< Day # 5 – Coastal – Caminha to Valenca / Day # 3 – Coastal – Marinhas to Viana do Castelo >

Coastal route
Viana do Castelo to Caminha

Distance ~ 29 kms. Difficulty 6/10

Today we leave Viana do Castelo and arrive at Caminhas. The hike takes us back to the coast. There are several villages along the Camino which are Areosa, Carreco, Ancora, Moledo, and Caminha. The terrain is mostly flat. Caminha is an interesting medieval village. It is close to the the village of Guarda located in Spain. There is a boat connection to Spain that connects to a different hiking trail in Spain that is not covered here. Stay in Portugal. There are great albergues, hotels & restaurants in Portugal. Stay at Caminha and enjoy the day.

Option to hike the interior of Portugal – There is frequent bus service between Viana do Castelo & Barcelos. You can re start the interior Camino at Barcelos. When you complete the journey at Valenca there is train service between Valenca and Caminha. Spend an extra day at Valenca. Visit Caminha by train in the morning, then return by train to Valenca in the afternoon. You have covered most of the Porto Camino.

Interior route :
Ponte de Lima to Rubiaes

Distance – 20 kms Difficulty 7/10

Today we leave Ponte de Lima and arrive at Rubiaes. The terrain today is mostly flat through the hiking trails until Arcozelo, with a long steep climb of some 360 mts or about 1,200 feet that takes you into the forests of Labruja. The terrain at the forest is irregular until you arrive close to Rubiaes. There is a good municipal Albergue at Rubiaes and a local restaurant. Although the distance is a short 20 kms, the hike is very steep & challenging through the forest. Perhaps the most challenging hike of this Camino Portugal after the long hike into Ponte de Lima.

Coastal & Interior Maps

Elevation Chart – Coastal

Elevation Chart – Interior