Portuguese Camino – Last 100km
8 days | from 625€
Begin your Portuguese Way at the fortress town of Valença in Northern Portugal. From here, you’ll cross the border formed by the River Minho and head north through Galicia.
Follow ancient pilgrim trails for a uniquely memorable experience you’ll treasure forever.
The Portuguese Camino de Santiago has been one of the main pilgrim routes to Santiago for centuries. Follow in the footsteps of countless pilgrims and walkers as you set out on a journey of discovery, not only of the country but also of yourself.
The long days of walking are physically and mentally challenging and rewarding, but there’s no need to punish yourself by carrying all your gear or sleeping in overcrowded, smelly dormitories.
Our way of doing the Portuguese Way of St. James on foot involves luggage transfers and comfortable beds in the best establishments along this historic route. These carefully chosen fine hotels, charming country houses, and historic buildings bring you closer to the history, culture and gastronomy of this region of Northern Portugal and Galicia.
Our Roadbook contains all the tips and information you need to follow the Camino Portugués easily and understand and appreciate what you see en route. We’ll make suggestions for when and where you could stop for lunch and things that might be worth a slight detour.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival in Porto
When you check into your Porto hotel, you will receive your Welcome Kit, which contains all the information you need to enjoy this self-guided walking holiday fully.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Day 2: Walk from Mosteiró to Arcos
Distance: 17 km (10.5 miles)
Elevation (gain/loss):
After breakfast, you will meet a member of our team who will drive you to Mosteiró to start your Portuguese Camino de Santiago. With this, you avoid the busy roads and the first stage is reduced to 17 km instead of almost 35 km.
Notice the progressive transition from urban to rural areas as you walk through this first stage. You will go through Vilarinho and cross the medieval bridge over the Ave before reaching the village of Arcos, where the first stage ends.
Accommodation: 3-star country hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Walk from Arcos to Barcelos
Distance: 20 km (12.5 miles)
Elevation (gain/loss):
Start walking from Arcos towards the ancient village of Rates and its imposing Romanesque church. Pass the villages of Courel and Pedra Furada, then follow rural roads until you reach the attractive town of Barcelos, the end of this stage.
There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in Barcelos.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Walk from Barcelos to Balugães
Distance: 15 km (9.3 miles)
Elevation (gain/loss):
Set off from Barcelos along minor roads, which will take you to a more rural area. Here, you’ll see small-scale agricultural practices and perhaps meet some villagers. Walk through the small villages of Tamel and Aboim towards the River Neiva and a medieval bridge just before the village of Balugães.
Accommodation: 3-star country hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Walk from Balugães to Ponte de Lima
Distance: 18 km (11.2 miles)
Elevation (gain/loss):
This is a day of rural roads and magnificent countryside until your spectacular entrance into the picturesque town of Ponte de Lima. Time your walk so that you have ample opportunity to enjoy the historical centre and gardens or just sit by the river for a while.
Enjoy your comfy bed tonight at 3-star hotel with breakfast included. Choose from a range of restaurants in Ponte de Lima where you can try traditional dishes like polvo à lagareiro (baked octopus) or bacalhau assado com broa (baked cod with corn bread) and a fine Loureiro white wine.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Walk from Ponte de Lima to Cossourado
Distance: 22 km (13.6 miles)
Elevation (gain/loss):
Leave the medieval town of Ponte de Lima and return to the rural world. In the middle of this stage, you will encounter Labruja mountain. The 2 km uphill are the most demanding of the whole Portuguese Way of St James but the views are worth the effort. Once you’re over the hill, it’s an easy walk to complete this stage.
Accommodation: 3-star country hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Walk from Cossourado to Valença do Minho
Distance: 13 km (8 miles)
Elevation (gain/loss):
This day starts by leaving the valley of the River Coura and climbing gently to São Bento da Porta Aberta. Continue to Fontoura through fields and brushwood until you reach the fortress town of Valença do Minho.
Dine in one of Valença’s many restaurants.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Walk from Valença do Minho to Porriño
Distance: 20 km (12.4 miles)
Elevation (gain/loss):
Cross the Minho River and enter Spain. Walk through the streets of the medieval town of Tui. Before you leave Tui, spend some time visiting its famous Gothic cathedral. From Tui, you’ll follow the Louro Valley, walk along a forest track and across a stone slab bridge into a wetland area where you should spot plenty of bird life. Go through the city of O Porriño with its magnificent Gothic town hall building.
Accommodation: 2-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Walk from Porriño to Arcade
Distance: 22 km (13.6 miles)
Elevation (gain/loss):
Leave Porriño and make your way through the forest of Chan das Pipas. You will pass in Redondela, where the central and coastal routes merge.
Finish this stage in Arcade, a small town renowned for its oysters.
Accommodation: 2-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Walk from Arcade to Pontevedra
Distance: 13 km (8 miles)
Elevation (gain/loss):
Start this stage by walking from the small city of Arcade. It is one of the shortest and most beautiful parts of the Way.
When you arrive at Pontevedra don’t miss the historical city centre with a lot of tapas bars
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11: Walk from Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis
Distance: 22 km (13.6 miles)
Elevation (gain/loss):
Leave Pontevedra through the pleasant countryside. This stage to Caldas de Reis is fairly long but no difficult. Rest your tired feet in a Caldas de Reis’ thermal springs.
