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- Day Sixteen, Coastal Route, Vila do Conde to Esposende
Day Sixteen on the Camino Portugués
~ Vila do Conde to Esposende, 23.7 Km (14.73 Miles) Via the Coastal Route
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Our day sixteen on the Camino Portugués was along urban areas, a bit of coast and through verdant fields of Portugal, then a jaunt through smaller towns. It was a day completely different than the prior day. This day we met many new pilgrims, from many different places, yet saw no one that we had seen before.
"Blessed are you pilgrim, when you contemplate the "camino" and you discover it is full of names and dawns." ~ From the Beatitudes of the Pilgrim, slide show in the Pilgrims Office Chapel in Santiago
It was a day of lots of new faces, yet we made very few connections! Our Aussie friend Rob decided to walk inland and take up the Interior Route. Our British friend Steve, for some reason, we never stumbled into! And Chris and Christine, also from Australia were two days behind.
As for the dawns, while we had seen some glorious ones thus far, on the Caminho da Costa, there was only daybreak. Nice enough, especially along the River Ave.
Map and Stats of Day Sixteen on the Camino Portugués
Here is my Google map, of my GPS tracks. The map is just like you would expect, so open it, zoom it, move it around, etc. There are many accommodations along the Way, that I placed on the map, along with the cafés where we stopped. There are many services throughout the day, as you can see. We essentially stayed along the traditional Coastal Route for the day, shown in blue. The Senda Litoral is shown in orange and there are two sections where you can more closely stick to the coastline.
Again, walking along the coast, there is very, very little elevation change as you can see.
Photo-Rich Travelogue of Day Sixteen on the Camino Portugués
We ate our cold breakfast in the Albergue de Peregrinos Santa Clara before setting off. I wanted to go back to where the Camino left off at the Ave River, so we retraced our steps to the south a few meters, to take the official route from the river and get more accurate measurements for the day.
After crossing the Ave River, the pilgrimage traveler must take a left as the waymark indicates, below and walk down the stairs and across the Praça da República to the west side. You can see the waterfront from the plaza.
The waterfront of the Rio Ave was gorgeous and so peaceful. Here you have the option to take the Senda Litoral, and continue to follow the Ave River. This route is shown on the map above in orange. It is a straightforward approach, following the coastline along paved roads.
The Senda Litoral avoids the walk through a long string of suburbia, all the way to Póvoa de Varzim and adds several more kilometers to the day. In retrospect, I wish I had chosen this option, because day sixteen on the Camino Portugués is a shorter day. We, however, chose to continue on the Caminho da Costa.
The Coastal Route turns right on the Rua do Lidador, after the Praça da República and heads north into town.
From the Ave River, Right Turn on Rua do LidadorThe street above crosses the Rua 25 de Abril, to walk past the wonderful little church of São João (St. John) that I visited at the end of day fifteen. If you are here when the church is open, you may want to stop in for a moment. It is worth it, and so is the view from the church terrace.
There are wonderful steel waymarks on the pavement in Vila do Conde, to reassure you that you are indeed on the Caminho Portugués da Costa.
The Coastal Portuguese Camino WaymarkThe pilgrimage traveler must then turn right on Rua da Costa, as it bends left, and heads northward. Here, you come to the Largo Antero de Quental, and turn left onto the narrow side street called the Travessa do Laranjal.
From there, you make a right turn onto the wide main street of R. Comendador António Fernandes da Costa, which shortly becomes the R. dos Benguiados.
The Rua dos Benguiados comes to a circle, crosses the Avenida Júlio Saúl Dias with a large triangular-shaped fountain, and you are now in the town of Alto da Pega. It is possible that you will find an open café at this circle if you have not had your breakfast yet.
Walk straight ahead and by a walled school on your left.
It is a four kilometer stretch between Vila do Conde and Póvoa de Varzim, and I didn't take a lot of photos. It is just one long string of suburban sprawl. Not very photogenic.
In 1/2 km the road becomes the Rua da Estrada Velha. It now begins to look more rural, then the Rua da Estrada Velha bends to the left, continuing on a string of suburban roads, on the way to the next town of Poça da Barca. It may be possible that if you need breakfast that you will pass another café that opens early.
Continue on the Rua da Estrada Velha as it crosses the Avenida Dr. António Bento, where the road becomes the Rua das Violetas in Poça da Barca.
