Navigating the Portuguese Coastal Camino: Journey of Three Women from Baiona to Santiago de Compostela
In the picturesque town of Baiona, nestled on the shores of Bahia Bayona, three intrepid women - Copied, Suruchi Kapur Gomes, Ashita Sawhney, and Deepika Quintas - stood at Paseo Alfonso IX, marveling at the replica of La Pinta, Columbus's ship. This marked the beginning of their journey on the Portuguese Coastal Camino de Santiago, a centuries-old pilgrimage across Europe.
Their route took them through Spain, following the Portuguese Coastal Camino. To navigate this historic path, the women found the Buen Camino app invaluable.
The journey, from Baiona to Santiago de Compostela, was not without its challenges. The women trained for a year, gathering rainproof gear and booking luggage transfers with Natural Adventures. They encountered an ice cream van in a forest near Caldas de Reis, found relief for their aching feet in Roman thermal fountains in the town known for its hot springs, and faced gusty winds and rain throughout their journey.
The trail passed through six towns in seven days, covering a distance of approximately twenty-three kilometers each day. Despite the occasional setbacks, such as Pascal, a Swiss-German friend of the pilgrims, walking 15 km the wrong way and then Ubering back, or the difficulty of locating Redondela due to inadequate maps, the women persevered.
Pontevedra, a car-free town with cobbled streets, churches, spires, and estuaries, was another stop on their journey. Here, the owner of Cafeteria Termas added the Indian flag to their board, claiming that the pilgrims were the first Indians to visit.
The pilgrims also visited Padrón, a town famous for green peppers, where they stayed at the charming Pension Jardin, indulged in churros and chocolate, and learned about its literary legacy.
To prepare well for the Portuguese Coastal Camino de Santiago route, key tips include planning your itinerary carefully, arranging comfortable accommodations, preparing for coastal weather conditions, packing light but suitably for varied terrain and temperature, and obtaining the pilgrim’s passport and shell symbol before starting.
Starting from Porto, the women enjoyed a vibrant city departure followed by scenic coastal walking through beaches, fishing villages, and natural parks, which can be less crowded than inland routes. They walked about 13-15 days, averaging around 20-26 km per day, with the option to shorten or customize stages depending on their fitness and schedule.
Using detailed walking guides and GPS maps for route navigation, the women found self-guided packages including luggage transfers and local support invaluable. They also prepared physically by training on coastal and varied terrain to handle sandy beaches, rocky paths, and some hills.
These steps made their Portuguese Coastal Camino journey more comfortable, safe, and enjoyable. A journey that began as a tourist adventure in Lisbon, meandering through Fátima, Porto, and Braga, transformed into a memorable pilgrimage filled with breathtaking landscapes, historical sites, and camaraderie.
The lifestyle of the three women, Copied, Suruchi Kapur Gomes, Ashita Sawhney, and Deepika Quintas, shifted as they embarked on a travel adventure, following the Portuguese Coastal Camino de Santiago. Their journey, from Baiona to Santiago de Compostela, included treks through six towns in seven days, covering a distance of approximately twenty-three kilometers each day.
While navigating this historic path, the Buen Camino app proved invaluable for the women during their travel, helping them traverse the centuries-old pilgrimage across Europe.
