The Atlantic Way to Santiago 8D

The Atlantic Portuguese Way is a Hybrid Cycling route program which links the major city of Porto to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia Spain along the beautiful coast-line of Portugal and Galicia.
Follow the Atlantic Ocean and its different sceneries, exploring stunning coastal views and crossing several small towns rich in culture and fill with the camino spirit. Churches, monuments, old crosses will tell the history of this less trodden way until you arrive at Obradoiro Square, just in front of Saint James Cathedral, in the hearth of Santiago of Compostela.

Tour difficulty: Fit

Day 1: Arrival
Welcome at PORTO airport. Transfer from airport or train station to Porto City (00h30).
Porto is a vibrant city, the grey color of the granitic building stones and the narrow streets and alley make it a fantastic place to wander. From the old middle age quarter, UNESCO Classified, to the large avenues of early XX century, Porto has a lot.

Day 2: Bike from Porto to Póvoa do Varzim (43km, +300m)
The day starts from Porto at the Sé, from here the way starts; the end of the camino at Santiago de Compostela is six cycling days ahead. From the Sé we cross the old quarters of Porto, these are the remains of the medieval town to get to the river Douro. We go north pointing to Matosinhos to cross the Leca river and follows the shore while getting to Vila do Conde and Póvoa do Varzim, two towns where Portuguese Ships of the Discoveries were built. In the way not far from Vila do Conde, while crossing a natural area, the way passes near one old iron settlement Castro de São Paio, just by the sea. The day ends in Póvoa do Varzim.

Day 3: Bike from Póvoa do Varzim to Viana do Castelo (45km, +570m)
The day starts cycling once again with the ocean as scenery and get a little inland crossing agricultural lands that grow vegetables. These vegetable grow to feed the north of Portugal.
Arriving at Ofir the path enters the Natural Park of Litoral Norte, a place dedicated to protect sea birds and the dunnar system. Esposende is by the delta of Cavado River and offer a wonderful place to have a stop. While getting to Viana do Castelo the path veers inland to find a way through the hills. Viana do Castelo is not far. The old city still plays an important role and is an important place in the pilgrimage path for the Atlantic way. Nowadays it's a modern city but it has managed to maintain one old town and little shops along these old streets. At the top the Famous Zimborio find pictures of all postcards in Viana. Well worth of a visit, there is a cable car to go to the top...

Day 4: Bike from Viana do Castelo to Baiona (64km, +680m)
The camino will make the shores to Caminha, stretching the coast crossing through several villages and towns. The scenery is very beautiful and the crowds are not around us like other ways to Santiago. Arriving at Caminha Town, the medieval atmosphere gets to us. Galicia is just across the Minho river mouth into the Atlantic.
After the ferry cross, the Camino will go via A Guarda. The little port is a good stop to find a restaurant for fresh fish. The costal scenery will continue to accompany us during the day, the terrain is not very rugged and after A Guarda town almost flat until Oia. Oia is place of an ancient monastery of the order of Cistercian, and gave the name of this saint James Path, the Monacal Path. From Oia onward the paths run near cliffs and arrive at Cape Sillero and start to follow the ancient Vereda Real old medieval road. Old Castles and old towns along the way will lent the pilgrim into Vigo, one of the biggest cities in Galicia, end of this day.

Day 5: Bike from Baiona to Pontevedra (64km, +980m)
From Baiona to Pontevedra the day will offer one Big City and other fantastic views. The first stretch will be linking Baiona to Vigo along the sea front. While entering Vigo by the city parks and gardens you will avoid the noisy part of Vigo. You will leave the city at the middle slope following one dirt road that will bring you to Redondela, where the Monacal Path joins the interior path that comes from Portugal, by Valenca do Minho and Tuy, the path goes along a very dense urban area. In Redondela we let the Ria of Vigo to go ahead into land, crossing several rivers over medieval bridges.
Now you are inland and the hills make the path more demanding. Pontevedra and its historical town are not far while you cross forested countryside. Pontevedra is one very old settlement and it dates back from before the romans. Nowadays the roman bridge is still there but almost unrecognizable. The old part is interesting, and most of it will bring you to medieval ages, early XV and XVI Century. A good place to rest and find a drink while waiting for the next day.

Day 6: Bike from Pontevedra to Padrón (40km, +560m)
We are almost there, two more days of cycling. Exiting Pontevedra via the Roman bridge the path will go out of this urban area and enter the forest of Reiris y Lombo da Maceira. The path nowadays jungles with the N550 road and reaches the thermal village of Caldas de Reis crossing over river Umia by the bridge to enter into its center. Once again the camino follows the old path and enters a beautiful way up by woods and following small rivers with water mills. Padron and its Iglesia de Santiago awaits us for it is forgiving. Usually this is the last stop before Santiago.

Day 7: Bike from Padrón to Santiago da Compostela (27km, +550m)
Santiago awaits us some meagre 27Km ahead. The path goes by Iria Flavia, the place where the body of the apostle come ashore into Galicia. Following the river Sar, we cross some traditional villages. At the Milladoiro we will visualize the Cathedral that shines to us. Just a few more kms...
The afternoon will be free to explore Santiago's old quarter and rest...

Day 8: Transfer to the Porto Airport, Schedule in accordance to Flights. End of program.
Transfer from Santiago de Compostela to Porto City (01h15).

Porto, Portugal