Portuguese Coastal Way – Camino de Santiago

A 170-mile (272-kilometre) long-distance path traveling northwards from Porto in Portugal to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.

Statistics and Files

Start: Porto
Latitude: 41.141649
Longitude: -8.610757
Distance: 170 miles (272 km)

Climbing: 5,420 metres
Walk Time: 12–15 Days

GPX Route File Google Earth File About the Portuguese Way (Wikipedia)

Suggested Map:
Camino Portugués Maps
Cicerone Guide With Maps

Summary

The Portuguese Coastal Way, opened officially in 2022, is a scenic 170-mile pilgrimage route from Porto in Portugal to Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain. Following the Atlantic coast, it features beaches, fishing villages, and boardwalks, merging with the Central Route at Redondela. It offers a quieter alternative to the busier and increasingly built-up Central Route, and it is blessed with good infrastructure for the hiker.

Key Details and Highlights:

Route: Starts in Porto, follows the coastline north through towns like Póvoa de Varzim, Esposende, and Viana do Castelo, crosses into Spain (Baiona / Vigo), and merges with the main route at Redondela.
Terrain: Mostly flat coastal paths, sandy beaches, boardwalks, and some—though fewer—inland forest tracks compared to the Central Route.
Best Time to Walk: April to October, with July and August being the hottest and busiest.
Highlights: Stunning ocean views, fresh seafood, the Eiffel Bridge in Viana do Castelo, and the scenic Vigo estuary.
Logistics: Well-marked with yellow arrows; excellent, readily available accommodation (hostels, hotels, albergues).