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OVERVIEW

The Portuguese Camino Spiritual Variant is said to be the first ever Camino (Primitivo being the first 'pilgrimage' route).  It follows the last part of the journey of the remains of Saint James (Santiago in Spanish) from Jerusalem to the Iberian Peninsula.

The walk includes a boat ride from Vilanova de Arousa to Pontecesures and what is said to be the most important part of the Variante Espiritual route. The Spiritual way splits from the Camino Portuguese after Pontevedra and rejoins it again in Pontecesures.  A very special way to obtain the coveted Camino Passport.

Highlights

  • The magnificent gothic town hall in the city of Porrino
  • Passing through lush forest to where the central and coastal routes merge
  • The wonderfully preserved old town of Pontevedra – a cultural overload!
  • Stunning landscapes and ancient monasteries
  • Walking alongside the beautiful Armenteira River
  • A boat trip to honour the journey of St James' remains to Ponteccessures
  • Enjoy the thrill of walking into Santiago de Compostela

WALK OVERVIEW

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

Grade 4 - Moderate to Challenging

Longer walking distances, up to 20km +. Steep hill sections and rough terrain. Walking experience and active lifestyle necessary.
PRICE FROM
$ 1495

per person twin/double share

SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$ 555

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

DOWNLOAD PDF
Departure Dates
Book now

ITINERARY

  • Day 1
  • Day 2
  • Day 3
  • Day 4
  • Day 5
  • Day 6
  • Day 7
  • Day 8
  • Day 9

DAY 1
ARRIVE IN VALENCA/TUI

Today you arrive in Valanca or Tui ( they are essentially the same place) and rest or explore both towns. Tui has some excellent restaurants and is worth a visit today, even though you pass through it almost immediately tomorrow. Before you leave Valenca/Tui make sure you visit the famous Gothic cathedral.

Accommodation: Valença, a 2-3-star country hotel

DAY 2
VALENÇA/TUI TO PORRINO

The path from Tui follows the Louro Valley via a forest track and crosses an ancient 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 3
PORRINO TO ARCADE

From Porrino, the walk makes its way through the forest of Chan das Pipas. 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 very important 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

DAY 4
ARCADE TO PONTEVEDRA

From your Arcade accommodation, we traverse 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 known for its well-preserved old town. 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

DAY 5
OSAINES SPIRITUAL VARIANT - PONTEVEDRA TO ARMENTEIRA

The walk starts today from Pontevedra, but the Spiritual way doesn’t begin until two kilometres out of town.

The Salnês Spiritual Variant traverses the stunning landscapes of Comarca and O Salnês via the village of Poio and its old monastery. Arrive at the coastal town of Combarro before you undertake the uphill climb to A Armenteira, the location of a magnificent 12th -century Monastery that is still in operation today.

Walking: Moderate to challenging/ 23 km or 14 miles / 6 to 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Armenteira, a 2-3-star country hotel

DAY 6
OSAINES SPIRITUAL VARIANT - ARMENTEIRA TO VILANOVA DE AROUSA

Today’s walk is among the most beautiful and pleasant on the Portuguese Camino. The way from Armenteira to Pontearnelas is called the “A Ruta da Pedra e da Auga” in the municipalities of Meis and Ribadumia. The track is under treed canopy much of the way and along the banks of the Armenteira River. Ancient watermills dot the riverside, as do small waterfalls and bridges.

The reward for walking 23 km is the town of Vilanova de Arousa and its glorious beaches.

Walking: Moderate to challenging/ 23 km or 14 miles / 6 to 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Vilanova de Arousa, a 2-3-star country hotel

DAY 7
OSAINES SPIRITUAL VARIANT - VILANOVA DE AROUSA VIA BOAT TO PONTECESSURES & WALK TO TEO

This day is effectively the last day on the Salnês Spiritual Variant before rejoining the traditional Portuguese Camino.

This journey is made by taking the Translatio route (the maritime path); taking a boat up the Ulla River and therefore honouring the journey that the remains of Saint James made to Pontecessures.

From Pontecessures, where you rejoin the Camino, we walk to Teo. The walking is easy and on fairly quiet and remote roads.

