If something catches your eye, you are free to explore deeper. One has the whole day to get to your next destination, so stopping for cold Cerveja (beer) and a quick dip in the ocean en route is mandatory. They definitely take the Camino path pretty seriously there! And if that fails, then you can simply walk with the ocean as your guide!īeing a self-guided walking tour, one can take as many breaks and ‘photo stops’ as needed to rest the weary joints and refuel. On more than one occasion, we had a local gesticulating at us to follow the path in said direction if we happened to veer off course - which we did one or two times to take photos. Failing that, then you can ask a friendly local for directions. You're equipped with a GPS unit with preloaded GPS tracks (using the Ride with GPS app which was super accurate), printed maps (only if you want, but best to save a tree and go digital) and if that fails, along the route there are signs and of course other hikers walking the path. I can attest that after a day of walking, the beer sure tastes sweeter! Coastal Way Camino RouteĮven though this tour is self-guided, there’s really no way that one can get lost. Even on the harder days, where heat and elevation played a role, I found myself digging a little deeper mentally and physically. At the end of each day, it feels good to know you’ve challenged yourself and succeeded. Further distances mean a lot more time to reflect and soak up the beauty around you. Overall, I was surprised by the distances I managed to complete each day, the longest being 20 kilometers. I knew I was comfortable walking 10-14 kilometers (6-9 mi.) a day prior to starting, so beyond this was going to test my endurance. Although the majority of this walk is on flat terrain, this tour is graded as moderate to difficult, purely due to the long distances that one has to tackle each day. I was fortunate to walk the Coastal Route Camino De Santiago with my sister in tow. There’s also the Central Way and Spanish Way that takes one further inland both equally rewarding options. There’s an E-bike tour as well as a hiking tour that takes you through beautiful and scenic places: along dreamy coastlines, through forests, over sand dunes and bird sites, and through quaint towns. One of the most popular routes is the Portuguese Coastal Way, primarily chosen for its stunning coastal scenery. Also known as the Way of Saint James, the Camino is a network of routes that can be cycled or walked based on one's preference. It may be that all roads lead to Rome, but in Spain and Portugal, the Camino leads to Santiago de Compostela: the historical site where Saint James is thought to have been buried. But, what I found on my first Camino walking tour, far superseded my modest idea of what the Camino promised. Being able to finish the route without having a mild stroke would be first prize, I mused! Losing some weight and getting fit would come in a close second. Never having been on a Camino before, let alone a multi-day walking tour, I wondered what makes a good Camino. Many people I know have done the Camino at least once and are heading for rounds two and three. Some have biked it some have walked it and some dream about it. I'd heard so much about the Camino over the years.
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