Atlantic Way to Santiago HISTORICAL COASTAL SUMMER 2018 www.portugalnaturetrails.com info@portugalnaturetrails.com
Atlantic Way to Santiago ADVENTURE NATURE DESCRIPTION Riding on the most interesting and blue way to Santiago 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 coastline of Portugal and Galicia. You will discover TRIP INFORMATION and admire the Portuguese way of pilgrimage, away from the crowds and closer to yourself. Follow the Atlantic Ocean and its different sceneries, exploring stunning coastal views and crossing several small towns rich in culture and full of 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 heart of Santiago of Compostela. ACCOMMODATION Superior TOUR GRADE FIT DURATION 7 Days 6 Nights START END Porto Porto DISTANCE 44km to 60km/ Day ROUTE A mix of paved road, cobblestone roads (some quite rough), dirt and gravel road, and double track road About 25% of route on dedicated or share bike lanes / Tour not possible on 100% paved road PROFILE Flat and moderately hilly on the beginning and more hilly at the end TOUR HIGHLIGHTS Porto, UNESCO Classified town Litoral Norte Natural Park landscapes Ancient architecture and atmosphere Charming hotels and delicious gastronomy Santiago de Compostela, the most famous pilgrim destination
THE ITINERARY DAY 1 ARRIVAL Our Guide will welcome you at the pickup point and drive you to the hotel. Plan some time to enjoy the city, because once you arrive you will understand that Porto is an exciting place. The grey color of the granitic building stones, the narrow streets from the middle ages or the medieval riverside make it a fantastic place to wander. The second biggest city of Portugal, classified by UNESCO as World Heritage site, Porto has a lot to see and will be your home for the first night. ACCOMMODATION Hotel Teatro TRANSFER 30 Minutes DAY 2 PORTO to OFIR Let s start our adventure! Leave Porto behind to find for the first time our amazing coastline. The waves of the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean crash into the lovely beaches and along the way you will certainly find the perfect spot to take a break and breathe the fresh air. Many ancient villages, from the time before our country was founded, will be waiting for you to discover them, but the city that stands out is Vila do Conde. With its quaint historic heart, glassy river mouth, luscious beaches, salty past and monuments like the famous Mosteiro de Santa Clara on the hilltop or the surviving segments of a long-legged medieval aqueduct, this is a popular getaway for Porto residents. Finish your day in the hotel in Ofir for a well deserved rest. ACCOMMODATION Hotel Axis Ofir Beach Resort BIKE 62km
DAY 3 OFIR to CAMINHA It s wonderful to wake up to all this green and just a few meters from your hotel you have the beach of Ofir, perfect for a little morning walk in the Natural Park of the North Coast. It s time to start your day and ride in the direction of our borders with Spain. You will encounter one of the jewels of this tour halfway, when you cross the bridge above the charming river Lima and look at Viana do Castelo from above. This is a blessed placed with an appealing medieval center, rich in palaces emblazoned with coats of arms, churches and monasteries, monumental fountains and water features. In the end of the day arrive at Caminha, a lovely town in the mouth of river Minho and its natural northern border to Spain, and look for a very traditional restaurant because this is your last chance to taste our delicious Portuguese food. ACCOMMODATION Design and Wine Hotel BIKE 59km DAY 4 CAMINHA to VIGO Today you enter the Galicia territory and because the access to the other side of the river is not close by the road, this morning you will cross the magnificient river Minho by ferry. A few km away is the city of A Guarda, go to the top of the hill above the city to visit the Iron Setlement of Santa Tegra, the visit is worth it! You can also visit the medieval monastery of Oia before you arrive at Vigo, an historical city and still the biggest fishing port of Europe. Welcome to Spain! ACCOMMODATION NH Collection Hotel BIKE 59km
DAY 5 VIGO to CALDAS DOS REIS We are getting closer and closer. After leaving Vigo you will start to enter the more common roads to Santiago. You will go in the direction of Pontevedra, a city not as big as Santiago but still very charming and with a great atmosphere on its plazas and cafes. Short after Pontevedra you will have a big wetland where you can admire hundreds of plants and bird species, although along the way the beautiful river crossing places and the trail will always impress you. Finally arrive at Caldas de Reis, a natural spa town since the roman times. This is the perfect place to look for some thermal springs of water or have a more historic walk visiting the many churches of the town. ACCOMMODATION Torre do Rio Rural or Balneario Acuña BIKE 57km
DAY 6 CALDAS DOS REIS to SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA This place is so nice! Caldas dos Reis is such a pretty and refreshing place but it is time to leave and arrive to our so expected destination. Pass by viewpoints, rivers and lush vegetation, and by the medieval city of Padron, famous for the small green and tasty peppers. After, the trail will be in and out of the national road but soon you will start to see the top of the cathedral and it will give you the strenght to finish the final kilometers. Here you are! Finally in Compostela. The Old Town of Santiago de Compostela, together with the outlying Santa Maria de Conxo Monastery, constitutes an extraordinary ensemble of distinguished monuments. The squares and narrow streets of the Old Town contain Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassicist buildings. This town is not only a harmonious and very well preserved historical city, but also a place deeply imbued with faith. Enjoy! ACCOMMODATION Virxe de la Cerca BIKE 44km DAY 7 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA to PORTO Transfer from Santiago de Compostela to Porto. This day is free to explore the city and taste some Porto Wine. Enjoy! Follow the departure with a transfer according to your needs. TRANSFER 2 Hours 30 Minutes
All programs are specially designed for adventure lovers. Amazing experiences are guaranteed. We aren t responsible for possible side effects, that may include moments of extreme happiness, sense of freedom and desire to continue with us. Contact us for more information. Portugal Nature Trails is a registered trademark of Caminhos da Natureza Registered Company as RNAVT (National Registry of Travel Agencies and Tourism) and RNAAT (National Registry of Animation Agent and Tourism) Rua 7 de Junho,58, Leceia, 2730-174 BARCARENA PORTUGAL