Walking: Easy to moderate / 13km or 8 miles / 3.5 to 4.5 hrs
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:Teo, a 2-3-star country hotel

DAY 8
TEO TO SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

The final stage from Teo begins with a gentle climb through woodlands. As you descend, the way travels long, quiet, bituminised lanes with the city of Santiago de Compostela in sight once you summit the next hill.

You’ll begin today with a steady but not arduous climb, mostly through woodlands, of 160m to a peak of 260m. As you descend, you will see the city of Santiago de Compostela ahead of you on the next hill.

About 4km from the city, you can stay amid greenery for as long as possible or stick with the original Way, which is more built up.  The last few km, regardless, are on tarmac roads. But after a long walk, this will be gratifying, given the end is within reach.

Walking: Easy to moderate / 14km or 8.7miles / 3.5 to 5 hrs
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Santiago de Compostela, a 3-star country hotel

DAY 9
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 to relax and soak up the atmosphere of this magnificent town?

Meals: Breakfast

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • Pack-free walking

  • 25+ years experience

  • Customised

  • Eco Travel

  • Walk 128km of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago (way of St James)from Porto all the way to Santiago de Compostela
  • 8 nights accommodation in 2 to 3 star character filled hotels (an upgrade to 4 star and better accommodation is available.)
  • Boat trip La Translatio
  • 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)
  • All luggage transfers
  • Take advantage of nearly 30 years of experience in organising self-guided walking holidays

ACCOMMODATION & DINING

OVERVIEW

Comfort is always a priority; at the end of each day, we ensure 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.

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 experience both on foot and 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.

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. Please note, 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.

TERRAIN

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.

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 15th of March to the 31st of October.

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 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 Valenca/Tui. To make it easy, we have collated some useful information that will assist you in making arrangements for your travel.

Porto 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.

The train takes just under 2 hrs to get to Valenca from Porto.

Santiago de Compostela airport is also another option; it takes 2hrs and 20 minutes by bus to get to Tui from the town centre.

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.

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 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 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 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 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 six 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
  • 15 Mar 2024 - 31 Oct 2024
    AVAILABLE
    from

    $1495

    SINGLE OCCUPANCY
    $555
    BOOK NOW
  • 1 Mar 2025 - 15 Nov 2025
    AVAILABLE
    from

    $1555

    SINGLE OCCUPANCY
    $575
    BOOK NOW

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Overview

OVERVIEW

The Portuguese Camino Spiritual Variant is said to be the first ever Camino (Primitivo being the first 'pilgrimage' route).  It follows the last part of the journey of the remains of Saint James (Santiago in Spanish) from Jerusalem to the Iberian Peninsula.

The walk includes a boat ride from Vilanova de Arousa to Pontecesures and what is said to be the most important part of the Variante Espiritual route. The Spiritual way splits from the Camino Portuguese after Pontevedra and rejoins it again in Pontecesures.  A very special way to obtain the coveted Camino Passport.

Highlights

  • The magnificent gothic town hall in the city of Porrino
  • Passing through lush forest to where the central and coastal routes merge
  • The wonderfully preserved old town of Pontevedra – a cultural overload!
  • Stunning landscapes and ancient monasteries
  • Walking alongside the beautiful Armenteira River
  • A boat trip to honour the journey of St James' remains to Ponteccessures
  • Enjoy the thrill of walking into Santiago de Compostela

WALK OVERVIEW

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

Grade 4 - Moderate to Challenging

Longer walking distances, up to 20km +. Steep hill sections and rough terrain. Walking experience and active lifestyle necessary.
PRICE FROM
$ 1495

per person twin/double share

SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$ 555

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

DOWNLOAD PDF
Departure Dates
Book now
Itinerary

ITINERARY

  • Day 1
  • Day 2
  • Day 3
  • Day 4
  • Day 5
  • Day 6
  • Day 7
  • Day 8
  • Day 9

DAY 1
ARRIVE IN VALENCA/TUI

Today you arrive in Valanca or Tui ( they are essentially the same place) and rest or explore both towns. Tui has some excellent restaurants and is worth a visit today, even though you pass through it almost immediately tomorrow. Before you leave Valenca/Tui make sure you visit the famous Gothic cathedral.

