Camino Portugues from Lisbon

[noekd]

I did the Camino de Santiago last summer. This summer I'd like to do something a little different. I'm considering doing the Camino Portugues from Lisbon to Santiago. I am a woman traveling alone and felt very safe last year on the Camino frances because there were many people and it was almost impossible to get lost. I have some questions regarding the Camino Portugues:

1. Will there be a significant amount of other people doing it in June/July so I won't feel alone?

2. I'm on a very tight budget and will need pilgrim albergues along the way. Are there enough on the Camino Portugues or would I have to stay in hotels?

3. Is there a guide for this Camino. I know that Brierley has one, but it just covers a week. I'm looking to go to Santiago from Lisbon.

4. Is this Camino well marked?

Thanks so much for your help!

~Kelly

P.S. If you can think of another Camino that is more popular than the Camino Portugues (other than the Camino frances) where there will be people and albergues, please let me know. I would just like to try another one!

[Ralf]

Hi Kelly,

there will be already a lot of pilgrims during June/July timeframe on the Camino, so you will not feel alone on your way. Just avoid the month of August, cause Portugal & Spain are on summer holidays, the temperature is too high, and the way will be packed with people.

Concerning your tight budget. There are some refugios in Portugal, especially on the way from Porto up to Tui. As soon as you have entered Spain you will find even much more refugios. The way from Lisboa to Porto looks different. As far as I know, there are just a few refugios ? but may be that has changed in the meantime.

On your way you will also pass every couple of kilometers little villages, where you can eat & drink at very reasonable prices.

I have a guide in German language (I?m from Germany) and don?t know of any other guides ? sorry.

The Camino is marked very well and you will not get lost (you can also ask at any time for the right way ? people are very friendly).

Would say, that the Camino Portuguese is safe for ladies, cause there are plenty of pilgrims on their way, which you can join for a couple of kilometers or if you need any help/assistance.

I will also walk the Camino this year. Will arrive in Porto on 03JUN09 and hit the road on 04JUN09. Estimated for the complete way around 10 days +/- 1 day. In Santiago I will relax for a couple of days, enjoy the town, etc. before I catch a flight back home.

Maybe we meet each other on our way, you never know.

If you have any more questions, etc. ? just let me know.

Like to wish you all the best for your Camino & take care,

Ralf

[noekd]

Ralf,
Thanks so so much for taking the time to answer my question. I think that I'll probably just start in Porto if I decide to do the Camino Portugues. I'm also considering doing the French route through Le Puy. If you have any advice on that I'd love to hear it. I'm from the U.S. so It would probably be better for me to fly into Paris and then a train to Le Puy (I think).
Buen Camino,
Kelly

[Ralf]

Good morning Kelly,

you are welcome.

Starting in Porto is probably the best based on the fact, that there are plenty of Refugios all the way up to Santiago.

Don?t know which Airline you will choose, but coming from the States its easy to switch planes either in France, the UK or Germany (Frankfurt) and fly in to Porto.

Concerning the route through Le Puy, I don?t have a clou. Sorry!

But here is a good link for you:

www.csj.org.uk

- Go to ?Routes to Santiago?
- Go to ?Individual Routes?
- Select from the list ?Camino Portugues?

On that page and on the sub-pages, you will find lots of information about the way (very detailed), refugios, etc., etc..

On the list of individual routes, you will also find the Le Puy way.

If you print out the pages with the exact route(s), you will have a good guide for whatever Camino you finally decide to walk.

Does this help a little bit?

Like to wish you a nice weekend & until the next time.

Buen Camino,

Ralf

PS. Excuse my English, but its not my mother language J

[noekd]

Ralf,
Your English is excellent. It is probably better than mine! Thank you for all of the information.
Buen Camino,
Kelly

[pehm2k]

Hello , we are two girls going to Camino Portugues in september. We have approximately 3 weeks for make this way and we thinking to start from Lisbon....because if we start from Porto we can reach Santiago after 10 days. We don`t want go to home early. I know that No many people start from Lisbon, usualy they are start from porto. I am very interesting and I need your advise about way from Lisbon.

[JanineSimone]

Hello, I am also in a similar position. I feel very drawn to the portuguese route but am also worried about accomodation, money etc as at the moment my workis quite bad so i hope to travel May June time but im worried with it being the Holy Year will it be to busy will there be enough places to stay, how much would the accomodation be as i planned to do it with as little as possible. how long does it take on this route do we start from lisbon? i would also like to continue onto fisterra as that seems to be more important for me...Brierlys books i thought would cover the portuguese route quite well but someone says one week??maybe i mis read. any help would also be appreciated...*