As an alternative to the interior Portuguese Route we offer you the Portuguese Route which leads by the Atlantic coast from Porto to Santiago. Magnificent landscapes, undiscovered places, very few pilgrims, so if you would like to escape from more crowded routes, this one should be yours.
Santiago does not have to be an end. If reaching Santiago is not enough, there is a so-called prolongation route to Finisterre (the official name is Fisterra) and even to Muxía. Before the Camino de Santiago was set as a Christian pilgrimage route, in the times where Iberian tribes and Celts were still living in the Iberian Peninsula, people used to travel to Finisterre, which Latin’s name means “Land’s End” and indeed was a World’s End for our European ancestors. The Land’s End was a symbolic place where the Sun was diving every day into the Ocean. This ancient pigrimage ritual was the expression of the devotion to the Sun. It is told that there was a Sun’s altar called “Ara Solis” on Cape Finisterre.
The first part of the Original Way will take you from the medieval Oviedo through the rugged mountains of Asturias. Along the way you will enjoy the magnificent views and face many ups and downs of the solitary scenery
The second part of the Original Way leaves behind Asturian mountains and centers itself in the rural Galicia. In Melide the route merges with the crowded French Way.
This part of the Portuguese route leads from Porto to Tui – the town located on the border between Portugal and Spain, or better to say Spanish Galicia. Here you will experience one week of trekking through the Northern Portugal. Green forests and hills, historical towns and villages – Portugal like you never imagined it.
In this part of the Portuguese Route, instead of Portugal you will get to know Portugal’s elder sister – Galicia. This region, even though it belongs to Spain, historically and linguistically is much more related to Portugal. During your Camino from Tui you will visit the Southern part of Galicia, its coast, vineyards and you will see the particular mixture of medieval history with the modernity.
Make your first steps on the Camino in both French and Spanish parts of the Basque Country and Navarra. Cross the Pyrenees, visit Pamplona and follow to La Rioja region. This part of the world is famous for its wines and excellent food.
From La Rioja to Castilia region. Meet the famous rooster from Santo Domingo de la Calzada; the legend tells he sung after roasted. This land is considered a Spanish (Castilian) language cradle.
Welcome to the Spanish Meseta – plain, warm and constant. Between two cities of the famous Cathedrals meet small typical Castilian villages and challenge yourself to experience the tough but beautiful desert-looking land.
The challenging part of the Camino. Start in the ancient capital of the kingdom of Leon and experience the changing landscape. After the last steps on the Meseta you will have to climb a mountain to get to Galicia and to travel in time.
Last 120 km (75 miles) of the French Route - the minimum you need to walk to be rewarded with the Compostela. Know Galicia with its green landscapes and Celtic and Roman architecture. Enjoy seafood, soft climate and company of the experienced pilgrims who finish here their Camino.