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Walking The Camino Portuguese Coastal Route: Baiona To Vigo, Spain

This was a big day at 27 km, but it was also my favorite day’s walk. The official Camino route goes inland through hills, but there is an alternative coastal route that is not so well way-marked but a beautiful day by the sea.

I left while it was still dark and walked along the waterfront and boardwalks to the bridge at A Ramallosa. To take the coastal route, turn left here, even though there are no signs. I met a pilgrim the next day who walked straight here and bitterly regretted taking the official route away from the beaches.

Walking The Camino Portuguese Coastal Route: Oia to Baiona, Spain

Religious, Walking

It was still raining as I left the next morning, but I like walking in the rain as it’s cool and quiet. 19km day.

Walking The Camino Portuguese Coastal Route: A Guarda to Oia, Spain

Religious, Walking

Another (much-needed) shorter day at 15km. I didn’t take any complete rest days, so these shorter walks were helpful for restoring some energy, as the days ahead grew longer in terms of kilometers.

There was a tail end of a hurricane threatening and the clouds were gathering as I walked out of A Guarda.

Walking north from A Guarda, Spain Photo by JFPenn

Walking The Camino Portuguese Coastal Route: Vila Praia de Ancora, Portugal, to A Guarda, Spain

Religious, Walking

This was a short walk (14km) with a river crossing into Spain.

I walked out of Vila Praia de Ancora early through the detritus of the festival and the party-goers who had been up all night. There were still some fireworks going off occasionally, so it was definitely a good night for some! I slept through it all with the help of earplugs.

Bom Caminho sign Walking out of Vila Praia de Ancora Photo by JFPenn

Walking The Camino Portuguese Coastal Route: Viana do Castelo to Vila Praia de Ancora, Portugal

Religious, Walking

There are two routes onward — a coastal path and a shaded one, which is the official one. I was going to take the coastal route but once I saw the weather forecast for another hot day, I chose the shaded path — and was grateful for it!

The day began with walking in quiet, stony back streets at Carreco. You can see how these stony paths are hard on the feet over repeated days!

Stony back streets at Carreco Photo by JFPenn

Walking The Camino Portuguese Coastal Route: Esposende to Viana do Castelo, Portugal

Religious, Walking

The 27km walk out of Esposende began through urban back streets. On this route, you can never escape the Portuguese hand-tiled roads that are particularly hard on the feet!

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