Walking the camino is an epic journey, that started in the 9th Century with the discovery, in Galiza, of the remains of St. James. In 1325, the Portuguese queen Isabel made a pilgrimage to Santiago following a route very similar to the one that today is marked with yellow arrows, crossing the then recently built Barcelos bridge. Now it’s your time to hike the Way of St James.
Start Walking the Portuguese Central Camino from Ponte de Lima, outside of Porto, and right into the trails of this epic journey. Walking the Way of St James, you'll feel like a citizen of the world, where several languages are spoken as one, passing through amazing medieval villages like Ponte de Lima, Barcelos and Valença, with typical traces from the northern Portuguese architecture and art.
Visit Ponte de Lima, Valença, Labruja in the Minho region, walking by the central path's trails and dirt tracks, ancient roman roads and municipal roads - It’s of an enormous diversity and there’s always a surprise on every bend. Immerse in the scenario of Minho and Galicia, enjoy the roads and trails of the woodland areas, small villages and “pueblos” that still seem to be in the Middle Ages. Enjoy this regions’ gastronomy, rich in variety and flavor, a true feast for your senses. Taste the Port and Green wines, so typical of the Minho region and stay in some of the best hotels in the Way of St James.
Arrive in Santiago de Compostela, designated UNESCO world heritage site and admire the shrine of Saint James at the end of your pilgrimage.
Outstanding from minute one! Our guide Daniel picked us up from our hotel and took us to Pinhão for a hiking ...
Pick-up from the airport (or your hotel in Porto) and transfer to Sé - Porto's Cathedral, where your journey begins and where you'll be briefed by your local guide. A one-hour transfer to Ponte de Lima, the oldest town of Portugal, founded in 1125, follows. After checking-in at your hotel, you have a free afternoon to visit this quaint town, which has recently submitted its candidacy to UNESCO world heritage site - owing to its rich cultural, environmental and historic traditions. For dinner, you'll have the opportunity to savour the rich gastronomy of the Minho region, in one of the finest restaurants of Ponte de Lima, enjoying its cuisine and traditional vinhos verdes.
Hotel for the day: Hotel Inlima or Carmo’s Boutique Hotel (included in “premium” option)
After breakfast at the hotel, start your day walking north, crossing the Lima river by the iconic bridge that gives the name to “Ponte de Lima”, and then keep walking by ancient roman pathways by the countryside, until you encounter the climb of the day, to the top of the Labruja sierra. Today, you’ll mostly climb by the forested areas of the sierra, walking by paved roads, roman pathways and gravel trails until you reach the Cross of the French, where tradition says you should leave a pebble to mark your passing.
The views over the sierra and the pure quietness of this place are unforgetful. Start descending until you reach Rubiães for a well-deserved rest at your hotel for the day.
Hotel for the day: Quinta da Leiras (upgrade to superior room in "premium" option)
After breakfast at your hotel, today's hike will have you leaving the valley of the River Coura, walking mostly downhill in the first half of today's walk. The rest of the route is practically flat, as you'll pass by some small villages and a section of pretty woodlands before arriving at Valença, the last Portuguese city in the Central Camino and home to a magnificent fortress overlooking Tui (Spain) and the river Minho. After a hike inside Valenca's fortress, you'll cross the river and enter Spain and the beautiful city of Tui, marked by great examples of Gothic architecture. You'll be staying here for the night - make sure to explore the excellent restaurants in Tui's historical city center.
Hotel for the day: Parador de Tui (upgrade to superior room included in “premium” option)
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll be transferred until just outside of Redondela - where the “central camino” and the “coastal camino” become one. Here you'll start today's walk with a climb of 127 mts (417 feet) over a 2,5 kms (1.6 miles) distance, through the woodlands of the Camino, having an occasional peek at Vigo's Ria. Then the route follows a long descent until you reach the Romanic bridge of “Ponte Sampaio”, over the Verdugo river. After crossing, you'll have the last big climb of the day, followed by a descent and mostly flat terrain until Pontevedra, with its beautiful Parador and historical center. Take your time to explore Pontevedra’s center on a walk at nighttime by the Galician plazas of Ourense and Ferraria, where you’ll find the city’s Basilica and Chapel.
Hotel for the day: Parador de Pontevedra (upgrade to superior room included in “premium” option)
Have breakfast at your hotel and then start walking north crossing "Ponte do Burgo", a stone bridge originally built on the XII century, over the Lérez river. On this day you'll be walking the second longest stage of this tour - with an accumulated total climb of only 231 mts (758 ft) over its 24 kms length, it is an easy and beautiful route. You'll continue hiking inland Galicia, with its lush green woods and forested areas, through Roman pathways and trails connecting quaint medieval villages that will end up leading you to an ancient thermal resort used by the Spanish noblemen, “Caldas dels Reis”. There, you may visit one of its thermal springs or explore the waterfall with its nearby roman bridge.
Hotel for the day - Hotel Roquiño or Torre do Rio (included in "premium" option)
With just another small stretch of forest, you will then be entering Pontecesures and the final part of today's stage. Cross the river and arrive in Padrón, a village known for being the cradle of Galicia and for its Green Peppers, the Padrón Peppers. Take some time to visit the village, climb to the Santiaguiño do Monte lookout point, visit the botanical gardens or Toxa waterfall and taste the food, If you’re adventurous and it’s in season, try the Lamprey.
Hotel for the day – Hotel Pazo de Lestrove or Os Lambráns (included in “premium” option)
After breakfast, you’ll begin the last stage of your Way of St. James. You’ll go through small villages and churches with clear signs that the end of the Way is near. When you arrive and enter the historical center of Santiago, you’ll reach the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, endpoint of your pilgrimage. Compostela is a millennial city with places and monuments that deserve a visit, such as its plazas in the central area of the old town, the narrow streets and traditional markets. Check-in at your hotel, Virxe da Cerca or the epic Parador de Santiago (included in the “premium” option), and then dedicate the rest of your afternoon to visit the pilgrims' office and discover this medieval city’s traditions, culture and heritage.
Hotel – Virxe da Cerca or Parador de Santiago de Compostela (included in the "premium" option)
Breakfast at your hotel, followed by check-out. Get your Compostela from the local pilgrim’s office and, at 12:00 you can participate in the daily Pilgrims' mass, where you may be able to witness the “Bota Fumeiro”. The Pilgrims mass is held daily at noon, and sometimes there will be additional sessions - check locally or ask your guide. At the scheduled time, transfer from Santiago de Compostela back to Porto airport or hotel.
EXTENDED STAY IN PORTO OR SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA: On Demand
Extend your stay in Porto or Santiago de Compostela for an extra day before or after this trip.
If you have a group and want to make this a private tour, or want to schedule a different date than the ones listed above, we are available to customize this and other experiences to better suit your needs and availability. Please contact us at [email protected] for more information.
All prices include VAT and may be subject to change. The information in this program is valid up to 31/12/2019, and may suffer from additional changes, due to the availability of the hotels and activities listed in the program. Does not dispense confirmation of this information by Live Love Hike.
If you have a group and want to make this a private tour, or want to schedule a different date than the ones listed above, we are available to customize this and other experiences to better suit your needs and availability. Please contact us at [email protected] for more information.
All prices include VAT and may be subject to change. The information in this program is valid up to 31/12/2019, and may suffer from additional changes, due to the availability of the hotels and activities listed in the program. Does not dispense confirmation of this information by Live Love Hike.