Accommodation: 2-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12 : Walk from Caldas de Reis to Padron
Distance: 19 km (11.8 miles)
Elevation (gain/loss):
You’re nearly there! The last stage leaves Caldas de Reis and takes you through a soft climb to the charming woodlands of Valga. You’ll see many churches and stone crosses on the way to Padrón.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13: Walk from Padron to Santiago de Compostela
Distance: 25 km (15.5 miles)
Elevation (gain/loss):
This is your final stage. You will walk mostly through rural settings. The last part of this stage is the toughest, but think that you are almost finishing your goal. Enter the ancient city of Santiago de Compostela and enjoy the end of your journey at the cathedral.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14: Departure
After breakfast, prepare for your onward journey. If you have time, explore the old city of Santiago de Compostela before you leave.
Meals: Breakfast
Like what you see but it’s not quite a perfect fit?
You can choose to start in Valença do Minho in case you want to do the shorter version of the Portuguese Camino: The last 100 km)
Or, simply get in touch to tell us what you’re looking for. We’re happy to make changes to create your ideal holiday.
For more itinerary suggestions, please consult our specialist Portuguese Camino de Santiago website: www.portugueseway.com
Map
Portuguese Camino de Santiago
GENERAL CONDITIONS
Duration: 13 nights | 12 walking days
Tour type: Self-guided
Nº of people: From 1
Walking grade: Moderate
Total walking distance: 226 km | 140 miles
Region: Minho and Galicia
Highlights: Historical cities, ancient pilgrim trails, Roman roads, rivers, valleys, iconic bridges, beautiful churches, chapels and roadside shrines, forests, farmland, authentic villages, rural lifestyles, regional dishes, spa town, comfortable accommodations close to Camino trail.
Available: From 1st March to 31st October
Price per person
Low season: 01st March to 30th June | 16th September to 31st October
> In double room occupancy: 1.090euros
> Single room supplement: 550 euros
High season: 1st July to 15th September
> In double room occupancy: 1.190 euros
> Single room supplement: 600 euros
What’s included?
- 13 Nights of accommodation with breakfast included;
- Luggage transfer between accommodations (1 bag per person – maximum 15 kg/bag);
- Private transfer from Porto to Mosteiró on day 2;
- Roadbook with tips, maps and detailed information of the way (in English);
- Pilgrim Kit: Credencial (passport) and Vieira (shell);
- Welcome Kit and pre-departure information;
- Pre-tour briefing;
- Journey documentation;
- 24/7 Emergency support.
What’s not included?
- Transfers from and to Porto airport; Lunches and dinners; Insurance; Tourist taxes; Personal equipment; Other personal expenses; All items not mentioned in the “Included”.
Optional extra services:
- Extra nights in Porto (3-star hotel): On request.
- Extra nights in Santiago (3-star hotel): On request.
- Upgrade for 4-star and 5-star hotels and Paradores: On request.
- Transfer from hotel to airport in Santiago de Compostela: 55 euros for up to 3 people; 80 euros for 4 to 7 people.
- Transfer from Santiago de Compostela to Porto city/airport: 360 euros for up to 3 people; 420 euros for 4 to 7 people.
- Transfer from hotel to airport in Porto: 50 euros for up to 3 people; 80 euros for 4 to 7 people.
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?
At Portugal Green Walks, we firmly believe that travel should be a safe and rewarding experience for all concerned, including the destinations that you visit and the people you meet.
Please find out how we embrace sustainable and responsible travel.
Environment
The inland Portuguese Camino de Santiago route follows an ancient trail along quiet country lanes and dirt paths in stunning countryside, interspersed with historical towns and cities in Northern Portugal and Spain. Our clients can choose to walk or cycle; either way, their environmental impact is negligible.
To ensure that our self-guided clients are fully aware of their own responsibilities to protect the natural and cultural environment, they have a full in-person briefing with one of our locally-based Camino experts. We emphasise the importance of sticking to the trail and leaving no litter, including not building cairns from stones and how to avoid inadvertently starting a forest fire.
We also recommend that our clients bring refillable water bottles and use local tap water or approved water fountains along the Camino and encourage them not to buy disposable ones.
We typically have more than one client following this programme at any given time, so we arrange bulk luggage transfers with local drivers to reduce carbon emissions.
Our carefully selected accommodation partners use eco-friendly practices to save water, use solar power and promote recycling.
Community
The villages and small towns along the traditional Camino trail receive few other visitors apart from pilgrims, and the small local businesses depend upon the income they derive from clients like ours. For this reason, as well as the opportunity to interact with local people and absorb something of the local culture, we strongly recommend that our clients patronise small cafés, local family-run restaurants and independent stores. To make such encounters easier for all concerned, our info packs provide advice about respecting local cultures and interacting without inadvertently causing offence, as well as some helpful phrases in Portuguese and Spanish.
Local people are used to seeing pilgrims and often go out of their way to support them. Although we provide detailed route notes, if a client is ever in doubt about which way to go, a friendly local will point them in the right direction without asking.
Our main office is in Ponte de Lima in Northern Portugal, a small town along the Camino route. Our staff are mainly from this region and have deep ties with it, meaning that they can quickly mobilise local resources to help clients if needed.
We treat our staff and suppliers with respect and provide fair working conditions.
DIGITAL DETAILED ITINERARY
Click on the button below to download the itinerary with day-by-day details, highlights, prices and the respective general conditions.
