Day Nine on the Camino Portugués 
~ Condeixa-a-Velha to Coimbra ~ 16.6 Km (10.32 Miles)

COVID ~ 19 and the Camino

Spain is now allowing foreign tourists, including those from the USA to enter with proof of vaccination and completion of a health control form. A proof of Health QR Code can be obtained by going to Spain Travel Health website prior to your departure. 

You may wish to bookmark this Travel Safe-Spain website to check back on these requirements frequently, and see each individual regions' requirements as well. Masks are still required both indoors and outdoors (when social distancing is not possible) in Spain, so please be respective!

Don't forget to note your country's re-entry requirements! In the USA, the requirement for entry from abroad is a negative COVID-19 test, no more than three days before departure. For more details, also check with the IATA, as this is a fluid situation! 

If you plan to walk during the pandemic, your expenditures will be higher that pre-pandemic, as many municipal albergues are still closed or at reduced capacity, often necessitating private accommodations. The same is true for any open, private albergues. 

It would be prudent to pre-book your accommodation as much as possible, to ensure a place, especially if you are walking the more popular routes. Also, call ahead if you are planning a more remote walk, as not all accommodations have re-opened.

Also, please note that despite the ongoing pandemic, we are constantly cruising many sources of information, diligently keeping our guides and web pages as current as we can, including Facebook pages and Camino forums with local connections and our own individual friends and sources that we are connected with in Spain and Portugal. 

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Good luck and Buen Camino!!

Our day nine on the Camino Portugués was the shortest yet, a lovely saunter into the historic university town of Coimbra. Arriving early meant we had an entire half a day to explore the wonders of this college town, home of the first university in Portugal. 

"Religion points to that area of human experience where in one way or another man comes upon mystery as a summons to pilgrimage."  ~ Frederick Buechner, Author and Theologian

To determine the reasons behind your call to pilgrimage is a mystery indeed. It is something that I continue to reflect upon. I think of myself more in spiritual terms, rather than religious terms, yet I still feel the call.

Our human experience, in and of itself is sufficient to question our purpose, the reason for life, and a pilgrimage gives us the opportunity to explore this at a deeper level. 

Map and Stats of Day Nine on the Camino Portugués

In my totally interactive Google map, that I uploaded from my own personal Camino steps, I placed albergues/hotels/cafés on the map for your convenience.

Below is the elevation profile starting at the Bar Triplo Jota, (see the map above), where we rejoined the Camino from Condeixa-a-Nova. Of course, the bar was closed at 7:30 in the morning. 

There are some upsy downsies on this day with a nice downhill jaunt into Coimbra at the end, to join the Mondego River.

Elevation Profile for Day Nine, Camino Portugués, Condeixa-a-Velha to CoimbraElevation Profile for Day Nine, Camino Portugués, Condeixa-a-Velha to Coimbra

Photo-Rich Travelogue of Day Nine on the Camino Portugués

We woke up on day nine to a dark and quiet Condeixa-a-Nova. Nothing was stirring, nothing was open. Despite it being a Monday after a holiday, the town was as quiet as death at 7:00 a.m. when we left the hotel. 

I looked at my left ankle and sure enough, once again the swelling had gone down entirely overnight. The amazing mystery of my pilgrimage! I was thrilled. It was going to be a good day. I could feel it in my bones. 

Our day nine's goal on the Camino Portugués was to reach Coimbra, less than 17 km away. I knew I could do it without a problem. I was eager to explore this historic town of which I had read so much!

Leaving our hotel, with nothing open so early, we were lucky enough to find vending machines at the main intersection in town, where we were able to get café con leite. There were snack machines as well, which we skipped, hoping to find a real open café along the way soon. 

But alas, the Bar Triplo Jota, as referenced earlier was closed. We hoped to get lucky later. 

My first photo is the intersection where our detour from Condeixa-a-Nova joins the actual Camino route. The albergue is steps from here. The red arrows, along with the yellow Camino arrows denotes yet another walk, that shares the Camino de Santiago called the "King's Road." 

Joining the Camino on the Rua da RossaJoining the Camino on the Rua da Rossa

Shortly after joining, we turn left at this inviting olive grove. 

Left on Travessa Quinta da AreiaLeft on Travessa Quinta da Areia

A right turn onto the Rua Principal, a kilometer or so through rural villages and we join the Rua Pregeira, below. These are quiet, paved roads, peaceful and perfect for a pilgrimage. 

Follow the Rua PregeiraFollow the Rua Pregeira

Even when crossing a busy highway, below, in another kilometer, there was little traffic to be found. 

