Camino Portugués Coastal Way: Stage 2

10 Days & 9 Nights 5 Read 1 reviews

Enjoy a quieter Camino experience away from the crowds
Arriving in Santiago and gaining your Compostela certificate
Explore the medieval towns of Baiona, Pontevedra and Padron
Feast on delicious Galician seafood including the famous Pulpo (Octopus)

The final stage of the Camino Portugues Coastal Way starts in A Guarda and finishes in Santiago de Compostela. Pass the historic medieval towns of Baiona, Pontevedra and Padron. Cross beautiful Romanesque bridges and dine on some of Galicia's gastronomic delights. Finally, meet up with the main Camino Portugues route before arriving at the wonderful city of Santiago where all pilgrims come together.

What To Expect

Travel Restrictions

This is a great alternative to the main Camino Portugues route if you are looking for a quieter trail away from the crowds. Graded moderate, you will walk for between 13 and 26km a day on mostly flat terrain. Overnight stays are in small hotels and guesthouses or larger hotels in the big cities. This is the final stage of the walk from A Guarda to Santiago and will enable you to qualify for your Compostela certificate having walked the final 100km.

Trip Style:

Self Guided | Go at your own pace on an independent holiday.

Activity:

Pilgrim Trail | You will follow a historic pilgrimage trail, in the footsteps of generations of travellers

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Spiritual Journeys, Personal Growth, Coastal & Island

Grade & Terrain

This walk is graded as moderate overall and includes daily walks of between 13 and 26km on mostly flat terrain. You will follow a mixture of coastal paths, wooden walkways, dirt tracks and some roads closer to the bigger cities and towns.

Navigation

The Camino Portuguese coastal route is not as well way-marked as the main Camino Portuguese but we provide detailed route notes and maps as well as a guidebook. You will also have access to the Macs Adventure Smartphone App so you can follow the route using your phones GPS so you will have no problems finding the way.

Accommodation Information

9 nights accommodation is included in small rural hotels and hostels. You will always have a private room and en-suite bathroom. In the larger towns, you will stay in 3* hotels.

You can add extra nights at any point during your stay, and we particularly recommend extending your stay in Santiago.

Solo Walkers & Single Rooms

This trip is available to solo walkers for a supplement. Single rooms are also available for a supplement.

Meals

A local breakfast is included each morning which usually consists of a coffee and bread with jams. Lunch and dinner are not included as standard so you are free to choose from the available options.

Included

9 nights in small rural hotels and hostels in twin/double rooms with en-suite W/C
9 Breakfasts
Daily Baggage Transfers
A detailed information pack including route notes, maps and local information
Access to our smartphone app & GPS tracks
24-7 emergency support from our local and UK offices in the event of a problem

Excluded

Return travel to Portugal/Spain
Lunches, snacks or drinks
Travel Insurance
Personal Equipment
Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage

Extras

Additional nights accommodation along the way.

When To Go

You can start your walk anytime between the beginning of March and the end of October subject to availability. As the ferry between Caminha and A Guarda does not operate on a Monday it is not possible to start this tour on a Wednesday. Please also keep this in mind if you are adding any additional nights. July and August can get very hot so please bear this in mind if walking at this time of year.

Getting to the Start

By Air: The closest airport to A Guarda is Vigo which you can reach by flights via Madrid with Iberia. From here, you can then take the bus to A Guarda but it involves 2 changes and takes just under 3 hours. Instead, we recommend taking a taxi straight from the airport or we can pre-book this for you at an additional cost.

Alternatively, you can fly into Santiago de Compostela. From there, take the shuttle bus to the train station in Santiago and travel from there by bus via Vigo to A Guarda (approx 3hrs). We recommend checking timetables in advance at the useful travel planning website www.rome2rio.com

Getting from the End

By Air: If flying to the UK, low-cost airlines such as EasyJet and Ryanair offer direct flights to London Stansted and London Gatwick. For travelling to the rest of Europe or the US, you can fly from Santiago via Madrid with Iberia, via Frankfurt with Lufthansa or via Paris or Barcelona with Vueling. Other options are available and you can check Santiago Airports website for more information.

By Rail: It is also possible to take the train from Santiago to Madrid (approx 7hrs). Train timetables and fares can be viewed at RENFE.

Baggage Transfer

Baggage transfers are included (max 20kg per person). Your main bag will be transferred each day between your overnight accommodation so that you only need to walk with a day pack.

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes.

Equipment

Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, lightweight clothes, waterproofs and a day pack.

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