The Caminha to Valença stage of the Portuguese Camino

The strolling route from Caminha to Valença affords 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 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 ravishing route. These are two of our favourite cities on the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. Strolling it I 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 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 system to make your stroll simpler.

Switching from the Coastal to the Central Portuguese Camino in Caminha

There are two locations on the Coastal Route the place pilgrims can change to the Central Route; from Vila do Conde to Charges and from Caminha to Valença. Technically you possibly can change just about anyplace however these two locations have marked trails that join the Coastal and the Central Route of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago.

For my part, should you change from the Coastal Route in Caminha and stroll to Valença/Tui you get the most effective 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.

You possibly can mix all routes of the Portuguese Camino in several methods. For instance, stroll out of Porto following the Litoral Method, then proceed alongside the coast on the Coastal Path to Caminha, and from there stroll to Valença to proceed on the Central Path to Santiago with an possibility of including the Religious Variant of the Portuguese Camino to your itinerary.

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 situated 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 levels: 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 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 a number of other ascents and descents. When you’ve got 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 aspect of the bridge from there on there shall 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 aspect of the Minho River. 

Is the Caminha to Valença route marked?

Sure, the connecting Camino route is marked with yellow arrows all the best way. There are occasional picket 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 seek out the route. I haven’t used any apps, guidebooks, or GPS navigation. It was fairly simple to seek out the best way. You do have to concentrate to the indicators particularly a few instances while you stroll on the street as they’re typically on the other aspect.

The highlights of the stroll

The historic heart of Caminha

Many lovely conventional Portuguese church buildings and chapels. I believe I noticed greater than 10 of them on the best way from Caminha to Valença 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 Cerveira

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 by way of the forest, and previous small cities and villages from Camhina to Vila Nova de Cerveira.  

I’ve learn that one other route between Caminha and Vila Nova de Cerveira 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. Some pilgrims have been 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 street from Caminha to Vila Nova de Cerveira. From what I’ve seen and skim 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 each side of the street that are utilized by locals. 

2,5 km – you attain a neighborhood with a bar.

3 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 aspect of the railway for a short time.

4,8 km – 5 km – strolling on the street. Don’t miss the signal on the correct aspect of the street indicating the turn-off from the street.

5,2 km – 5,5 km – strolling on a footpath by way of the forest

6,5 km – a grocery retailer

7,5 km – 9 km – strolling on a footpath by way of 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 the direction of the albergue.

Between 9 km and 15 km, you stroll by way of 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 3 or 4 small accommodations/guesthouses catering for pilgrims

14 km – a small cafe

14,5 km – 15,7 km – the Camino goes by way of Vila Nova de Cerveira. There are numerous eating places, cafes, and accommodations 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 heart of Vila Nova de Cerveira is charming with many eating places and memento outlets. If you wish to cease for lunch or espresso I like to recommend one of many locations on the primary sq. (Praça da Liberdade).

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 way of the forest. The forest stroll is on an outdated cobbled street which was fairly robust on my toes because it’s extra uneven than a standard cobbled street.

After strolling out of the forest the route continues by way of quiet neighborhoods.

21,5 km – a guesthouse

22 km – 23 km – strolling on the street by way of 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 correct aspect of the railway then you definately cross by way of the tunnel to the left aspect and proceed on a footpath for about 1 km.

The final kilometer is thru the neighborhoods to Valença. The city is usually known 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 general extra widespread plus, many individuals begin strolling the Portuguese Camino from 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.

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The gorgeous half of Stingy Nomads, liable for all our land adventures (climbing, 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 slightly than to do a ten 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.