Cross A13-1 on Rua PrincipalCross A13-1 on Rua Principal
Towards Orelhudo, PortugalTowards the Hamlet of Orelhudo

At about 3.25 kilometers, we reached the hamlet of Orelhudo. Not much here in this town, but quaint homes. 

Orelhudo, PortugalOrelhudo

In town, we turn right here onto the Rua Ribeira. The blue X is a unique phenomenon, as far as I know, to the Portuguese Way. It means don't enter here! If you go towards a blue X, you are going the wrong way!

Right Turn Onto Rua RibeiraRight Turn Onto Rua Ribeira

The delicious and unkempt orange trees continued to grace our walk with blessings from its branches! 

Luscious Oranges Along the Rua RibeiraLuscious Oranges Along the Rua Ribeira on Day Nine, Camino Portugués

Just outside of town, Orelhudo, the sign below announces that we were entering the region of Casconha. 

Towards Ribeira de Casconha, PortugalTowards Ribeira de Casconha
Straight On Rua Ribeira in Casconhas, PortugalStraight On Rua Ribeira in Casconhas

Straight on until this Casconha waymark informs us to turn left...

Left Turn Here in Casconha, PortugalLeft Turn Here in Casconha

and join the Rua Cruz...

On Rua Cruz Towards CernacheOn Rua Cruz Towards Cernache

to walk into Cernache, after about 2 kilometers additional, a total of 5.25 kilometers from the albergue in Conimbriga. 

Cernache, Portugal ~ Travessa do CuboCernache ~ Travessa do Cubo

Coming off the Easter holiday, Cernache had lamppost adornments overhead. Here is the Albergue de Peregrinos de Cernache, which you walk by right along the Camino. I believe it is a municipal albergue, and is about 8 Euros/night, if your Camino ends here for the day. 

Albergue in Cernache, PortugalAlbergue in Cernache

Having not had a substantial breakfast, we were very impatiently looking for an open café in Cernache, and had to walk through almost the entire town before spotting the café umbrellas below! It was about 5.5 kilometers into our walk and time to eat!

Telltale Café Umbrellas on the Rua Mesura in CernacheTelltale Café Umbrellas on the Rua Mesura in Cernache - Yay!

The pastry shop, below, was the typical Portuguese fabuloso, and we quickly ordered up a nice spread! We actually tried the meat/cheese-stuffed pastries and didn't even have our usual custard tarts (Pastel de Nata)!

Enjoying the Pastelaria Moleirinho in Cernache, PortugalEnjoying the Pastelaria Moleirinho

Right after our break, we slung on our packs, walked to a roundabout to turn right, then a quick left, here, onto the Rua Tirado.

Left Turn on the Rua Tirado, Cernache, PortugalLeft Turn on the Rua Tirado

A  short but steep walk on the pavement brings you to Pousada. 

Entering Pousada, PortugalEntering Pousada on Day Nine, Camino Portugués

In about a half kilometer, a left turn takes you to a gravel lane...

Leaving Pousada, PortugalLeaving Pousada

through a forest...

Forest Lane, Rua Canto on day nine of the Portuguese WayForest Lane, Rua Canto

up a hill...

Rua Alegria Country Lane, Day nine on the Portuguese CaminoRua Alegria Country Lane

to the top...

Towards PalheiraTowards Palheira

across the way...

Oteiro Negro WaymarkOteiro Negro Waymark

past a quaint camino waymark, a blue boot for the Camino to Fátima, the yellow boot for the Camino de Santiago...

Two Boots Two CaminosTwo Boots, Two Caminos

and down the hill into the next town of Palheira.

Entering Palheira

After passing the industrial building above, on the outskirts of town, the Camino turns left onto the Estrada Principal to walk through town. There is now significant climbing on this pavement through town. 

Left Turn on Estrada Principal, Palheira, PortugalLeft Turn on Estrada Principal

Over 10 kilometers down. Six or so left to go. My ankle was holding up great. It was a day that I must say, gave me reason to believe that I was indeed a pilgrim and my pilgrimage was special just as it was. I liked the shorter days, despite my husband's desire to go farther. I was with him, my best friend and confidant and I was asserting my needs. 

In the town of Palheira, we turned up a hill on a side street to climb to the town chapel, below.

Right Turn Up Hill in Palheira, Portuguese CaminoRight Turn Up Hill in Palheira

Once again the side road turns to a gravel lane, called the Rua Vale to walk onward on day nine of our Camino Portugués.

Down the Hill on the Rua Vale, Camino PortuguesOn the Rua Vale

The country lane turns right on yet another lovely, unpaved lane, below. We continued with the steady climb.

