2020 Camino Challenge

This September, we will be taking a team to take on the Portuguese Camino and we want you to join us!

The Camino Portugues became an extremely popular route when the country gained its independence – way back in the 12th Century. Today, some believe it to be the route richest in cultural and architectural curiosities. The Camino Portugues starts in Lisbon and crosses the Alentejo and the central and northern regions of Portugal. It moves into Spain then, to Tui, and continues north through Galicia and on to Santiago de Compostela.

Our section is the last section you walk in Portugal as it moves from the coastal city of Porto north and inland passing by traditional and historical villages and towns to the border with Spain and the town of Tui.

Some of the highlights that you can expect this year:

Porto

A vibrant coastal city in the north of Portugal, Porto has much to offer and well worth an extra night to have the time to fully explore the city. Meander through the medieval streets of the Ribeira District, take a relaxing boat ride on the Douro river or cross one of the many bridges to visit the southern side of the river, Vila Nova de Gaia where the port wine houses are located, offering tastings and tours of their cellars.

Barcelos

This delightful medieval town is perched on a hill above the Cavado River. Here you will find the oldest and largest outdoor market held every Thursday selling not only food, but hand woven linens and local pottery. One particular piece of pottery that you will see everywhere is the rooster of Barcelos. The legend goes that a dead chicken came back to life on the dinner table of the judge after he wrongly condemned a pilgrim to hang. Through the intervention then of St James despite having been hung the man was still alive when the judge went to the gallows upon witnessing the miracle of the rooster. The rooster is now a widely recognised symbol of Portugal.

Ponte de Lima Bridge

Ponte de Lima is one of the oldest towns of Portugal and here the Camino crosses the Ponte de Lima Bridge, which the town name derives from. This bridge supposedly marks the spot where the Romans crossed the river. The legend goes that the troops wouldn’t cross the river as they thought it was the river of forgetfulness, so one of the Generals crossed the river and then called each of the soldiers across by name dispelling the myth. On the river bank you can today see 24 wooden soldiers waiting to be called across.

Will you join our Camino Challenge in 2020 and help us raise vital funds for St James’s Hospital?