Day Seventeen on the Central Route of the Camino Portugués ~ Barcelinhos (Barcelos) to Ponte de Lima, 33.9 Km (21.1 Miles)

Our day seventeen on the Central Route of the Camino Portugués was a very long walk for me. It was, however, full of charm and our ongoing camaraderie which made the miles go by quicker than otherwise. We continued to help Magdalena, however, she made her own road as well, with the assistance of the amazing Fernanda, a Portuguese Hospitalera. 

"It's your road and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you." ~ Rumi

Indeed, the road is your own, and in the end, you must walk it yourself, both physically as on this day on the Camino, as well as metaphorically on your spiritual journey through life. Others make it easier, but cannot complete it for you. Such would be the case for all of us.  

Map and Stats of Day Seventeen on the Central Route of the Camino Portugués

Here is our Google map from my uploaded GPS tracks. I also placed the accommodations, supermarkets, cafés, churches and other points of interest on the map that you will encounter as you walk along. 

Please note that I started the kilometer readings for the day at the town church in Barcelos, not at the albergue in Barcelinos where the narrative begins farther below. 

As you can see on the elevation profile, there are several significant climbs, accumulating almost 700 meters. Add this to the length of the day and if you complete this entire stage, you will feel it. I took the day, step-by-step and would have stopped if I had needed to. There are many accommodations along this stretch as you can see from the above map, so the day can be as long or as short as you need. 

Photo-Rich Travelogue of Day Seventeen, Central Route of the Camino Portugués

Because of the length of the day, Rich, Matt and I got an early start at 0700. Our chair-bound friend, Magdalena had already left earlier. We knew we would catch her on the first uphill. Magnus, as usual chose to sleep longer and catch us along the way. 

When we left our albergue in Barcelinhos, it had just become light as we crossed the bridge across the Cádavo River. The town was decorated for the annual Festa das Cruzes, the Festival of the Crosses, held at the end of April and early May every year. What was once a religious celebration is now a secular one with parades, food costumes and fireworks. 

After crossing the river, you turn left to climb the hill to the main cathedral, the Igreja de Matriz de Barcelos (see day sixteen). After rounding the cathedral to the left, you will see the waymark below, directing you left and onto this pedestrian way called the Rua São Francisco. (This photo I took the evening before).

After two blocks, we turned right and joined the main shopping pedestrian street, shown below, passing the In Barcelos Hostel & Guest House, a pilgrim accommodation. We all had our breakfast at the albergue, but I also noted soon after, the Café Casa das Natas on the pedestrian street. It was not open. Most cafés do not open before 0800 in Portugal. 

On the right, just after the hostel and across from the Casa das Natas, there is a vending machine area, that sells pretty decent food and coffee. The machine will even heat your food! This is not a bad option, if you haven't had breakfast and/or coffee.

Farther on, we walked by the glowing medieval tower on our right, with the sun capturing its glory, pictured below. The tower houses the tourist office. 

And just across the plaza is the Church of the Good Lord Jesus of the Cross, also shown below. It is a lovely octagon-shaped building. 

The Camino turns left by the octagonal church, after about ½ kilometer total, to pick up the Av. da Liberdade just behind it. Along the divided and lovely avenida, we passed by another café that was closed, the Pastelaria E Café Arantes and also the Alojamento Local Arantes, in the same building. 

We continued walking north on the Avenida for another 200 meters or so, staying right, or east of a park where the street becomes the Rua Dr. Manuel Pais. This street continues on for another 600 meters, takes a big bend and ends at a roundabout, where the Camino takes a left onto the Av. Paulo Felisberto to cross the main city bypass on a bridge.

Across this highway bridge, in 100 more meters you will enter the next town of Vila Boa. The way is well way-marked, as you can see, below left. 

We continued walking north for another 1/2 kilometer on the Avenida Felisberto, until coming to a large roundabout, where the Camino takes the second right, onto the Rua de São Mamede. Through here is where we caught up to Magdalena, below right. She was checking her route in her guidebook. She was happy to see us, and as usual we eased her fears, telling her just to come with us. We would get her through whatever we encountered. She agreed to join us once again.