Right Turn on the Rua Progresso, Camino PortuguesRight Turn on the Rua Progresso

Here is a Fátima pilgrim, one of many that we saw, heading the opposite direction from us! This young Portuguese gentleman obliged Rich, to snap this photo. He was so amused by their traffic vests, and their going the opposite way! I think he just wanted to have more pilgrims to talk to!

Rich Meets a Fátima Pilgrim on day nine of the Portuguese Way.Rich Meets a Fátima Pilgrim

Because May of 2017 was the 100th anniversary of the event of the sightings of the Virgin Mary at Fátima, many pilgrims were on the road to there in April. 

After about 1.5 kilometers on the gravel lanes, we rejoined the pavement. We were nearing the alto for the day, or the highest elevation point.

Left Turn on the Rua Calvação, day nine Portuguese WayLeft Turn on the Rua Calvação
Down the Hill and Cross the IC2Down the Hill and Cross the IC2 on the Rua Limoeiro

Reaching the town of Cruz dos Morouços next, in about another 1.5 kilometer, we turned right here on the Rua Além. The town of Cruz dos Morouços is indeed the highest point of the day. It was all downhill from here!

Rua Além, Cruz dos Morouços, PortugalRua Além, Cruz dos Morouços

It is here in Cruz dos Morouços that we strolled by this café. This is the only café we saw until Coimbra.

Since we had less than five kilometers to Coimbra, and were still full from our breakfast, we saved ourselves for later and walked on by. 

Café Araújo, Cruz dos Morouços, PortugalCafé Araújo, Cruz dos Morouços, Day Nine, Camino Portugués

After the café, the Camino turns left onto the Calçada Cruz dos Morouços and begins a long downhill walk. Coimbra is visible ahead!

Long Downhill Towards Coimbra, PortugalLong Downhill Towards Coimbra

The road flattens and walks through more of the town...

Calçada Cruz dos MorouçosCalçada Cruz dos Morouços

then turns left on the Estrada Mina, to walk again downhill by the path of the highway, the IC2. We could smell the city nearing. 

Estrada Mina Parallels the IC2Estrada Mina Parallels the IC2
Crossing the IC2Crossing Above the IC2 on a Bridge

In the above photo, you can see how the IC2 cuts through this historic aqueduct, below. The Estrada Mina crosses the highway, and bends to follow it parallel, but now on the other side and towards the aqueduct. 

Elle by the Aqueduct on the Estrada Mina on the Portuguese WayElle by the Aqueduct on the Estrada Mina

Following the Estrada Mina down the hill and into town, it still feels quite rural, until the bottom of the hill. Then we turn left on the Rua 10 de Junho at a T intersection to begin the walk through the suburbs of Coimbra.

There are many places to eat, for many kilometers before the center of Coimbra, and they are too numerous to describe!

A traffic circle with a right turn on the Rua Central da Mesura and we began the long climb back up a hill on the other side! We are not yet in Coimbra. In the photo below, we are just about at the top. 

You can see a water tower-like building ahead on the promontory. That is essentially the top at about 15 kilometers into the day.

Uphill on the Rua Central da Mesura, Santa Clara, PortugalUphill on the Rua Central da Mesura

If you are doing this climb as a long day from Rabaçal, I imagine that this climb would hurt at the end of the day! Even for our short day the long hill climb on the cobblestone seemed to take forever!

Continue on the Rua Central da Mesura in Coimbra on Day Nine, Camino PortuguésContinue on the Rua Central da Mesura on Day Nine, Camino Portugués

Then suddenly, several hundred meters onward from the altitude top and after walking through a large traffic circle, this amazing first view of Coimbra comes into focus

First View of Coimbra Ahead on the Portuguese CaminoFirst View of Coimbra Ahead

The view opens up farther on and the pilgrimage traveler just MUST stop and take it all in for awhile. The view from this Observatório is fantastic!

Wow! Rich at the Observatorio Overlooking CoimbraWow! Rich at the Observatório Overlooking Coimbra

It is a moment of pure enjoyment, stopping at the Observatório! Here is the view, unimpeded. 

The Grand View of Coimbra from the ObservatórioThe Grand View of Coimbra from the Observatório

You have only a bit more than one kilometer from this observatory to the river crossing and into the center of Coimbra. It is an easy downhill walk from here. 

Heading farther down the hill, the Monastery of Santa Clara a Nova, is a huge complex overlooking the river.  and contains the Albergue de Peregrinos Rainha Santa Isabel. We wanted to stay in town, so we kept on going. Unfortunately, the albergue is almost a full kilometer from the center of town and all the sights. 

