Hiking the Coastal Way to Santiago

Hiking the Coastal Way to Santiago

The Portuguese Coastal Way follows a pilgrimage route, linking the major towns of Porto and Santiago de Compostela. Along this beautiful route of the Saint James Way, every day you’re presented with a different scenery, offering views over the rural landscapes and the intertwine sandy and rocky coastline.

The route crosses old villages, towns and cities, rich in culture and filled with the camino stories. Churches and monuments along the route tell the history of this less trodden St. James Way. You will immerse in the true spirit of the Camino, away from crowds and near to yourself.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Porto airport and transfer to the hotel

Stop At: Porto, Porto, Porto District, Northern Portugal
After arriving at Porto airport or train station, you will be transferred to your hotel. Our guide will meet you at the hotel for a briefing and delivery of the tour package. If you have free time enjoy unveiling the secrets of Porto, discover the Ribeira neighborhood, a UNESCO world heritage area, or find yourself savoring the famous Port Wine. Porto is a unique and amazing city.
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 2: Hike from Porto to Matosinhos

Stop At: Matosinhos, Matosinhos, Porto District, Northern Portugal
The tour starts by Porto´s Cathedral, overlooking the Douro River and the Ribeira Quarter. Your first steps will take you into the old city center, across the medieval town and down towards the river. All this area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you walk along the Douro, towards the river mouth, you will witness the revitalization of the surrounding area while preserving its historical links to the river and the ocean. Along the oceanfront you will pass by old defense fortresses, first the Fortress S. João Baptista da Foz do Douro, and later, as you reach the city of Matosinhos, the Fort São Francisco Xavier\ Castelo do Queijo. Matosinhos is known for its fishing port, and a legend ties it to the scallop shells that represent the Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
Hike 11,6km | 4H»5H | + 110m | - 160m
Duration: 5 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 3: Hike from Matosinhos to Vila do Conde

Stop At: Vila do Conde, Vila do Conde, Porto District, Northern Portugal
Today´s hike feels like a gentle stroll. You will follow the coastline, take well-defined paths over the dunes, and pass by a few coastal villages. The path crosses the beach of Angeiras where small artisan fishing boats rest on the beach while not at sea. Not far north, the path crosses the Iron Age settlement of São Paio, where you can observe the ruins of the settlement, along with runes and whetstones by the beach. You can learn more about this site at the interpretation center. Just before arriving to Vila do Conde, a boardwalk takes you across the protected area of Vila do Conde and bird sanctuary of Mindelo.
Hike 22,7km | 6H»7H |+ 130m | - 130m
Duration: 7 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 4: Hike from Vila do Conde to Esposende

Stop At: Esposende, Esposende, Braga District, Northern Portugal
Vila do Conde, once a very important port in northern Portugal, has many points of interest to visit, from the sea museum, to a replica of a Caravel, and the Santa Clara convent at the top of the hill. Take your time as you continue north. Stop by Póvoa de Varzim, a fishing port where the vessels wait in the port for the fog to clear. The path continues along the coast with some parts more rugged and some more sandy. On the way you cross the Litoral Norte Natural reserve, a protected area that covers 16km and it’s home of 220 different species. There are also some rural areas with farmland where people grow different vegetables. The Cávado Estuary is the last part of the hike for this day. Esposende sits on its margins in a wonderful place between sea and river, perfect to take a rest.
Hike 22,7km | 6H»7H | + 100m | - 100m
Duration: 7 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 5: Hike from Esposende to Viana do Castelo

Stop At: Viana do Castelo, Viana do Castelo, Viana do Castelo District, Northern Portugal
The trail today will leave the coast, go a little more inland and back to the sea line at the end of the day. You will follow an ancient path and cross the Neiva river before reaching the Benedictine Monastery of São Romão do Neiva. As the day approaches the end, the Lima river estuary offers you wonderful sights of Viana do Castelo and the surroundings. On the top of the hill you can see the Zimbório of the Temple of Santa Luzia, the visit card of the city. You will enter the city from the same bridge the train passes over, one of the many Eiffel works in Portugal. You are now on your final destination, Viana. With one of the best preserved old town centers of the region of Minho, it’s also a place where mountain, river and sea come together. Perfect for a stroll by the end of the day.
Hike 24,6km | 7H»8H | + 360m | - 350m
Duration: 8 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 6: Hike from Viana do Castelo to Vila Praia de Âncora