For 800 meters, you stay on this road as it becomes the Rua Vermil until you come to a Y-intersection, where you go to the right and onto the Rua de Raizes. About 100 meters farther on, you stay left at the next Y-intersection and in a few meters, left again at another Y-intersection, to pick up the Rua da Ajuda toward the center of town. The Alojamento Flora (+351 967 721 290), is at this juncture. 

As we were walking and chatting, along came Magnus to join us! The team was together once again! (I guess he didn't sleep much longer after all!) 

We continued northward and 300 meters later came to the town church, where you turn left onto the Rua da Igreja, passing the Café Central of Vila Boa on the right hand corner at about 3.3 kilometers into the day. It was also closed. Here the area becomes more rural-looking and I was surprised to see a pasture of long-horned cattle, below right. 

And then, when we came to this intersection, shown below, on the Rua do Espírito Santo, where the Camino turns to the right to begin another section off-pavement, Magdalena started wheeling herself onward toward the N204 instead. 

Apparently, she had done her research the night before and decided she was going to take the highway from here, as the Camino would be too difficult for her going forward in a chair. I ran ahead to catch her to ask her what her plan was. As it turned out, the truth was that Magdalena did not want to inconvenience us, by making us push her as much as needed the day before!

I slowly understood her dilemma, and said, "Why don't we ask the guys how they feel about it? She reluctantly agreed. The guys caught up, and we conferred as a team. They were more than willing to push her again. She slowly acquiesced. After all, the Camino is about being connected and helping one another on the journey. Yet she was determined to be independent and do as much herself as possible. 

I understood her need for independence, of course, but I offered her the suggestion that accepting help may be her lesson as well? After all, we humans need one another, and we were all willing and able to have her continue on with us, together.

Here is Matt, with Rich in tow, taking the bull by the horns as he pushed her back to the turn off for the Rua do Espírito Santo! Onward, together we went!

Magdalena easily wheeled herself along the Rua do Espírito Santo, past the Cruzeiro after 250 meters, below, staying to to the left, and taking a right turn at the Chapel in another 150 meters, on day seventeen of the Portuguese Way, Central Route. 

And then the terrain became more interesting. Here the cobblestone street becomes quite steep, as it drops to the train tracks below. Rich is helping Magdalena brake as she negotiated the steep terrain.

If you notice in all the photos of her, she never just sits back and lets someone take total control. She is forward in her seat, hands on the wheels, with at least one foot down, ready to brake. This is how she gets the front of her legs all banged up and bruised, as they hit her chair legs in the front. This is also how she gets many blisters on her hands!

After descending down to the train tracks, and crossing over them, the Way took us to this cobblestone and dirt lane, below. Matt is guiding Magdalena here, through this terrain.

Along this rural lane, a farmer comes by on his tractor, waves to us, stops and gets off the tractor. He says, in English, "Where are you from?"  to Magnus. Magnus says "Germany!" The farmer reaches to shake his hand, then when Magnus reaches out, he does the trick where he pulls his hand back and rubs his head. We all laughed.

Then he asks the next person, 'Where are you from?" Again, just as the person reached out, he pulled his hand back, and did another type of wave with his hand. We all laugh again!

He goes through one person at a time, each time using his hand for a different trick! And he laughs heartily each time along with us, thoroughly enjoying himself!! (Probably even more than we did!)

Then he wishes us a "Bom Caminho" and gets back on his tractor and drives off. We laughed about this friendly interaction for a while afterwards. I wondered how many pilgrims he accosts in a day or week, amusing himself in this diversion. What a character!

More country charm was ahead on this lane toward the next town of Lijó.

When we reached Lijó, after about one kilometer on the dirt lane, staying to the left at several intersections, the lovely little Capela de São Sebastião greeted us in the center of town. 

Across from the chapel is the Café Arantes, where we took the opportunity to have our first real cup of coffee with milk (café con leite). We had clocked about 5.4 kilometers into our day seventeen, Camino Portugués on the central route from Barcelos.

Then, onward, we set off, Magnus, Rich, Matt and I. We were back on the pavement again, staying left after the chapel and onto the street called "Rua dos Caminheiros de Santiago" or "Street of Two Santiago Walkers!" Lovely name!

