Portuguese Camino Highlights Walk

Hike a handpicked selection of the most beautiful walking trails from Porto to Santiago de Compostela

From Porto, the Portuguese Camino splits into three: the Central Route, the Coastal Route, and the Litoral Way (Senda Litoral). While many pilgrims simply follow one path on their way to Santiago de Compostela, Spain, we hike the very best sections of all three, while also taking an extra-special detour to navigate the lesser-trod Spiritual Variant, said to be the original route of Saint James. The result is an unforgettable week of walking through the most picturesque sections of northern Portugal and Spain, ending with a showstopping arrival in the holy town of Santiago de Compostela.

Did you know you can travel by train to this trip? Find out more here

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips that have a positive impact on the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Learn more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

• Local guides keep you well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
• This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels, restaurants, and other enterprises, and by championing locally produced food wherever possible.
• Read more about our other initiatives here.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

• By travelling in a small group, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
• We work with our partners on the ground to proactively reduce waste; this includes eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles by providing refills for reusable bottles.
• We rewild 1,075sqft (100sqm) per passenger to compensate for all trip and flight emissions.
• Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

• Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
• This trip travels through Galicia, the region generating the second-most renewable energy in Spain. It is also the region with the second-highest wind power production.
• Our local partner is a member of the Climate Action Leaders in Travel Community and have made the Climate Action Leaders in Travel Pledge
• Walking trips like this have very little detrimental impact on the environment and the locals, as it is a quiet, low-impact activity requiring comparatively few resources to support.
• Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

• Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
• Plastic waste reduction: Please bring a reusable water bottle on this trip, also consider avoiding single-use hotel toiletries, which generate a large amount of plastic waste.

Visa

Portugal

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Portugal. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/portugal
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/portugal
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/portugal/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Portugal.html

Spain

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Spain. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/spain
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/spain
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Spain.html

Vaccination

Portugal

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus and rabies. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Spain

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus and rabies. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts are included. A typical breakfast in Portugal and Spain might consist of coffee with milk, toast with ham, olive oil, tomatoes, cheese and butter and jam. Bakery items, fruit and juice are also popular. During this trip, expect different variations of breakfast at our chosen hotels, but they will all include at least some of the standard breakfast items popular in Portugal and Spain.

Northern Spain produces a wide range of delicious food, from fish and seafood to quality meat, vegetables and fruit. Your leader will recommend good places to eat. Sometimes it will be tapas, sharing raciones (literally portions) as a group, and sometimes you can choose from the menu.

On the Portuguese Camino, restaurants and bars offer set menus, which usually include a choice of five starters, five mains and dessert, coffee and drink for about €12-€15. You can also try pulpo a la feira, a delicacy in Galicia, which is sliced octopus with paprika, olive oil and sea salt. Sometimes it is also served with grelos (sliced boiled potatoes).

Mealtimes in Portugal and Spain are later than in many other countries; dinner is usually taken between 8pm and 9.30pm.

Please note, meat and fish are staples in Portugal and Spain. Vegetarians can be catered for, as can other dietary requirements, although there may not be the same choice or variety as you have at home. Please advise us upon booking.

Weather

In April and October, expect temperatures around 5C-15C (40F-60F) with a high chance of rain showers. It could also be partly cloudy and more temperate. Temperatures in May and September tend to be warmer. Expect a combination of sun, showers and clouds.

Is this trip for you?

This trip is rated Activity Level 3 (Moderate).

It consists of six full walking days and one partial walking day with a 2 hour boat trip on Day 7. Your luggage is transferred between hotels, so you need only take a backpack on the walks. The terrain and path type varies and includes good quality coastal paths, gravel tracks and forest trails. The walks are not technically difficult . The walks are not technically difficult however you will need to cover distances of up to 23km and on most days there are some steep ascents and descents, so a reasonable fitness level is required. Low altitude throughout.

The distances walked on some days are long and you are expected to walk five full days in a row so there is a high chance of blisters. We recommend comfortable shoes and bringing several types (boots, running shoes, strap sandals), allowing you to alternate.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.