In another 1/2 km or so, the street becomes the Rua dos Ferreiros, and becomes more quaint, and old-town-like with high walls and narrow streets as you walk into Póvoa de Varzim.
Along the Rua dos Ferreiros at the Rua Pereira Azurara
Following Other Early Morning Pilgrims in Póvoa de VarzimAfter walking about another 600 meters or so, along the Rua dos Ferreiros, turn left on Rua Dr Sousa Campos and head toward the center of town.
You enter the Praça da República and the Capela de São Roque immediately comes into view, guarding the entrance to the shopping district on the Rua da Junqueira, and its pleasant walking plaza. In the front of the church is the Monumento ao Carteiro (Monument to the Postman). There is a nice placard in front of the church, talking about the Way of St. James and the Coastal Route. You are at 4.1 kilometers into the day at this church.
Walk along the Rua da Junqueira and through the shopping district.
Sleeping Shopping Street of the Rua da Junqueira, Day Sixteen, Camino PortuguésTurn right onto the Rua da Alegria, and see the looming spire of the Igreja Paroquial de São José de Ribamar, below.
Igreja Paroquial de São José de Ribamar in Póvoa de VarzimAfter the church, turn left onto the Avenida Mouzinho de Albuquerque and head towards the sea, joining the Senda Litoral at about 4.75 kilometers into the day.
If you were to turn right instead at the church, in a few meters you would come to the parochial Albergue de Peregrinos San José de Ribamar (+351 252 622 314), which may be closed due to the pandemic, so be sure to call or ask the locals, ahead of time if you plan to stay here.
Just beyond the albergue is the inexpensive Hotel Avenida. Also inexpensive and along the Camino is the Sardines and Friends Hostel and the Junqueira 76 Guest House. There are also many, many other accommodations in Povoa de Varzim. Click here for the booking website. Check the interactive Google map above for their exact locations.
After reaching the sea once again, turn right on the seaside street called the Avenida dos Banhos. The Camino walks along this wide avenue, with its own promenade, along the beach called the Praia Redonda.
Join the Senda Litoral at the Praia RedondaContinuing to walk north along the Avenida dos Banhos, is the next beach, the Praia da Salgueira. Below, you can see the walkway promenade.
Promenade Along the Praia da Salgueira, Day Sixteen, Camino PortuguésThe Avenida dos Banhos ends after the giant sports stadium on your right and becomes a pedestrian way by this pergola, called the Rua do Alto de Martins Vaz at the Praia da Lada I. The cloudy day was becoming a bit blustery!
The pedestrian way walks on only briefly, becomes the Avenida dos Pescadores at the Praia Lagoa then becomes a pedestrian walkway once again.
Rich on the Avenida dos Pescadores at the Praia LagoaThis section of the Way is all on cobblestone, or actually granite setts along the avenues and pedestrian ways. The Way continues on its granite cobblestone walkway as the Avenida dos Pescadores becomes a street for motor vehicles once again.
At the side beach, the Praia da Fragosa we left the busy Avenida dos Pecadores as it bends hard to the right, and we stayed to the left, closer to the shore, following walkways until the first boardwalk system began. We were now leaving the developed beaches and skyscrapers behind.
First Boardwalk System Begins at the Praia da FragosaThe boardwalk ends on the Avenida Jardim do Praia, by the beach the Praia do Esteiro. Continue on the Avenida Jardim do Praia for 750 meters or so, passing by one beach after another. When the road ended, we turned onto the Rua do Sargaceiro, to walk again by the beach on a developed road. Here the beaches are rocky, and the beachfront is lined with quaint beach houses along the road.
The Rua do Sargaceiro ends at a large roundabout, called the Largo de Quião with its Praia de Quião. It is here that the next boardwalk system begins. When you have the option to take a boardwalk, always take it, no matter what other information you may have! We conferred with the locals here, and were told that it was OK to take this one!
The beaches are rugged here and the wind was picking up. We put on our jackets and even got a brief spritzing of rain.
Rugged Portuguese Coastline, Day Sixteen, Camino PortuguésWe met more pilgrims, a Frenchman named Michele, seen below talking to Rich, on the boardwalk leading to the Praia do Santo André. The pilgrims in front of them are the same ones we saw earlier in Póvoa de Varzim.
While we chatted with Michele awhile, neither Rich nor I really connected with him. He was nice enough, yet clearly an independant walker. No worries. It was his Camino. and our respect for him was high.