Just beyond the café and chapel, above, we saw the Casa São Sebastião guesthouse. Click on the link for their Facebook page. It looked inviting. 

In a few hundred meters from the café was yet another gorgeous chapel, the Capela de Santa Cruz, shown below, on day seventeen of our Portuguese Camino along the Central Route. 

By the church there is a very nice information board, listing all the municipal albergues on the Central Route! Take a photo of this for future reference. 

Continuing on our "Street of Two Santiago Walkers," we left the town and had a marvelous jaunt through the countryside, seeing more farmers, below, gathering their grass into hand-made sheaths. Fascinating, this "Old Country."

After about 1.2 kilometers, the Rua dos Caminheiros de Santiago ended, and we crossed over the CM106, to follow the same road, now called the Caminho de São Tiago, rather a different version of the same name. This is a nice packed dirt, cobblestone free road. Here is Magnus pushing Magdalena across the street. 

About 3/4 kilometer later at this  crossroad, below, we came to a signpost announcing that the next albergue was 2.0 kilometers away. That would be the one in São Pedro Fins.

As we walked straight and onto this cobblestone street, there was a sign informing us that we were arriving in Tamel, São Pedro Fins, the next town district.

Within a few more steps, is the interesting Fonte de Ferreirinha. You can safely fill your water bottles here, if needed. The fountain is at about 7.5 kilometers into the day.

The Caminho de São Tiago continues for about 3/4 kilometer, beginning the more than two kilometer, 130 meter (400 ft.) climb to Tamel. You can see this first steep climb on the elevation profile above. After the 3/4 kilometer, it joins the pavement of the Rua da Cruz, staying on a northward trajectory.  

A few meters after joining the pavement, you will come to a decision point, a new feature in recent years. You have the choice of going straight, "by the wooden cross" and following our original description next, or turning left and onto the Rua da Igreja to go "by the church," as the blue sign states. According to the sign, both routes are equidistant, and according to the concrete waymark, the official way is to the left. If you are staying at the Leonchic Guest House, you must turn left as the sign indicates. 

According to my measurements, the route to see the church, the Igreja Paroquial de Tamel (São Pedro Fins), is a wee bit longer by 150 meters, but there is no difference in altitude gain. Both routes gain 65 meters and feel steep!

The Original 1.18 Kilometer Route "By the Wooden Cross."

If you choose the shorter, paved way straight on, the route is straightforward, climbing on pavement along the continuing Rua da Cruz. 

The Camino stays on the Rua da Cruz for a bit more than a kilometer, until it joins the M543 for the final 1/2 kilometer to the albergue and the center of Tamel. It is closer to 2.5 kilometers from the earlier sign above, to the albergue.

It is at the juncture of the M543 where you will find the wooden cross that the decision point refers to. This is an uninteresting feature, in my opinion, and I didn't even bother to photograph it! It is just after the wooden cross where the two routes converge. 

The 1.33 Kilometer Official Route "By the Church"

Within only a few meters after the decision point you arrive at the Igreja Paroquial de Tamel (São Pedro Fins). It was not open when we walked by. For me, the most interesting thing about this church was the goats running around the fronr of it!

After the church, turn right onto the cobblestone lane heading northward. In a few meters, pass the church cross, and continue on the cobblestone lane. While the church may not be an interesting enough feature to take this now-official way, the opportunity to be off-pavement on a quieter lane, albeit rough cobblestone, may be.

This lane begins to climb very steeply, passing the Leonchic Guest House and restaurant (not pictured). 

After the 1.33 kilometers, turn left onto the M543 at a T-intersection. Look to your right to catch a glimpse of the wooden cross. 

Hopefully I have given you sufficient information to make your own choice, but for me, I will stay straight the next time I pass through. 

Back on the Main Route

From the M543 you can see the Capela da Senhora da Portela chapel high on the hill, long before you arrive. Just before the chapel, you encounter the new building of the Tamel Municipality (São Pedro Fins). Follow the sign to the Albergue Casa da Recoleta de São Pedro Fins - Tamel - Barcelos, by turning right and walking around the back of the building. Or, you can continue walking on the road to the chapel stairs, where you can reach the albergue from this direction as well. You are almost exactly 10 kilometers from Barcelos when you arrive at the albergue and the top of the first climb.

