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In February 2024, I decided to cover a small part of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago de Compostela, a pilgrimage that goes back to the 9th century. Ancient fishing towns, sandy beaches, and the pristine blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean were part of my short hike. Even though I didn`t cover the whole pilgrimage, this trail began in Porto and ended in Vila do Conde, which is nowadays the first stop for pilgrims.
In January 2024, I decided to hike in one of the oldest towns in Portugal on an 8 km loop trail. Guimarães, also known as the birthplace of the country, is much more than a medieval town with Gothic churches and quaint squares. Venturing outside of the old town, I went to the Penha Sanctuary, a national park that goes back to prehistoric times. Caves, boulders, and gorges followed by endless stairs provide a unique blend between Mother Nature and man-made architecture, especially once you reach the Modern church at the top, overlooking all of Guimarães.
In December 2023, I`ve decided to cross the famous 19th-century-old Luís I Bridge Luís I, in Porto, and start from Gaia`s cliff - Jardim do Morro - towards the Nature Reserve Douro Estuary Site. Along this 2h00 walk, I encountered where the exquisite Port Wine is stored in the famous wine cellars that decorate Gaia`s urban landscape, as well as the art of crafting the Rabelo boats, that were once used to transport this beverage from the Douro Valley to here. Afar, I could see the Arrábida Bridge and the fishing village of Afurada. Even nowadays, fishing is still an activity that the elderly fully enjoy. In the end, just before tasting a delicious cup of Port Wine, I ended up doing some birdwatching in the Douro Estuary Site, right at the delta of the Douro River with the Atlantic Ocean.
My first adventure starts 15 mins outside of Porto, in the borough of Matosinhos. Following the coastline, considered one of seven Caminos to Santiago de Compostela, a religious pilgrimage quite popular in the Middle Ages. I`ll be in the elements, facing the cold northern wind and having the ocean as my companion. Several distinct fishermen`s towns are included in this journey, such as Cabo do Mundo, Angeiras, Lavra, Vila Chã, and Mindelo, where we can observe the craftsmanship of the fishermen who return from the ocean with fresh fish to the main restaurants. From sandy dunes to secluded beaches, the North Atlantic Coast is a must if you wish to venture outside of Porto`s hustle and bustle and explore a bit of the rugged coastline. My trail was done in November 2023, during the winter season, hence the cold weather and grey sky.
My solo walking starts just at the heart of Porto`s old town, the Ribeira district. I walked approximately 2h30 from the Douro River banks towards the Atlantic Ocean. On my way, I encountered one of the oldest parishes of Porto, named Foz do Douro, once a fishermen`s neighborhood, and nowadays a quaint touristy area. Two of six bridges are seen during this ambient film: the first one is Luís I Bridge, a late 19th century old, remarkable work and wonder of iron architecture; the second concerns Arrábide Bridge, built in the mid-20th century. Both connect Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia, where the Port Wine cellars can also be seen from afar, alongside Afurada. At the end, Foz is where the river meets the ocean, the delta of the Douro. Even during the off-season, there are always people doing this short walk just to observe the seagulls, listening to the sound of the waves crashing into the rocks, and being in the elements.
