The strolling route from Caminha to Valença gives an ideal alternative to mix the Coastal and the Central Routes of the Camino de Santiago from Porto. You get to stroll alongside the coast within the first half of the Portuguese Camino between Porto and Caminha and get to go to historic cities within the second half of the stroll from Valença to Santiago de Compostela.
The Caminha to Valença of the Portuguese Camino is a gorgeous route. Strolling it I actually loved the surroundings. I by no means felt that it was only a connecting path that I needed to stroll to get from the Coastal to the Central Route.
Caminha to Valença route overview
- Distance – 29 km/18 mi
- Time – 6-7 hours
- Ascent – 474 m
- Descent – 405 m
- Strolling floor – Four km/2,Four mi footpath/gravel street, 1,5 km/1 mi street, 23,5 km/14,6 mi asphalt/cobblestones
- Route marking – yellow arrow and Camino indicators
Caminha to Valença stage GPX file
You possibly can obtain a GPX file for the stage and apply it to your machine to make your stroll simpler.
Switching from the Coastal to the Central Portuguese Camino in Caminha
There are two locations on the Coastal Route from Porto the place pilgrims can swap to the Central Route; Vila do Conde and Caminha. Technically you possibly can swap just about anyplace however these two locations have marked trails that join the Coastal and the Central Route of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago.
In my view, for those who swap from the Coastal Route in Caminha and stroll to Valença/Tui you get one of the best of each; the gorgeous seaside surroundings of the Coastal Route and the historic cities of the Central Route. From Caminha the Coastal Route doesn’t go alongside the coast as a lot because it does within the first half from Porto.
If a few days after switching to the Central Route you are feeling like getting again to the coast you possibly can all the time stroll the Non secular Variant of the Portuguese Camino.
The place is Caminha?
Caminha is a small coastal city within the excessive north of Portugal on the south financial institution of the Minho River on the border with Spain. The city is positioned on the Coastal Route of the Portuguese Camino.
How lengthy is the stroll from Caminha to Valença
The route from Caminha to Valença is 29 km/18 mi. This distance is from the bridge in Caminha to the general public albergues in Valença. It’s fairly an extended stroll that may be cut up into two levels: Caminha to Vila Nova de Cerveira, 15 km/9,three mi, and Vila Nova de Cerveira to Valença, 14 km/8,6 mi. As an possibility on the second day as an alternative of stopping in Valença, you possibly can proceed to Tui, one other 2 km, and even additional on.
How tough is the stroll?
It’s a difficult route because of the lengthy distance of just about 30 km/18 mi and several other ascents and descents. If in case you have time it is likely to be a good suggestion to separate the day into two shorter levels.
The place does the Caminha to Valença route begin?
The connecting path to Valença begins on the exit of Caminha previous the roundabout. It goes straight over the bridge (Ponte Rodaviária de Caminha). You’ll see a yellow arrow on the left facet of the bridge from there on there will probably be arrows and indicators marking the Camino route. The route considerably follows the river course but it surely doesn’t go close to the river.
The Coastal Route goes left from the roundabout to the pier from the place pilgrims take a ship to A Guarda, a small Spanish city on the opposite facet of the Minho River.
Is the Caminha to Valença route marked?
Sure, the connecting Camino route is marked with yellow arrows all the way in which. There are occasional wood poles with a shell and arrow alongside the route. In Vila Nova de Cerveira there are metallic indicators on the bottom that mark the route. I can’t recall as soon as that I struggled to seek out the route. I haven’t used any apps, guidebooks, or GPS navigation. It was fairly simple to seek out the way in which. You do have to concentrate to the indicators particularly a few occasions while you stroll on the street as they’re generally on the other facet.
The highlights of the stroll
- The historic heart of Caminha
- Many lovely conventional Portuguese church buildings and chapels. I feel I noticed greater than 10 of them on the way in which from Caminha to Valença mainly each city or village alongside the route has one.
- The gorgeous forest stroll between 7 km -and 9 km.
- The historic heart of Vila Nova de Cerveiro
- Valença Fortress and Previous City
Which route from Caminha to Valença to comply with?
I’ve walked the official route from Caminha which is marked with yellow shells and arrows. It’s a really good path that goes by the forest, and previous small cities and villages from Camhina to Vila Nova de Cerveira.