After walking past the municipal building you arrive at the chapel, and look for the set of stairs from the road, where the yellow arrow leads you up the stairs toward the chapel and its cross.

Just to the left of the chapel, is the albergue, shown below. 

It was early in the day when we arrived and there was no one in the albergue. Magdalena briefly considered staying here for the night, then quickly abandoned the idea when she realized she would be waiting in town for a long while before it opened. We decided as a group to carry on. 

The gentlemen explored the chapel to see if it was open (which it was not), while I sat on the terrace wall, enjoying the ambience of the place. It is a lovely spot on earth. If you are seeking serenity, this would be the place. 

After the chapel and albergue, we walked on and within a few meters came to a T-intersection and turned right onto the busy N204. As you may notice, the Portuguese Camino on day seventeen of the central route, weaves back and forth with the N204, generally following in its path northward. 

We joined it for about 1/2 kilometer, on a nice pilgrim’s path along the side of the highway, before we reached another decision point for Magdalena. 

Magdalena wanted to continue onward on the N204 as far as she could go, and join up with us later, maybe even in Ponte de Lima. I felt horrible leaving her on the busy highway by herself. Indeed, the Camino ahead looked tricky for a wheelchair. She did not want us to have to push her so much. Plus, she wanted to make her own road, just like the quote above! What a courageous soul. She put me to shame.

We reluctantly agreed to let her make her own road! I was so worried for her, and if she had been my own daughter I would have had a difficult time with this. But, alas, she was an adult and not my daughter! 

Then out of nowhere, Magnus said, "I have a reflective vest we could put on you!" What? Where did that come from? So amazing, that once again the Camino provided, most likely more for me and my peace of mind, rather than for Magdalena!

She agreed to wear the orange vest, not on her person, but around her backpack behind her! She appeased us, yet kept her own independence. Clever girl! The photo below shows her just before she donned the vest as we tried to keep up with her free-wheeling down the highway!

You can see the fountain just ahead of Magdalena, another place for a fill up. 

We had just crested the first high point of the day, and were heading down the hill on the N204 at the decision point. After our sorrowful farewell, we turned left at the fountain, off the highway as directed by the waymarks, first onto the M549 and then in less than 200 meters, we took the first right turn onto a side road, continuing down hill.

We all felt a hole in our hearts, because we were missing Magdalena, yet we did discuss the fact that we all felt relieved that we would not have to assist her through the difficulties that lay ahead. It was a double-edged sword. 

In 200 meters you come to a T-intersection and turn left, rounding a bend, then going straight north towards the next landmark, the Igreja Nossa Senhora de Fátima, shown below. It is a modern church ~ a stark comparison to what we had previously encountered.

The arrows directed us to walk to the east side of the church, shown below. From uphill on the ledge where the church stood, we could see the Tamel train station below, to the east.

The guys were hungry. So was I. There was a café next to the train station below. I looked down and saw the goat track we would have to take to reach the café next to the train station. I didn't want to go, but I wanted to walk another several kilometers to the next café. The guys wanted to go. Argh! I didn't want to have to climb the hill back up to the church. I was pushed. I caved ~ three against one. 

We walked down the hill, crossed the tracks and went to the café. I was grateful for the food and for another cup of strong coffee with milk. We had clocked over 11 kilometers thus far, one-third of the day's walk.

When we finished, I started off early, to get a head start on the hill back up to the church. As it turned out, I could have just stayed on the road and re-joined the Camino farther north, but I didn't know. You can see the route if you zoom in on our map above, at the train station in Tamel. 

And as I now study the map, we all could have avoided the goat track entirely, if we had known to take a right turn at the T-intersection before the church, avoiding the church altogether. This direction would have taken us straight to the train station and past it on the same road, detouring the unattractive church and continuing on the Camino! Now you know!

After climbing back up to the church from the train station, I walked down the stairs on the north side, and by its Cruzeiro, shown left. Then I turned right onto the road to cross the train tracks, taking another immediate right onto the road back towards the train station! It was a joyful walk. I was happy to be back on the road.

The guys saw me ahead and joined me on the road, taking a left hand turn northward, picking up the Rua de São Tiago together, below. Another variation of the name of the road to Santiago. It felt official, because of the name! I wondered how many years it was so! 

