The strolling route from Caminha to Valença presents 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 – 4 km/2,4 mi footpath/gravel highway, 1,5 km/1 mi highway, 23,5 km/14,6 mi asphalt/cobblestones
Route marking – yellow arrow and Camino indicators
Caminha to Valença stage GPX file
You may obtain a GPX file for the stage and apply it to your gadget 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 may swap just about wherever however these two locations have marked trails that join the Coastal and the Central Route of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago.
In my view, in the event you swap from the Coastal Route in Caminha and stroll to Valença/Tui you get the perfect of each; the attractive 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’re feeling like getting again to the coast you may at all times stroll the Religious 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 a protracted stroll that may be break up into two phases: Caminha to Vila Nova de Cerveira, 15 km/9,3 mi, and Vila Nova de Cerveira to Valença, 14 km/8,6 mi. As an possibility on the second day as a substitute of stopping in Valença, you may proceed to Tui, one other 2 km, and even additional on.
How troublesome 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. In case you have time it could be a good suggestion to separate the day into two shorter phases.
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 shall be arrows and indicators marking the Camino route. The route considerably follows the river course nevertheless it 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 steel indicators on the bottom that mark the route. I can’t recall as soon as that I struggled to search out the route. I haven’t used any apps, guidebooks, or GPS navigation. It was fairly simple to search out the way in which. You do have to concentrate to the indicators particularly a few occasions whenever you stroll on the highway as they’re generally on the other facet.
The highlights of the stroll
The historic middle of Caminha
Many stunning conventional Portuguese church buildings and chapels. I believe 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 attractive forest stroll between 7 km -and 9 km.
The historic middle of Vila Nova de Cerveiro
Valença Fortress and Outdated City
Which route from Caminha to Valença to observe?
I’ve walked the official route from Caminha which is marked with yellow shells and arrows. It’s a really good path that goes via 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 isn’t 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 assume these individuals adopted the guidebook. I haven’t walked that route however from what I’ve seen it goes someway between the railway and the highway all the way in which from Caminha to Vila Nova de Cerveira. From what I’ve seen and browse I don’t assume it’s a greater different to the official Camino route.
After Vila Nova de Cerveira I consider 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 highway.
2 km – 2,5 km – strolling on the highway. There are huge shoulders on each side of the highway that are utilized by locals.
2,5 km – you attain a neighborhood with a bar.
3 km – a non-public 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.
4,8 km – 5 km – strolling on the highway. Don’t miss the signal on the appropriate facet of the highway indicating the turn-off from the highway.
5,2 km – 5,5 km – strolling on a footpath via the forest
6,5 km – a grocery retailer
7,5 km – 9 km – strolling on a footpath via the forest.
9,3 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 via small quiet cities, villages, and neighborhoods until you attain Vila Nova da Cerveira.
11 km – resort Boega
Between 13,5 km and 14 km, there are 3 or 4 small lodges/guesthouses catering for pilgrims
14 km – a small cafe
14,5 km – 15,7 km – the Camino goes via Vila Nova de Cerveira. There are numerous eating places, cafes, and lodges 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 break up the lengthy stage from Caminha to Valença.
The historic middle 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 primary sq. (Praça da Liberdade).
Search for an ideal place to remain in Vila Nova de Cerveira
16 km – resort Minho Belo
After leaving Vila Nova de Cerveira the Camino goes on a sidewalk alongside the highway for some time then via the forest. The forest stroll is on an previous cobbled highway which was fairly robust on my toes because it’s extra uneven than a standard cobbled highway.
After strolling out of the forest the route continues via quiet neighborhoods.
21,5 km – a guesthouse
22 km – 23 km – strolling on the highway via 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 resort.
As soon as out of the city you stroll first alongside a biking/operating route on the appropriate facet of the railway you then cross via 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 highway from Continente. After reaching Valença you’re on the Central Route of the Portuguese Camino.
As soon as in Valença or Tui, you would possibly discover that there are much more pilgrims on the Central route in comparison with the Coastal. The Central Route is total extra standard 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 numerous locations to remain in Valença on totally different budgets together with a public albergue.
Please observe and like us:
The gorgeous half of Stingy Nomads, accountable for all our land adventures (mountaineering, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a baby, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack relatively than to do a ten 000 km highway journey (really any highway journey). Alya is a giant fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.