Once reaching the Praia Santo André, the boardwalk continues and walks past the Hotel Santo André, then joins the street, the Rua da Marginal for 150 meters before the 3rd boardwalk system begins. At this large hotel complex you have reached the 9.25 kilometer mark on day sixteen of the Camino Portugués.
In about 1/2 kilometer, when this boardwalk system ends, below, it turns to the right to meet the Rua da Marginal once again.
Boardwalk Ends, Turns Right to Join the Rua MarginalWe walked for not quite one kilometer on the Rua Marginal along the seacoast, on long straight concrete promenades toward the town of Aguçadoura and Aguçadoura Beach. In this town, the Aguçadoura Guest House is a few meters off-Camino and has dormitory accommodations, if you are finished for the day.
Halfway towards Aguçadoura in the town of Areosa, we saw a sign pointing to a cafe, and we walked one block off the waterfront to see the Flor do Trigo pastry shop. After the usual delights and coffee, and sandwiches to compliment the treats, we headed back on the Camino. We had logged in about 10.5 kilometers for the day, not quite halfway.
When the road ends at a carpark by the Aguçadoura Beach, the boardwalk begins again, winds around a bit, then walks straight on for about another 1.5 kilometers and past this windmill, pictured below.
Boardwalk at the Praia Aguçadoura BeachThe boardwalk eventually comes to a parking area at a large soccer field, around 12.5 kms into the day. It turns inland a bit as it makes an S-curve, crosses another parking area to continue again, straight ahead along the eastern side of the soccer field. This brand-new boardwalk system then follows a dirt road for about one kilometer, skirting the Estela Golf Course to the east.
The boardwalk ends at an intersection with a paved road, and the Camino goes to the right, eastward and inland about 250 meters, to join the M501. After turning left onto the M501, the Camino remains on this road for about another kilometer.
As we walked on the cobblestone roadway of the M501, we passed many fertile fields and greenhouses along the way. The crop below, we determined to be onions.
Greenhouses and Onion Fields Along the M501
Harvesting Onions, Day Sixteen, Camino PortuguésI was not thrilled to be back on the cobblestone, but what can the pilgrimage traveler do?
Rich Walking Along the M501, Past More GreenhousesAfter two kilometers on the M501, the Camino turns left onto this side road, below, onto what else, but more cobblestone!
Left Turn Here, Off M501, Day Sixteen, Camino PortuguésAfter only 300 meters or so, we turned to the right at this intersection, onto another side road. You can see the yellow arrow on the rock, below.
Follow Yellow Arrow to the RightThe windmill, in the distance, above, shown closer-up, below. We did not walk by this one.
Close-Up of WindmillAt the intersection shown below is where the golf course path rejoins the official Coastal Route.
Yellow Arrow on Rock and the Side RoadAlong this quiet stretch we saw no one, not even other pilgrims. Eventually the cobblestone road turns into a farm road, then the Way turns left on another cobblestone side road through this greenway forested area.
Through Forest GreenwayIn about 2.3 kilometers after leaving the M501 and after the greenway, and about 17 kilometers total, the Camino crosses over a larger road at a roundabout, and onto the Rua do Pinhal. You can see the Camino waymark on the large tree, below, where you walk straight on.
Rua do Pinhal - Go Left for the Senda LitoralYou have the option here of turning left, instead of through the roundabout, to take the Senda Litoral to Fão, avoiding Apúlia. There are no waymarks to show you the way to the Senda Litoral here, so you will have to understand where you are to take it! See the interactive map above, where the orange route branches, just south of Apúlia.
Along the Senda Litoral in the section before Esposende, there is no boardwalk once you get to the seacoast at the Praia da Ramalha, but you could walk on many beaches including the Praia Ramalha, Praia Apúlia, and Praia de Apúlia Norte, all long lovely tourist beaches. Otherwise it is just more pavement walking. There is a very short section of boardwalk after Praia de Apúlia Norte and several historic windmills to see. After the windmills, there would be more pavement walking, and then an eastward approach towards Fão on pavement to avoid the Cáadavo River delta on the way to Esposende.
We chose to walk straight on the Caminho da Costa, walking on the Rua do Pinhal, as it was drizzling a bit and a touch windy. We did not wish to walk on the beach in the wind and rain. This way was also shorter and we had plenty of walking along the beach already!