The Albergue de Peregrinos Casa de Santiago (+351 914 463 272) is just after the turn onto the Rua de São Tiago, not pictured.

This country Way was beautiful once again.

The Camino manages to stay west of the N204 for this next 1.2 kilometer section. My thoughts often turned to Magdalena, as I wondered how she was doing, breathing a prayer for her safety. I would have preferred to have her with us. She was so young and so brave, yet I couldn't stop myself from feeling how vulnerable she also was! I guess it was just the nurse/mom in me!

The road ends at a T-intersection with the M549-1 and turns to the left near the Café Rosa Cintilante (not shown). With full bellies, we walked on and picked up the first street to the left after about 100 meters, named the Caminho de Santiago, shown below. 

After about 1/3 km we joined the M549 once again for a few steps, then did a hard right onto a secondary paved road, appropriately called the Rua da Ponte das Tábuas, for about one kilometer, then a left turn onto a dirt road leading to the Rio Neiva and the Roman bridge after another 200 meters. The bridge, the Ponte Das Tábuas is near Balugães, and is shown below. This bridge is at approximately 14.4 kilometers into the day and is the elevation low point in the middle of the day.  

Here is Rich posing on the bridge.

The dirt road onward to the next town of Balugães was open and warm!

Entering Balugães, about one kilometer later, we took a left turn at a T-intersection by the gate to the Casas da Quinta da Cancela if your day ends here, about 15.4 kilometers from Barcelos. 

A few steps later we encountered a sign letting us know that it was 18 kilometers to the next albergue in Ponte de Lima. Just behind the sign is a water fountain, not visible in the photo below.

Past the sign, another right turn, and a few meters ahead, after the high wall, below, we crossed the N308.

About 200 meters later, we noted the 180 kilometer countdown waymark, shown below, at a T-intersection with the Rua 25 de Abril, where you take a right hand turn.

Follow the 25 de Abril for about 300 meters, staying right, then left at this fountain, shown below, where you can see a local filling a bottle. 

Farther on when you come to a picnic area at the next intersection, stay straight on, where the road becomes the Rua da Peneda. After a few more meters pass an exercise area with a water fountain and another picnic table.

On the north side of town, walking on the Rua da Peneda, in a few hundred meters, stay to the left, to leave the pavement for a cobblestone road called the Rua de Martinho.

Shortly, pass an old mill on your left, where the cobblestone bends to the right and after a few more meters, you pass by this very old romanesque chapel, the Igreja de São Martinho de Balugães, built in the 12th century, shown below. The Camino purposefully walks the pilgrimage traveler right by these historic monuments! At the church, you are about 16.6 kilometers into day seventeen on the Central Route of the Portuguese Camino. 

Another one hundred meters after the church, the narrow cobblestone street comes to a T-intersection, where the Camino goes left onto pavement. 

The Camino follows this paved road for about 400 meters until the next tiny town of Mó and on its north side picks up a nice lane through some trees and shade for about 200 meters, shown below.

Once out of the trees and into the next town of Combado, continue northward, staying to the right twice, to take a big bend to the east and toward the N204.

Then we reached the N204 once again from the west, and crossed here at this Capela São Sebastião. I smiled at the gaggle of local men hanging out at the crossroads. If I only knew what they were discussing. You are about 17.8 kilometers total at this church and only two kilometers from the famous Casa da Fernanda albergue, if this is your destination for the day.

We continued to meander through the countryside for the next two kilometers, on quiet roads, on the way to the next town of Lugar do Corgo. Walking uphill, two puppies ahead grabbed my attention. As I followed their jaunt up the hill, there at the top, who do I see? Magdalena! At the top of this hill is the Casa da Fernanda on the left, and Magdalena was waiting here. She had beaten us to this albergue, about 19.7 kilometers total for the day, not quite 2/3 of the day’s walk.

Magdalena did not know what to do at this point. She had done well, rolling down the N204, but said she had trouble finding the Camino and the Casa da Fernanda,  (+351 914 589 521 - she has only 10 beds, so call ahead if you want to stay here ~ about 25 Euros for a dormitory bed plus community dinner and breakfast.)  She was wheeling around for about an hour, trying to find it! Oh my!