Mosteiro de Santa Clara a NovaMosteiro de Santa Clara a Nova

The narrow cobblestone street walks by the monastery and turns sharply to go very steeply down the hill on the Calçada de Santa Isabel, below. Rich is facing up the hill, but the way is downhill!

It would be a real chore to climb back up this steep hill after a nice evening in town, to get back to the albergue, at least for us! However, the monastery experience may be well be worth the effort for you. 

Downhill Steeply on Calçada de Santa IsabelDownhill Steeply on Calçada de Santa Isabel

At almost river level, the Convento São Francisco welcomes the pilgrim. Here is Rich walking on its upper level. 

Approaching the Convento São Francisco, Coimbra, PortugalApproaching the Convento São Francisco

Here is the convent as seen from the street level farther down the hill, below.

Convento São FranciscoConvento São Francisco

And then, the river and the bridge are the final obstacles before town. The University of Coimbra buildings loom above you as you walk across the bridge. 

Crossing the Mondego River Into CoimbraCrossing the Mondego River Into Coimbra
Ponte de Santa Clara Bridge in Coimbra, PortugalPonte de Santa Clara Bridge

Immediately after the bridge you come to the main square, the Largo da Portagem, with its famous statue of Joaquim António de Aguiar, the Portuguese prime minister in the 1800's. This is the place to be for outdoor restaurants and just people gazing. 

Entering Coimba at the Largo da Portagem SquareEntering Coimba at the Largo da Portagem Square

We went directly to our hostel that I had pre-booked, just mere steps from the Portagem square on the Rua da Couraça Estrela.

The Coimbra Portagem Hostal on the Rua Couraça da EstrelaThe Coimbra Portagem Hostal on the Rua Couraça da Estrela

The Coimbra Portagem Hostel is a fascinating place, a former governor's palace, right along the river. It is adorned with painted murals, like the one below, going up the stairs to the sleeping rooms. 

The hostel is very reasonably priced, has a choice of accommodation, from dormitory rooms to private rooms, all with large shared bathrooms and shower rooms, one for men and one for women. 

Murals at the Coimbra Portagem HostelMurals at the Coimbra Portagem Hostel

Our double room was very tastefully appointed as you can see below. We paid only 30 Euros for the night, as inexpensive as a private albergue for two. If you need towels, you will have to pay for them. The proprietor was also willing to store our packs, until check-in time, so we could explore the town that afternoon without them. 

Coimbra Portagem Hostel Double RoomCoimbra Portagem Hostel Double Room

The hostel has kitchen facilities and a living area downstairs as well. With its fantastic location, friendly staff, brand-new and clean facilities, patio views over the river and a reasonable price, I would highly recommend it! Just click here to see more photos of this gorgeous place. 

Of course, there are many, many more places to stay in Coimbra. Click here to see them, especially if you want a hotel room or suite. I put on the map above, places with "hostel" in the name, a good second to the albergue up the hill. Five more hostels most convenient to the center of town and the onward Camino are the Serenata Hostel, the BE Coimbra Hostel, the Olive Street House, the Hostel Sé Velha right by the old cathedral, and the WW Hostel & Suites near the university.

Reflections on Day Nine, Camino Portugués

My ankle was doing well, with only a slight swelling on day nine of our Camino Portugués. It hurt way less than on day eight. In fact, a mystery of mysteries, it never swelled up again after day nine! I didn't know this, when in Coimbra, I purchased a thin ankle compression brace. If it was sprained, I felt the added support would help and reduce the swelling as well. 

For many days after the swelling no longer occurred in my ankle, I continued to wear the brace, just in case! 

Did I create my injury because I was not fit enough initially, or because I wanted to walk less kilometers?? I'll never know. It just was. In fact, the rest of our Camino was filled with long 30+ kilometer days, without any trouble with my ankle whatsoever. It was and would be a mystery to me forever.

However, I knew my day here was not over, that we were to explore the old and hoary university town of Coimbra that afternoon. 

At noon we filled our bellies with nourishment at a lovely southside, riverside café, for our bodies, and our hearts and minds, before setting off to see the town of Coimbra in the afternoon. The university buildings on the hill were calling loudly to us, and the weather was near perfect on this glorious spring day nine on our Camino Portugués. 

The adventure portion of our pilgrimage was at its highest on this day, and we wanted to experience as much as we could! The food and the city revitalized us and we were eager to get started. 

The rest of our day was spent touring the glorious old town of Coimbra, then meeting up once again with our Aussie mates, who had arrived here the night before. They were taking a full rest day, and we had caught up to them, running into them at the Sé Velha on our city tour.