In 1/4 kilometer, you turn left on the Rua da Igreja to walk into Apúlia. In the photo below, we are getting close to the Centro Paroquial Vila de Apúlia, or the Parish Center.
There is now a convenient Pilgrim’s Stop on your right, just before the church, where you can get a stamp and refreshments from the vending machines inside.
The Rua da Igreja into Apúlia, Day Sixteen, Camino PortuguésThere is a nice information board just before the church, below right, where two pilgrims are huddled over. They refused to look at us as we briefly looked over their shoulders, and then left. A language barrier is what I guessed.
When we arrived at the front of the church, after 17.6 kilometers, a group of ladies was coming out. Rich, once again, was in a chatty mood, talking to everyone he saw! Breathe Elle! Adjust!
We would stumble upon these ladies a few times again, but we were keeping a faster pace. This would be the theme of the Portuguese Camino, from Porto. Many ways, many pilgrims, weaving their way in and out of our journey.
After the church, we continued on the Rua da Igreja, then shortly crossed over the Avenida da Praia (road to the beach, so you could turn left here as well for the Senda Litoral, if you needed more beach time. It is shorter than the route described above.) After this crossover, the road becomes the Rua da Agra. The private Albergue Santiago da Costa (+351 961 885 803) is along this route, after about 3/4 km. After this crossover, the road becomes the Rua da Agra.
After about 1.5 kilometers on country roads, the Way becomes a lane through fields and forest. It was pleasant walking along this lane and I didn't mind not being on the coast.
Rural Lane Before Fão on Day Sixteen, Camino PortuguésIn about another 1/2 km the Camino joins the Rua da Ramalhão and walks by a large sports complex on the south side of Fão. You have reached about 20 kilometers into day sixteen at this complex.
In yet another 1/2 kilometer or so, turn right onto the Rua de Santo António, then left in a couple hundred meters onto the Rua das Almas. Several hundred meters more and you come to the busy N13 and turn left (north) to walk into Fão.
Along this portion we met Janny from the Netherlands, and here Rich is chatting with her. Another new face. She was walking alone, was warm and very friendly.
On the N13 to Fão, Rich and Janny, from NetherlandsAh, the never ending changes of face on the Camino Portugués from Porto! I needed to adjust. However, Janny would remain our companion for the rest of our Camino. A real jewel.
We had to walk only briefly on the N13, before turning right at the first Y-intersection onto the Av. Dr. Henrique Barros Lima, below left. In late April, the Easter banners were still overhead. At this turn, looking hard right, is the Pousada de Juventude, a lovely private albergue. There are two more private albergues in Fão, the Spot Hostel Ofir to the west of the N13 and the Hostel do Alto, a bit farther west.
For more accommodations in Fão, if your journey ends here, click here.
The street becomes the Rua Azevedo Coutinho, a quaint side street, and walks by this chapel, the Capela de Fão, below right.
Right Turn on the Av. Dr. Henrique Barros Lima
Rich at the Capela de FãoClose by the chapel, our eyes spied a pastry shop, the Pastelaria Clarinha, and so we followed our eyes! Our saying was fast becoming, "Never enough Nata!" and so we had one! With café con leite of course!
If you don't know about the Pastel de Nata yet, it is a custard pastry to die for! Lovely custard-filled tarts, a delectable Portuguese treat! One of these butter, egg and milk-laden treats, with coffee and milk can take me at least 10 kilometers!
Onward Through Fão on the Rua Azevedo CoutinhoWhen we had almost walked through Fão we came to the Bombeiros Voluntários de Fão fire station. As we walked by they were having an honors ceremony. Lovely to see. This had special meaning to Rich, since he is a volunteer fireman at our home! He just doesn't have quite such a wonderful uniform to wear!
Honor Ceremony at the Fão Volunteer Fire DepartmentAfter the plaza by the fire department, we turned left onto the Rua do Cais, shown below, to meet the Rio Cávado. The bridge ahead is our destination toward Esposende.
In less than 100 meters, on day sixteen of our Camino Portugués we joined N13, to turn right and cross the river.
After crossing the river, we immediately bent left onto the Rua da Ponte Dom Luís Filipe, a broad avenue, below, without a sidewalk, but an adequately wide shoulder.
