Overseas Walks: Portuguese Camino Trail
‘Doing a Camino’ has become popular, but what does it mean? First, there is no single trail. More than a dozen Caminos – Spanish for both ‘path’ and ‘journey’ – wind their way across Europe. Here David Blaker relates his experiences on walking the . . .
All are ancient pilgrim trails converging on the mediaeval city of Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain. For some, a Camino represents a purely physical challenge, but for others it is also a significant personal pilgrimage.
Pilgrims begin from whatever point they choose, with Roncevalles in France being a common starting place. Jeannie and I rejected this option because 800 km and 45 days would have been too much. Instead, we chose to walk a 240 km Camino from the city of Porto (northern Portugal) to Santiago, which we completed in 12 very enjoyable days.
Our Camino experience was strikingly different to walking in New Zealand, and in many ways easier. We were seldom more than two hours from the nearest accommodation or cafe, which meant no need to carry tents, cooking gear or food. For each, a 7kg pack contained more than enough essentials and spare clothing, Light walking boots were ideal, but our carelessness meant that blisters became a problem.
The well-marked trail goes through small towns, villages, oak woodland, and across ancient Roman bridges built in the time of Emperor Trajan. Some of the trail is on minor country roads, some on walking tracks.
None of this Camino section passes through areas devastated by the forest fires of June 2017–which were some distance to the south.
Culturally the Camino is a rich and varied experience. Baroque churches, farming communities, quiet forests, busy local festivals.
Some of the route follows an Imperial Roman Road, in places still with its original paving. You meet fellow pilgrims of all ages and from many parts of the world, all heading in the same direction. You can be as social as you like, or choose to walk alone.