The Way of the Wandering Ponds

We’ve shared some history and traditions of the Camino de Santiago, but now that our trip is almost here, we want to tell you more about our own hiking plans. This post is all about how we’ll spend our days, how far we’ll walk, and what our journey will look like from start to finish.

By Sea and By Land

We’ll start our Camino in Porto, Portugal. For the first seven days, we’ll be walking along the beautiful Portuguese coast, moving from one seaside town to the next. We’re looking forward to ocean views, fresh air, and maybe a few seafood dinners.

After we reach the Spanish border, we’ll take a day to rest and recharge in a city called Vigo. Then, we’ll continue for five more days, this time heading inland through Galicia, Spain, until we reach Santiago de Compostela. Each day, we’ll get a little closer to our goal and enjoy whatever the trail brings.

Accommodations

We’ll be staying in hotels every night. After a day of walking, it’ll be nice to have a comfortable bed, a hot shower, and a little space to relax. We’ll only carry what we need for the day in small backpacks, which should make the walk lighter and more enjoyable for us.

On Our Own

We’re not joining a group or tour for this hike. It’ll just be the two of us out on the trail each day, finding our own way and setting our own pace. We’re excited to be doing this by ourselves, making the experience even more personal and meaningful.

Sunrise Starts

Each morning, we plan to wake up early and start walking at sunrise. Our goal is to finish most days by early afternoon, giving us time to explore, rest, and enjoy each new place we visit. We’re not in a hurry or trying to set any records. We look forward to soaking in the experience, exploring the country, and enjoying our adventure together.

Our Camino Schedule

Here’s our daily schedule, along with the distances we’ll be walking:

• April 28-29: Porto (rest and explore)
• April 30: Porto to Povoa de Varzim – 16 miles
• May 1: Povoa de Varzim to Esposende – 14 miles
• May 2: Esposende to Viana do Castelo – 15 miles
• May 3: Viana do Castelo to Vila Praia de Âncora – 12 miles
• May 4: Vila Praia de Âncora to A Guarda – 8 miles
• May 5: A Guarda to Baiona – 19 miles
• May 6: Baiona to Vigo – 16 miles
• May 7: Vigo (rest day)
• May 8: Vigo to Arcade – 14 miles
• May 9: Arcade to Pontevedra – 7 miles
• May 10: Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis – 14 miles
• May 11: Caldas de Reis to Padrón – 11 miles
• May 12: Padrón to Santiago de Compostela – 16 miles
• May 13–14: Santiago (rest and celebrate!)

We’re excited (and a little nervous) to see how each day unfolds. We’ll be sharing stories, photos, and updates as we go, so you can follow along with us from home. Thanks for cheering us on and being part of our adventure!