Along the Rua da Ponte Dom Luis FilipeThe first accommodation after crossing the river, a few steps off-Camino is the Sleep & Go (+351 932 005 800), a private albergue. Take the first right after the turn off the N13.
Next, after one km from the bridge, and right along the Way is the Hotel Mira Rio. It also has a restaurant.
Hotel Mira Rio in EsposendeWe wished to continue into town, so we followed the Camino left at the next roundabout, immediately turned right, then an immediate left onto the Rua Narciso Ferreira that goes through town. If you are walking onward another 4.5 kilometers to the Albergue de Peregrinos de Marinhas, stay to the left at the roundabout and continue walking along the waterfront, on a lovely pedestrian and bikeway. You will rejoin the coastal route in about another 1.5 kilometers, saving you a few steps for your day.
In about 1/2 km we walked by the Hostel Eleven, where we ended up choosing to stay for the night. This was the place we were looking for. It was not yet 4:00 p.m. when the albergue opened.
Hostel Eleven in EsposendeIt is a long story how we happened to reserve the Hostel Eleven. For some reason we had the idea that the municipal albergue four kilometers farther on in Marinhas was already full. It is a long way north to the next accommodation from the albergue, and we did not want to have to back track to Esposende.
After locating the Hostel Eleven, we went on into the town square to look at making reservations. We sat at the Pastelaria Doce Rio for a beer, below, and asked the waiter there about the muni ahead. He said that indeed he heard that it was full, and it would be best to try to get reservations here in Esposende ASAP.
I tried to book the Hostel Eleven on my smart phone, to no avail! We asked the waiter again for assistance, and he called someone, and said that everything was full! What? I didn't think we saw that many pilgrims! It was only the end of April! Something just didn't make sense.
We figured that we might have to pay a bit to spend the night at the beachside somewhere, but we would be fine. We decided to wait for the Hostel Eleven to open at 4:00 and see what was up.
Meanwhile, we spent the time visiting the church, the Igreja da Misericórdia, below on the left of the photo, and city hall, the Câmara Municipal de Esposende, below on the right. You can also see the café in the foreground where we had beers at the tables in the church square.
The small church was simple and delightful. I said a prayer for our friend Rob, walking and carrying his illness.
Igreja da Misericórdia in Esposende
Delightful Small Pilgrim Statue in the Igreja da MisericórdiaFrom this small square, immediately west there are now three more private albergues, the Inn Esposende Sports Hostel, the Eskama Hostel and farther out the Esposende Guest House along the Senda Litoral. The Sea Soul Esposende, on the north side of town, a few blocks east of the Coastal Route also has dormitory beds. For even more choices, click here for pre-booking in Esposende.
When we rang the doorbell at the Hostel Eleven after 4:00, it turned out that there was plenty of room. In fact, there was only one other Canadian couple who stayed there that night, with whom we barely spoke.
It must have been a Booking.com glitch, and we were glad we tried the Hostel Eleven in person. It turned out to be a gorgeous, brand-new place, with very friendly folks running it. A large continental breakfast was included in the price of 40 Euro for their double room. It's about 14 Euros/person in the dormitory, breakfast included. To see more photos of this lovely place, click here. I highly recommend it.
For dinner, we went to the restaurant a few meters down the street from the hostel, the Restaurante Adega Regional Do Cuco. I am sad to say, that I cannot recommend it. They served us bad wine, and a so-so stew that was the "Pilgrim's Menu." I think it was discards from the day prior, myself.
The Hostel Eleven does have a kitchen, which you could use to cook, as an alternative option!
Reflections on Day Sixteen, Camino Portugués
The ever changing pilgrim faces were a new force with which I had to reckon. While I love the quote at the beginning of the article from the Pilgrim's Office Chapel in SdC, to collect names (and dawns), what was happening on my Camino suited me too well!
As in the prior day, I knew that I would adjust. As the famous Buddhist saying goes, "And this also I shall include." Include into my soul, all that is presented to me, whatever it is and however I judge it to be! It is all part of the Camino experience.
Anyhow, there is nothing that will make you feel better on the Camino than pastel de nata and a café con leite. Seriously! We indulged three times on day sixteen of our Camino Portugués! A small piece of heaven with every bite!
Salutation
May your own day sixteen on the Camino Portugués be filled with names, connections and a gorgeous dawn. Or may you adjust to whatever comes your way! Ultreia!
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And the Journey Continues:
~ Lisbon to Porto
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