For our spring break trip in 2025, we decided to take our kids to Portugal and walk from Valenca, Portugal, to Santiago de Compostela in the northwest corner of Spain. This is typically done as a six-day hike, which was our plan. Below are our experiences doing the Camino.
Day 2 of the Camino – O Porrino to Redondela
The section of the Portuguese Central route of the Camino de Santiago from O Porrino to Redondela winds through rural farms and small villages. One large hill in the center of the hike lead to sweeping views of Redondela and the Ria de Vigo Estuary.
Day 3 Redondela to Pontevedra
The stage of the Portuguese Route of the Camino de Santiago between Redondela and Pontevedra is beautiful. Leaving Redondela the Camino climbs into the hills overlooking the Ria de Vigo estuary before descending into the lovely town of Arcade. The remaining hike between Arcade and Pontevedra takes place mostly along a wooded path. This was…
Day 4 – Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis
The Camino from Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis is a beautiful hike that starts in Pontevedra, continues through the woods then finally arrives in Caldas de Reis after passing through vineyards. For us, it was a day where we struggled with increasing pain as the Camino began to take its toll on us.
Day 5 – Caldas de Reis to Padrón
The stage of the Portuguese Route of the Camino de Santiago is a mostly serene hike among woods and farms. The hike isn’t terribly challenging since it’s not very hilly or long. However, our bodies were starting to break down which made the hike more challenging than it should have been.
Day 6 – Quitting the Camino
This is the final post in a six-part series on our experiences doing the Portuguese Central Route of the Camino de Santiago starting in Valenca, Portugal, and ending in Santiago de Compostela. I didn’t get more than a couple of hours of sleep. The wind slamming the shutters on the windows was a constant reminder…
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