opposed to distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles to everyday flat walking.

If high altitude is a factor, incorporate sessions at a higher altitude to acclimatise your body to reduced oxygen levels if you are able to. Ensure you can comfortably walk the average elevation per day displayed in the graph, at least one month before you undertake your hike.

MOUNTAINOUS / UNDULATING TERRAIN

As terrain associated with mountain climbs is often somewhat uneven and rocky, balancing and core exercises are vital.

Try to also include some form of elevation in more than 50% of your walking and prioritise resistance training, whilst incorporating stairs anytime you can. Walking up mountains or hills, up and down stairs at work, or up and down at a local oval with a grandstand is incredibly useful. Elevation is often where walkers encounter problems not distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles to everyday flat walking. Concentrate on doing lots of squats and lunges to build your glute muscles.

General Info

GENERAL INFO

AVAILABILITY

This trip is available from the 1st of March to the 1st of November.

WALKING

This track is well-graded and without a great deal of incline or decline. Walks on average about 19 km a day. There’s always time to walk and explore further if you’re up to it or to 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. An airport bus is 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

BUSES: This is information for those who may be catching a bus and/or starting their walk further along the track:

PORTO – PONTE DE LIMA:  Rede Expressos (www.rede-expressos.pt) coaches from Porto transit station (Campo 24 de Agosto, 125, 4300-096 Porto, Tel: +351 707 223 344) depart daily to Ponte de Lima.

PORTO – VALENÇA:  Rede Expressos (www.rede-expressos.pt) coaches from Porto transit station (Campo 24 de Agosto, 125, 4300-096 Porto, Tel: +351 707 223 344) depart daily to Valença.  Tickets can be purchased from the train station or on-line on the English language pages of the railway’s company’s website http://www.rede-expressos.pt/default.aspx no more than 14 days before your travel date. Tickets cannot be bought on the coach.

PORTO – VALENÇA:  AUTNA (www.autna.com) coaches from Porto Airport transit station (Bus stop of Galicia Bus on the Airport arrivals) depart daily to Valença (Single fare is between €9.00 and €12.00)

TRAINS: There are several trains to and from Porto (Train station of São Bento or Train station of Campanhã). Trains also transit daily to Valença. 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.

Our transport partners on the ground can also provide private transfers on all routes. Do not hesitate to contact us.

Travelling from the End of the walk

The walk finishes in Santiago de Compostella

By plane: There is an airport in Santiago de Compostella where you can catch flights. This site is useful in booking flights away from Santiago de Compostella.

www.google.com/flights

WEATHER

March through to October is usually warmer, with long sunny days, perfect for walking.

See Holiday Weather.com for information about 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 requiring international travel, you must have purchased travel insurance including medical evacuation coverage.

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

INFORMATION PACK

For nearly 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 a very detailed information pack and itinerary approximately 6 weeks out from departure outlining all the fine detail 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.

Map

MAP

Departure Dates

DEPARTURE DATES

  • DATES
    AVAILABILITY
    PRICE
    PER PERSON
    Single Occupancy
    DETAILS
  • 1 Mar 2024 - 31 Oct 2024
    AVAILABLE
    Details
    from

    $1995

    SINGLE OCCUPANCY
    $795
  • 1 Jul 2024 - 30 Sep 2024
    AVAILABLE
    Details
    from

    $2095

    SINGLE OCCUPANCY
    $895
  • 15 Mar 2024 - 31 Oct 2024
    AVAILABLE
    Details
    from

    $3095

    SINGLE OCCUPANCY
    $1795
  • 1 Mar 2025 - 31 Oct 2025
    AVAILABLE
    Details
    from

    $2075

    SINGLE OCCUPANCY
    $825
  • 1 Jul 2025 - 30 Sep 2025
    AVAILABLE
    Details
    from

    $2180

    SINGLE OCCUPANCY
    $930
  • 15 Mar 2025 - 31 Oct 2025
    AVAILABLE
    Details
    from

    $3220

    SINGLE OCCUPANCY
    $1865
Reviews

REVIEWS

Customer Reviews

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  1. Peter S

    24 January, 2023 at 1:29 PM
    5

    You do not know what you don’t know. AusWalk took all the uncertainty and stress out of planning our walk. We have just completed the 14 day, 240 km Portuguese Camino. AusWalk went out of their way to provide the itinerary we wanted for our self guided walk from Porto, Portugal to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Their service providers in Portugal and Spain exceeded our expectations. The accommodations were exceptional and provided the rest and rejuvenation required each night to complete each stage of the 14 day walk. The personalised walking notes were invaluable and certainly ensured the best experiences and hassle free days as did the daily luggage relocation from one hotel to the next.

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