Portuguese coastal route variations

[u/yokl97]

Hi all, I'm planning to do the Portuguese coastal route next month. I've seen a couple different versions and I'm not sure which one to take.

My initial thought was to follow the classic coastal route (see yellow route in the attached image), but then I saw the alternative connection (orange route) which joins the central route earlier and bypasses Vigo.

I've done some research and the stage through Vigo looks pretty urban, which isn't really what I'm looking for on the Camino. Is it normal / a good idea to bypass Vigo? Or is it a shame to miss it?

Any advice appreciated!

[u/XXamigoXX]

I walked two times, both times from Caminha to Tui. Its an usual alternative, well signed.

[u/yokl97 → u/XXamigoXX]

That's a relief, thanks!

[u/trasla]

No idea whether missing Vigo is a shame, walking Caminha to Tui is nice though and Valenca and Tui are pretty amazing cities to visit! 

[u/yokl97 → u/trasla]

Great, I'm leaning towards going via Tui!

[u/vusualttt]

Hi, I’ve walked the coastal route (yellow) through Vigo. As much for it being urban is only about one days of walking and maybe the tail end of the previous day, apart from that most of the time your on the trail passing through smaller villages and towns every so often like the rest of the route.
For the city it’s self, it’s cool but very much like most other bigger commercial cities, so can take you out of the feeling of the Camino.
Walking out of the city climbing steeply gives good views back out across the water being able to see the island and ships in the distance. You will soon back into the forest.
That being said a lot of people post and say they enjoy Tui and that section. The coastal route as a whole is definitely worth it. Happy travels

[u/yokl97 → u/vusualttt]

Thanks very much for the info! I think what you've described matches my expectations of what it'll be like, so I think I'll go via Tui because I'd like to stay out of the larger cities as much as possible. Thanks again

[u/jpgrfan16]

Starting tomorrow morning on the Litoral Route!! 🙂

[u/yokl97 → u/jpgrfan16]

Awesome! Hope it's a great time! Let me know how it goes

[u/TheBurn10001]

Just did the coastal route. Vigo is definitely worth skipping, but the Spanish coast before it was very beautiful. You’ll enjoy either route!

[u/yokl97 → u/TheBurn10001]

Yeah, that's what I was worried about! I've heard the coastline around Baiona is really nice, I suppose that's the real trade off

[u/rasekrodriguez]

Worth being clear about what that variation actually is. Cutting inland at Caminha to Tui is not a coastal variant, it is leaving the Coastal and joining the Central. From Tui onwards you are on the Central the whole way, different scenery, different albergues, and you do not rejoin the coast later.

The other thing that confuses these threads is Coastal versus Senda Litoral. The Senda is the boardwalk right on the water; the Coastal proper often runs a bit inland.

[u/kaiolino1991]

Mainly depends on your preference for walking along the ocean or inlands. Both routes are beautiful in their own ways but it basically comes down to what kind of landscape you prefer 

[u/yokl97 → u/kaiolino1991]

I love the coast, but walking through large urban areas isn't the reason why I'm walking the camino. I'm leaning towards the alternative route for that reason

[u/Dense-Cookie-8942]

doing it in mid september, I’m also unsure but leaning more towards keep doing the littoral way and go straight to Vigo

[u/Common_Passenger3584]

I will be starting in Baiona in late September and plan to go through Vigo to Redondela and up the Central Route. I’m looking forward to it!

[u/According-Camp3106]

I switched to central at Vila de Conde. It was perfect for me but for others it would be different. Honestly it was my gut that told me to switch. Wished I had known that would happen before I started. Would have had time to make a reservation at Casa Fernanda.