Magdalena was now frustrated and very tired-looking and hoping to catch a bus to Ponte de Lima. She did not know how to do this, and I realized we must ask a local. It was quite hot outside and we hung around with her, trying to figure it all out. She could not go forward with us - it was a long uphill from here through more difficult terrain. None of the guys were encouraging her to carry on with us. It would have been too much for all of us. 

Then suddenly, out of nowhere came Fernanda, the proprietress of the Casa Fernanda, to save the day! When we asked her about the bus, she confirmed the bus came almost right in front of her house. When she learned that Magdalena wanted to stay with our group, by going forward on the bus to Ponte de Lima, she said, "Why don't you wait here with me at my house? I'll take care of you, see that you get on the bus, and you can join your friends in Ponte de Lima!"

I was so relieved to hear her words, I almost kissed her. I knew instantly that with Fernanda, all would be well. We could continue onward on foot, and Magdalena could still be with us this evening. It was a plan. I hugged Fernanda.

As we were setting off to leave, dear Fernanda said to us, "The Camino is about Love, and Santiago will give you all a special blessing for taking care of Magdalena!" I got goosebumps, realizing that we had just received a special pilgrim's blessing from Fernanda! 

As we walked on, I shared this realization with the three men. They nodded their heads, also in realization. We walked on in silence for some time afterward, absorbing what had just happened. It was a very special moment for us on the Camino. 

After the Casa Fernanda, the Camino turns through the vineyards, and climbs up to the second alto, or high point, in about another 3.5 kilometers, through beautiful countryside as you will see below.

We set off, the three guys and I on easy pavement, followed by dirt road, starting to gain in elevation as we walked toward the next town of Vitorino de Piães. Along the way, in about one more kilometer, there are two establishments to spend the night, the Estabulo de Valinhas, highly recommended by other pilgrims, and the Casa na Quinta de Valinhas. They are hard to miss, as you walk by. 

After about 2.0 kilometers from the Casa Fernanda, as we walked through Vitorino de Piães, the cruzeiro below appeared, in front of the Igreja de Vitorino de Piães, after 22 kilometers for the day.

The Camino turns right here to walk towards and around the church to the north. If you were to continue walking east of the church, you  would come to the Casa Sagres Hostel in only 150 meters, an economical private albergue. 

We have stayed another time at the Casa Sagres when we did not want to do the full stage to Ponte de Lima and it is quite lovely. They have private rooms as well as a dormitory, and will serve you dinner for an extra charge. Breakfast is included and set up for you in the morning. I would highly recommend staying with this wonderfully friendly family in a gorgeous garden setting.

Here is how the Igreja de Vitorino de Piães looked in the early morning as we set off from the Casa Sagres, along the onward Camino to the north of the church.

Back to the prior story, here is the way forward through the town. 

In one kilometer after the church in Vitorino de Piães, the road ends and the Camino turns left here and onto a short, 200 meter section of ancient road, shown below. The road climbs as it follows a stream that is lined with Calla lilies in the spring and the Angel’s Trumpets overhead in the fall, below. I wished this wonderful historic section would have been longer! 

Then it is back onto the N204 again for about 1/4 kilometer, where we passed by the sign letting us know we had just entered the municipality of Facha. It is along this road that the final and second high point of the day is reached, at about 23.3 kilometers total into the day. 

Just after the welcome to Facha sign on the N204, the Camino turns westward at this sign, below onto a dirt road. It is all downhill from here!

We passed by two slower-moving pilgrims from England as we cruised down the hill through the forest. We chatted a bit. I was beginning to tire at about 25 kilometers into the day. 

The road continues downhill, and bends to the right, when we see the inviting open door of the Quinta da Portela Facha with private rooms available (+351 964 257 171), below. It is a beautiful place. Just beyond the door, by the road is an arbor with wisteria vines. It looked so inviting. 

I told the guys that if I were to keep going, then I needed a break! According to the signage we had 10.6 more kilometers to Ponte de Lima from here.

We sat under the arbor, pictured below, next to a babbling irrigation canal and had refreshing oranges from our pack, cheese and chocolate! Perfect food to revive my spirits. 