Accommodation: Valença, a 2-3-star country hotel

DAY 2
VALENÇA/TUI TO PORRINO

The path from Tui follows the Louro Valley via a forest track and crosses an ancient 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 3
PORRINO TO ARCADE

From Porrino, the walk makes its way through the forest of Chan das Pipas. 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 very important 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

DAY 4
ARCADE TO PONTEVEDRA

From your Arcade accommodation, we traverse 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 known for its well-preserved old town. 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

DAY 5
OSAINES SPIRITUAL VARIANT - PONTEVEDRA TO ARMENTEIRA

The walk starts today from Pontevedra, but the Spiritual way doesn’t begin until two kilometres out of town.

The Salnês Spiritual Variant traverses the stunning landscapes of Comarca and O Salnês via the village of Poio and its old monastery. Arrive at the coastal town of Combarro before you undertake the uphill climb to A Armenteira, the location of a magnificent 12th -century Monastery that is still in operation today.

Walking: Moderate to challenging/ 23 km or 14 miles / 6 to 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Armenteira, a 2-3-star country hotel

DAY 6
OSAINES SPIRITUAL VARIANT - ARMENTEIRA TO VILANOVA DE AROUSA

Today’s walk is among the most beautiful and pleasant on the Portuguese Camino. The way from Armenteira to Pontearnelas is called the “A Ruta da Pedra e da Auga” in the municipalities of Meis and Ribadumia. The track is under treed canopy much of the way and along the banks of the Armenteira River. Ancient watermills dot the riverside, as do small waterfalls and bridges.

The reward for walking 23 km is the town of Vilanova de Arousa and its glorious beaches.

Walking: Moderate to challenging/ 23 km or 14 miles / 6 to 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Vilanova de Arousa, a 2-3-star country hotel

DAY 7
OSAINES SPIRITUAL VARIANT - VILANOVA DE AROUSA VIA BOAT TO PONTECESSURES & WALK TO TEO

This day is effectively the last day on the Salnês Spiritual Variant before rejoining the traditional Portuguese Camino.

This journey is made by taking the Translatio route (the maritime path); taking a boat up the Ulla River and therefore honouring the journey that the remains of Saint James made to Pontecessures.

From Pontecessures, where you rejoin the Camino, we walk to Teo. The walking is easy and on fairly quiet and remote roads.

Walking: Easy to moderate / 13km or 8 miles / 3.5 to 4.5 hrs
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:Teo, a 2-3-star country hotel

DAY 8
TEO TO SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

The final stage from Teo begins with a gentle climb through woodlands. As you descend, the way travels long, quiet, bituminised lanes with the city of Santiago de Compostela in sight once you summit the next hill.

You’ll begin today with a steady but not arduous climb, mostly through woodlands, of 160m to a peak of 260m. As you descend, you will see the city of Santiago de Compostela ahead of you on the next hill.

About 4km from the city, you can stay amid greenery for as long as possible or stick with the original Way, which is more built up.  The last few km, regardless, are on tarmac roads. But after a long walk, this will be gratifying, given the end is within reach.

Walking: Easy to moderate / 14km or 8.7miles / 3.5 to 5 hrs
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Santiago de Compostela, a 3-star country hotel

DAY 9
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 to relax and soak up the atmosphere of this magnificent town?

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • Pack-free walking

  • 25+ years experience

  • Customised

  • Eco Travel

  • Walk 128km of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago (way of St James)from Porto all the way to Santiago de Compostela
  • 8 nights accommodation in 2 to 3 star character filled hotels (an upgrade to 4 star and better accommodation is available.)
  • Boat trip La Translatio
  • 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)
  • All luggage transfers
  • Take advantage of nearly 30 years of 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 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.

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 experience both on foot and 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.

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. Please note, 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.

TERRAIN

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.

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 15th of March to the 31st of October.

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 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 Valenca/Tui. To make it easy, we have collated some useful information that will assist you in making arrangements for your travel.

Porto 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.

The train takes just under 2 hrs to get to Valenca from Porto.

Santiago de Compostela airport is also another option; it takes 2hrs and 20 minutes by bus to get to Tui from the town centre.

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.

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 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 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 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 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 six 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
  • 15 Mar 2024 - 31 Oct 2024
    AVAILABLE
    Details
    from

    $1495

    SINGLE OCCUPANCY
    $555
    BOOK NOW
  • 1 Mar 2025 - 15 Nov 2025
    AVAILABLE
    Details
    from

    $1555

    SINGLE OCCUPANCY
    $575
    BOOK NOW
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