Stop At: Vila Praia de Ancora, Vila Praia de Ancora, Viana do Castelo District, Northern Portugal
Enjoy the typical architecture of Portugal’s Minho Region as you cross the old town center to reach the sea front fortress of the XVII century. The granite stone, the narrow buildings and the big white windows are very characteristic. As you reach the coast line you will start following the path along the sea. Take some extra precaution if it's a stormy day. You will pass the Montedor lighthouse and its 28 meters tower, before reaching Vila Praia de Âncora, your final destination for today. This is a old fishing town full of traditions, with a beautiful sandy beach where you can go for a swim if you’re lucky enough to get a break from the north winds.
Hike 20,8km | 5H»6H | + 120m | - 130m
Duration: 6 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 7: Hike from Vila Praia de Âncora to A Guarda

Stop At: A Guarda, A Guarda, Province of Pontevedra, Galicia
After your last breakfast in Portugal, is time to reach Galicia, Spain. It’s in Caminha, a wonderful medieval town by the river Minho, that you catch the ferry to Spain. Take your time, as the hike today is shorter, and visit the city of A Guarda that offers a lot to visit. If you still have strength go to the hilltop and find yourself 2500 years back in time, in one of the best preserved iron settlement of the Iberia. Here you can also enjoy the stunning views over the surroundings, the perfect place for the sunset. A Guarda and his small fishing port is a reminder of the wonderful fish that one can have around, and make sure is fresh fish for the first dinner in Spain.
Hike 13,7km | 4H»5H | + 130m | - 100m
Duration: 5 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 8: Hike from A Guarda to Oia

Stop At: Oia, Oia, Province of Pontevedra, Galicia
Starting towards the fishing port, instead of crossing the town, your path today will follow the shores of Galicia, in a scenery of battling waves against the rocky land. A XIIc. monastery will catch your attention.Santa Maria de Oia Monastery is a unique sight and reminder of the path of Saint James and the first christian settlers driven by the Cistercians monks to these areas. Exiting the Monastery cove along little walled ways of farm land, you’ll reach your final destination of the day, and a well-deserved rest.
Hike 15km | 4H»5H | + 200m | -230m
Duration: 5 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 9: Hike from Oia to Baiona

Stop At: Baiona, Baiona, Province of Pontevedra, Galicia
Following the path between the hill and the waves, you almost reach cape Sillero, and his lighthouse. From this point you enter a little more inland to avoid the cape. As you descend to Baiona, the views are stunning, with an amazing scenario of sea, islands, and land. At the Rias end, toward the Ocean, the Cies Islands offer a fantastic picture, if the weather is clear. Not far is Baiona, another beautifully situated town with a small pleasant port, an amazing medieval old town center and a beautiful fortress. The perfect place to hang out and rest or find a nice restaurant or pub to enjoy the rest of your day.
Hike 15,6km | 4H»5H | + 190m | - 200m
Duration: 5 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 10: Hike from Baiona to Vigo

Stop At: Vigo, Vigo, Province of Pontevedra, Galicia
This day will be longer than the previous, and more uphill as you leave the beach and coast to a more inland hike. As you cross the bridge near Ramallosa, Baiona bay is left behind. The rural Galicia of scattered houses and small field off vineyards, vegetable and other crops are cultivated in these small parcels. Between these areas small patches of woods, Eucalyptus or pine trees are the most common. Vigo is the goal of the day, probably the second biggest city of Galicia after A Coruña. The commercial port is very busy and with a long history, as the place was occupied by Celts, Romans, Visigoths and even the Vikings, once or twice. Your hotel is not far from the old town center. Pay a visit to the castle, and narrow streets of the old town near the port.
Hike 25,2km | 7H»8H | + 410m | - 360m
Duration: 8 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 11: Hike from Vigo to Redondela/Soutoxusto