I texted Magdalena from here. She hadn't yet gotten on the bus. She still had a chance to beat us to Ponte de Lima. 

I was reluctant to leave this fabulous spot, but got up, revived and ready to hit the road again. After not quite 1.5 kilometers on the country dirt road, we joined the pavement of the CM1259, continuing northward. 

There is another quinta you pass by just beyond the Portela, called the Quinta de Albergaria, which is very expensive and requires a five nights' reservation! 

After only a few meters, the Camino leaves the CM1259, to the left onto a country lane once again, called none other than the Caminho de Santiago! 

Shortly onward along this lane you will encounter a water fountain and an attractive  pilgrim’s niche. 

After about one kilometer from the turnoff, this wayside chapel appeared, below right, along the Caminho de Casias, the medieval Capela de São Sebastião. I loved the shrine to Santiago on the opposite side of the street, shown farther below.

If you were to turn right here at this intersection, instead of onward on the Camino, the Quinta São Sebastião is in just over 100 meters and the Casa das Torres, a very intriguing-looking place, in about ½ kilometer, where the side lane meets the N204. 

Within the next 2.0 kilometers the Camino was often made of true blue, real cobblestone, where actual stones were gathered to set into the street instead of pre-manufactured granite setts. It was amazingly quaint! Here is Rich walking on the Rua do Sobreiro. 

Next, you pass by the Quinta do Sobreiro. A few meters onward from this Quinta, the next left, followed by an immediate left, will lead you to the private Albergue O Caminheiro, see above map, if you wish to shorten your day here at 27.5 kilometers total. 

300 meters after the albergue turnoff, we came to and joined the N203 by turning right, then 200 meters more turned left onto another country road in Seara, below left, the Rua do Caminho do Santiago lined with vineyards. The Hotel Residencial Pinheiro Manso is just a few meters to the west (left) on the N203 if you want to call it quits here. 

For over 3.0 kilometers, this Road to Santiago took us through the Portuguese countryside, getting closer to Ponte de Lima. Below are Rich, Magnus and Matt, entering Paço, the next town. 

Walking onward to the next town of Barros in another 1/2 kilometer, the kilometer countdown, on the small brown sign, below says "Ponte de Lima, 1 km." Almost there!

Barros is known for its attractive, small Roman bridge, the Ponte de Barros. This bridge marks 31.3 kilometers into the day thus far. There is also a nice picnic area here by the bridge.

Our wonderfully named street, the Rua Caminho de Santiago finally ends at the bridge and the Way turns to the left and onto the Rua do Topo at this chapel, the Capela Nossa Senhora Das Neves. You are still about 2.5 kilometers away from the albergue in Ponte de Lima at this church, below. 

If you were to go right instead, on the corner is the Casa da Tapada, +351 925 552 582.

The first accommodations you come to as you near the center of town are quite pricey for the pilgrim, including the Casa da Roseira and the InLima Hotel and Spa. Fortunately, there is also the economical Pousada de Juventude.

Continuing onward, the Rua do Topo meets the waterfront of the Lima River in another 1/2 kilometer or so, and we joined this inviting, shady path, below.

As you get closer to Ponte de Lima, the river path becomes the wide and lovely Plátanos pedestrian way as you continue to follow the Lima River. I was grateful for the end of day seventeen on the central route of the Portuguese Camino to be so inviting. I slowed down and savored the treat of walking through here. 

Between the trees along the pedestrian way, we caught sightings of the long medieval bridge, and the church on the opposite side. It was so picturesque and I didn't hesitate to take lots of photos! Here is one of my best, below. 

The municipal Albergue de Peregrinos de Ponte de Lima is adjacent to this church across the river!

And then we were in the center of the city, still walking along the river when we encountered the first medieval tower, the Torre da Cadeia Velha, below. There was an extremely inviting café by the tower and without a moment's hesitation, the three gentlemen walked straight toward it! Ha ha ha. Without hesitation, I followed! We had a wonderful happy hour at the Taberna Cadeia Velha in the shadow of the tower. 

We had beers, and I invited the young ones to join me in the Caldo Verde, the Portuguese version of the delicious, Galician Caldo Gallego, full of greens, and electrolyte-restoring salty chicken broth. It was so nourishing to me after 34.5 kilometers in the hot sun!