Later we joined our Aussie mates for a fantastic bottle of wine and dinner, outside in the Largo da Portagem square. We were fast forming a significant connection with these two pilgrims, the only consistent ones we met thus far on the Portuguese Way. We sat and reflected on what this whole pilgrimage thing meant to each of us! It was a fantastic conclusion to a fantastic pilgrimage day!

I am not sure what my lesson was to be learned for this day. Indeed, it did not matter. I was enjoying the fantastic day and felt lucky to be here at all! I enjoyed solidifying our relationship with the Australian couple we met again and again.

Salutation

May your own day nine on the Camino Portugués help you remember the joys of the pilgrimage and what called you to do it in the first place. May your summons, "religious" or not be the fullest experience possible! Ultreia!



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And the Journey Continues:

~ Lisbon to Porto

The Official Start of the Camino Portugués
Day One
~ Lisbon to Alverca do Ribatejo (Verdelha), 31.4 Km (19.51 Miles)
Day Two
~ Alverca do Ribatejo to Azambuja, 28.4 Km (17.64 Miles)
Day Three
~ Azambuja to Santarém, 33.3 Km (20.07 Miles)
The Fascinating Gothic Town of Santarém
Day Four
~ Santarém to Golegã, 33.9 Km (21.06 Miles)
Day Five
~ Golegã to Tomar, 30.0 Kilometers (18.64 Miles)
Tomar, the Knights Templar Castle and the Convento de Cristo
Day Six
~ Tomar to Alvaiãzere, 31.4 Km (19.51 Miles)
Day Seven
~ Alvaiãzere to Alvorge, 23.17 Km (14.4 Miles)
Day Eight ~ Alvorge to Condeixa-a-Velha 20.6 Km (12.8 Miles)
Day Nine ~ Condeixa-a-Velha to Coimbra ~ 16.6 Km (10.32 Miles)
Coimbra, Portugal
~ The Medieval City on the Hill
Day Ten
~ Coimbra to Mealhada, 24.4 Km (15.2 Miles)
Day Eleven
~ Mealhada to Águeda, 24.6 Km (15.3 Miles)
Day Twelve ~
Águeda to Albergaria-a-Nova, 20.7 Km (12.9 Miles)
Day Thirteen ~ Albergaria-a-Nova to São João de Madeira, 22.9 Km (14.22 Miles)
Day Fourteen ~ São João de Madeira to Porto, 33.6 Km (20.9 Miles)
Porto ~ The City with a Vibe

~ Porto to Santiago Via the Coastal Route and/or the Sendal Litoral

Day Fifteen ~ Porto to Vila do Conde, 32.67 Km (20.3 Miles) via the Senda Litoral
Day Sixteen ~ Vila do Conde to Esposende, 23.7 Km (14.73 Miles), via the Coastal Route
Day Seventeen ~ Esposende to Viana do Castelo, 25 Km (15.5 Miles) via the Coastal
Day Eighteen ~ Viana do Castelo to Caminha, 27.9 Km (17.33 Miles), via the Senda Litoral
Day Nineteen ~ Caminha to Viladesuso, 25.55 Kilometers (15.9 Miles), via the Coastal Route
Day Twenty ~ Viladesuso to San Miguel de Oia, 26.24 Km (16.35 Miles) via the Coastal Route
Day Twenty-One ~ San Miguel de Oia to Redondela, 28 Km (17.4 Miles), via the Coastal

Skip to Central Route Below, for Final Days 22-25 to Santiago

~ Porto to Santiago Via the Central Route

Day Fifteen ~ Sé do Porto to Vairão (Vilarinho), 25.2 Km (15.66 Miles) via the Central Route
Day Sixteen ~ Vairão (Vilarinho) to Barcelinhos (Barcelos), 28.8 Km (17.9 Mi) via the Central Route
Day Seventeen ~ Barcelinhos (Barcelos) to Ponte de Lima, 33.9 Km (21.1 Miles) via the Central Route
Day Eighteen ~ Ponte de Lima to Rubiães, 17.7 Km (11 Miles)
Day Nineteen ~ Rubiães to Tui, 19 Km (11.8 Miles)
Day Twenty ~ Tui to O Porriño, 17.1 Km (10.63 Miles)
Day Twenty-One ~
O Porriño to Redondela, 15.3 Km (9.51 Miles)
Day Twenty-Two ~ Redondela to Pontevedra, 20 Km (12.43 Miles)
Day Twenty-Three ~ Pontevedra to Valga, 30.5 Km (19 Miles)
Day Twenty-Four ~ Valga to Milladoiro, 26.3 Km (16.34 Miles)
Day Twenty-Five ~ Milladoiro to Santiago, 7.8 Km (4.85 Miles)

Have Peace of Mind on Your Next Camino!

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