I’ve learn that there’s one other route between Caminha and Vila Nova de Cerveira that’s not well-marked and is usually utilized by cyclists. I’ve seen that Brirley’s guidebook means that route as the usual one for strolling. There have been some pilgrims strolling alongside the railway I suppose these individuals adopted the guidebook. I haven’t walked that route however from what I’ve seen it goes in some way between the railway and the street all the way in which from Caminha to Vila Nova de Cerveira. From what I’ve seen and browse I don’t suppose it’s a greater various to the official Camino route.
After Vila Nova de Cerveira I imagine there is just one path to Valença.
Caminha to Valença route map
The route description of the Caminha to Valença stage of the Portuguese Camino
The connecting path to Valença goes out of Caminha following the Minho Rive previous the pier and throughout the bridge. After crossing the bridge you stroll on a sidewalk for about 100 m then into the forest, throughout the railways, and thru the city again to the street.
2 km – 2,5 km – strolling on the street. There are huge shoulders on either side of the street that are utilized by locals.
2,5 km – you attain a neighborhood with a bar.
three km – a personal albergue São Bento close to a small chapel, additional on there are a pharmacy and a small store. After you cross a bridge and proceed strolling on the left facet of the railway for a short time.
4,Eight km – 5 km – strolling on the street. Don’t miss the signal on the appropriate facet of the street indicating the turn-off from the street.
5,2 km – 5,5 km – strolling on a footpath by the forest
6,5 km – a grocery retailer
7,5 km – 9 km – strolling on a footpath by the forest.
9,three km – when you’re out of the forest you get to a small village with an albergue. There’s a signal pointing in direction of the albergue.
Between 9 km and 15 km, you stroll by small quiet cities, villages, and neighborhoods until you attain Vila Nova da Cerveira.
11 km – lodge Boega
Between 13,5 km and 14 km, there are three or Four small inns/guesthouses catering for pilgrims
14 km – a small cafe
14,5 km – 15,7 km – the Camino goes by Vila Nova de Cerveira. There are a lot of eating places, cafes, and inns within the city. A grocery store Minipreco is correct on the Camino route subsequent to Sandes and Baguetes bakery. The city is a superb place to remain for an evening if you wish to cut up the lengthy stage from Caminha to Valença.
The historic heart of Vila Nova de Cerveira is charming with many eating places and memento retailers. If you wish to cease for lunch or espresso I like to recommend one of many locations on the principle sq. (Praça da Liberdade).
Search for an ideal place to remain in Vila Nova de Cerveira
16 km – lodge Minho Belo
After leaving Vila Nova de Cerveira the Camino goes on a sidewalk alongside the street for some time then by the forest. The forest stroll is on an outdated cobbled street which was fairly powerful on my toes because it’s extra uneven than a traditional cobbled street.
After strolling out of the forest the route continues by quiet neighborhoods.
21,5 km – a guesthouse
22 km – 23 km – strolling on the street by a quiet industrial space
23,5 km – 24 km – a few eating places
25 km – São Pedro da Torre, a small city with a few bars, a store, and a lodge.
As soon as out of the city you stroll first alongside a biking/operating route on the appropriate facet of the railway then you definately cross by the tunnel to the left facet and proceed on a footpath for about 1 km.
The final kilometer is thru the neighborhoods all the way in which to Valença. The city is typically referred to as Valença do Minho. As soon as within the city, you stroll on the sidewalk previous Continente. The general public albergue of Valença is throughout the street from Continente. After reaching Valença you’re on the Central Route of the Portuguese Camino.
As soon as in Valença or Tui, you may discover that there are much more pilgrims on the Central route in comparison with the Coastal. The Central Route is total extra fashionable plus, many individuals begin strolling the Camino from Valença or Tui and stroll the final 100 km to Santiago which is the required minimal for getting the Compostela Certificates.
Locations to remain in Valença
There are a lot of locations to remain in Valença on totally different budgets together with a public albergue.
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The beautiful half of Stingy Nomads, chargeable for all our land adventures (mountain climbing, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a toddler, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack somewhat than to do a 10 000 km street journey (truly any street journey). Alya is an enormous fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.