While at the Taberna, I contacted Magdalena and she rolled up. We watched the pilgrims, one by one, entering the city. I also heard from Pedro and Jorge, whom we had not seen all day, but agreed to meet up with again at the Taberna, later. 

Just past the first tower is a second, the Torre de São Paulo, shown below with a wonderful scene in blue azulejo tile. 

After our luxuriously long break, we went looking for a hotel. I wanted a good night's sleep after my miserable one at the last albergue. The municipal Albergue de Peregrinos de Ponte de Lima is farther on, across the river, as stated above. It is just across the medieval bridge and just past the church, the Igreja de Santo António da Torre Velha, on the right. 

We ended up staying at the Casa da Vila in a private double room with shared kitchen and living space, in the mid-price range. While we did not cook dinner, we did have a nice breakfast here in the morning to start off our day eighteen well. 

If you also want a reservation in Ponte de Lima click this link. There are so many accommodations from which to choose, check the map above. Some other economic choices are the Old Village Hostel, a bit of a walk east of center, the Casa Cardeal Saraiva, and the Terraço da Vila.

And accross the river near the albergue is the Residencial Retiro Sra. da Luz, a very economical home.

All of the other pilgrims decided to go on to get checked into the albergue. We all met up again later at the Taberna by the tower. We joined a large group collected from the albergue about 1.5 hours later. I didn't drink beer this time as I felt I needed to hydrate more after the long day. With only one beer on this day, I found that I felt better the next.

A group of eight of us went looking for a dinner venue, and chose a pizza and pasta place right along the waterfront, called the Orlandinho Fofinho-Pizzeria Beira Rio.

Here we all are sitting outdoors having dinner. The restaurant provided us all shawls to keep us warm as the evening weather got cooler! Ha, what a picture! We picked up another Camino family member, Borut from Slovenia, on the left. He was a bucket of laughter with his hearty personality that added a lot of vibrancy to our group! And also some more muscle to Team Magdalena!

On the table across, are our Portuguese friends that also joined us for the evening meal. They had a tight schedule to keep, so this would be our last evening together as they would combine the next two day's stages. 

I leave you with the most gorgeous of sights, the medieval bridge of Ponte de Lima at night. We gazed at this wonderful sight, contented and with bellies full, ready for slumber!

Reflections on Day Seventeen, Central Route of the Camino Portugués

This day seventeen was a special day for us, full of special and touching moments! We made our own way, apart from Magdalena for the larger portion of the day. As Rich says, it was time to let the baby bird leave the nest. 

Later Magdalena confessed to me that indeed, when she was wheeling along the highway, many, many cars slowed down and asked her if she needed anything. I am close to tears just writing this down now, as I truly should have known she would be alright! My protectiveness was unnecessary, as the Portuguese human heart was tapped deeply for her, wherever she went! She did not need my help!

I felt less remorse for my feelings of needing a break from the wheelchair routine this afternoon. She was proving, indeed, that she could make her own road. There was a time to be dependent and there was a time for her to be independent. She had shown her true colors. She was capable of so much more that I had given her credit. What a treasure she is!

Salutation

May your own day seventeen on the central route of the Camino Portugués be filled with special moments as you make your own road, whether alone or together with other pilgrims. May you have the courage and persistence of one such as Magdalena! Ultreia!

And the Journey Continues:

~ Lisbon to Porto

~ Porto to Santiago Via the Coastal Route and/or the Sendal Litoral

~ Porto to Santiago Via the Central Route

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Need suggestions on what to pack for your next pilgrimage? Click Here or on the photo below!

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Carbon Trekking Poles

Carbon fiber construction (not aluminum) in a trekking pole makes them ultra lightweight. We like the Z-Pole style from Black Diamond so we can hide our poles in our pack from potential thieves before getting to our albergue! There are many to choose from!  (See more of our gear recommendations! )

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Gregory BackPack - My Favorite Brand

An ultralight backpack should serve you well for years, like my Gregory has - six Caminos in all! My 28L Women's pack gets a 5-star on Amazon (Ones for Guys too)!

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Microfiber Towel Set

Do not forget your quick-dry microfiber towel! 

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