Stop At: Redondela, Redondela, Province of Pontevedra, Galicia
The Ria of Vigo will be the main scenery of the day. This long Spanish fjord, goes inland as far as Arcade Town, kilometers away from the Atlantic.
The first part of the hike is in Vigo itself, and as you exit this urban area you enter into a forested area and a dirt track.This part of your walk is very pleasant to make, as it’s between trees and away from the hot sun. After you will reach Redondela, another town in Galicia that for centuries were at the confluence of roads. It is here in this medieval town, near the Albergue, that both Portuguese paths merge to become just one. Coastal and Portuguese way are now one going north to the Obradoiro Square in Santiago de Compostela. Your accommodation is out of Redondela, by the Ria a few kilometers away and off the main Camino, in Soutoxusto.
Hike 20,7k | 5H»6H | + 440m | - 450m
Duration: 6 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 12: Hike from Redondela/Soutoxusto to Pontevedra

Stop At: Pontevedra, Pontevedra, Province of Pontevedra, Galicia
You're going back to a forest track on the way to Pontevedra, during one of the smallest activity days of your entire journey. Go up the hill to Arcade, along the forest. Arcade is at the end of the Ria where you will find a XVIc bridge, the Sampaio Bridge. Crossing the Verdugo River you will be in one of the oldest parts of this Saint James way: the roman way. This part of the way was the Vía XIX that came all the way from Braga, in Portugal, to Lugo and Astorga. Continue up through forest and rural countryside. A peaceful part of the Camino that end up in the 80000 inhabitants city of Pontevedra, a magnificent place to hang out by the end of this small day. An Amazing old center with a lot of history beautiful streets, churches and monasteries are to discover while wandering into town.
Hike 14,4km | 4H»5H | + 250m | - 240m
Duration: 5 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 13: Hike from Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis

Stop At: Caldas de Reis, Caldas de Reis, Province of Pontevedra, Galicia
After breakfast and feeling fully energized, you will start one of the longest hikes, through old railways, rural paths and wetlands. The Wetlands just out of Pontevedra, via the Roman Bridge, are a place of hundreds of species and biodiversity, where you will be surrounded by some of the most beautiful and natural landscapes still influenced by the tides, even at this distance from the sea. Perfect to explore with all of your senses. Step by step you get closer to Caldas dos Reis, the final destination of the day. A few kilometers before Caldas de Reis there is a waterfall and the watermill system of Barrosa river, take a look before check in your hotel.
Hike 22,6km | 6H»7H | + 250m | - 250m
Duration: 7 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 14: Hike from Caldas de Reis to Padrón

Stop At: Padron, Padron, Province of A Coruna, Galicia
At your 14th day, you begin with a nice walk along agriculture fields, away from the N550. Toward Valga the path goes into a very scenic landscape by the river, with a somehow dark forest and hilly part of the camino. Out of this forest, and along little roads, you reach Pontecesures a place full of religious architecture. Crossing the river you arrive in Padrón, your last stop before Santiago de Compostela. This town has beautiful gardens and monuments all around. Look for typical food and delight yourself with a great dinner. Make sure you stamp your pilgrim passport at Santiago´s Church.
Hike 20km | 6H»7H | + 250m | - 260m
Duration: 7 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 15: Hike from Padrón to Santiago de Compostela

Stop At: Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Province of A Coruna, Galicia
Today is your last day of hiking adventure! Santiago awaits you just 25km ahead so keep your mind strong. The path leaves the town of Padrón going up north to the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria la Mayor. This was the episcopal center before it was transfer to Santiago de Compostela during the 10th century. Soon you reach the outskirts of Santiago, finally! By evening feel free to explore Santiago and its old quarter, there is a lot to see, but remind that you have an entire day tomorrow to explore.
Hike 25,2km | 7H»8H | + 440m | - 260m
Duration: 7 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 16: Free day at Santiago de Compostela

Stop At: Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Province of A Coruna, Galicia
Welcome to Santiago de Compostela!
Today is dedicated to walk along the old town center. If you want to stamp your pilgrim passport is also the best time to do it and find the certificate. Santiago is well worth of a day, or even more. From the old part and the related religious buildings, to the newly museum of the Galician people, there is a lot to explore. Santiago has its own atmosphere, a mix of religious and mystical feeling can be felt everywhere...Are you able to feel it?
Duration: 6 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 17: Transfer to Porto and end of the trip

Stop At: Porto, Porto, Porto District, Northern Portugal
Time to say goodbye. The transfer to Porto will pick you up at Hotel according to your schedule time.If you want, we can organize your transfer during the afternoon.Like this you still have time to wander in Santiago before the departure to Porto. Your tour will end once at Porto and we hope you take wonderful memories with you.
Transfer From Santiago to Porto 2h30min
Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.