I’m off on pilgrimage to Santiago again. This time from Lisbon, Portugal. I’ll be covering about 400 miles over 34 days.
For the first half of my walk, I’ll be alone, but when I reach the halfway point in Porto, I’ll be joined by 5 friends that I met on my first Camino two years ago.
I head to Lisbon tonight, and will start walking soon after I arrive there tomorrow. I’ll start blogging then. No promises of cow videos.
The Pilgrims
Originally, the plan was for 10 of the folks in the photo below to meet in Porto and walk to Santiago together. Unfortunately, several people (Katie, Kristi, Matt and Christine) had to cancel due to conflicts.
They’re all dead to us.
Those that will be walking are circled below.
The Route
In 2022, I walked from the blue dot (Le Puy, France) to the green dot (Santiago de Compostela, Spain). In 2023, I walked part of that same route with my sisters.
This year, I’ll walk from the red dot (Lisbon, Portugal) to the green dot (SdC). This is called the “Camino Português” and is the second most popular Camino route.
The Gear
This year, my pack weighs in at about 18 pounds, which is about the same it weighed the past two years.
The Stages
My specific route can be found in the table below. Ideally, I like to walk about 12-15 miles per day with a rest day sprinkled in every week or so.
- Blue = Rest Day (Less thanks 6.2 miles / 10 kilometers)
- Green = Short Day (Less than 12.5 miles / 20 kilometers)
- Yellow = Medium Day (Less than 15.5 miles / 25 kilometers)
- Orange = Long Day (More than 15.5 miles / 25 kilometers)
Bonus Pilgrimage: Fátima
By diverting a bit off the standard route for a couple of days, I can visit another traditional pilgrimage site… Fátima. I’ll share more about this site in a few days when I arrive there.
Bill on the Camino 
Looking forward to your travels. When you get to Fatima remembe to crawl up to the alter. If you are crawling does that make it a rest day?
Will do. I crawl most days .😀
Bill,
I met you 2 years ago at the shell ceremony with the SE Michigan Camino chapter.
I am actually flying to Paris on the 29th to do the Camino del Norte (which surprisingly, is not on the map you posted), starting on September 01 from Bayonne, France. I am planning on doing it in about 35 days.
When in Porto, (if you haven’t been), try a sandwich called Francesinha at Cafe Santiago, and wash it down with a Super Brock beer.
Bom Caminho!
I remember you well! The Norte should be wonderful. I hope to that someday. Too bad we’ll just miss each other in Santiago. I’ll have a Francesinha, for sure! Buon Camino!
This is awesome, you are my hero. Walk on, brother.
You are my hero as well. I hope you are well and there is a Camino in your future.
Enjoy your travels Bill. Looking forward to your posts.
So excited to be a silent compani
This is so awesome, Bill! Glad you are back on “the trail” and looking forward to following along on your adventures again! And thanks for keeping me in the loop! Best, Renee
Wow you are doing it again!!! Good luck 🍀I’ll pray for you all.
This is great! Enjoy the country.
Love Portugal, enjoy and stay safe!
I look forward to following your daily blogs. I plan to walk half of the northern Camino in Spring 2025, so I will be looking for tips and lessons learned. Safe travels.
Great. I think you’ll love it. Reach out to me when you start planning. I’m available at umich email.
Bill, you’ll give retirement a bad name if you don’t sit down and rest at some point. I hope you have some gas left for when us youngsters want to catch up to you on the trail! Have a great trip! I’ll enjoy watching from the cheap seats.
Would love to walk with you sometime, but I don’t think Europe is up for both of us at the same time!
Hey!
My email is working this morning. So odd that you were on my mind
yesterday…..maybe I have ESP powers.
Anyway,good, luck,may the wind be at your back, and no downpours on your
head. Will Shirley be meeting you in Spain to travel?
Peg
Shirley has some plans in Michigan so no meet-up here. Maybe next time.
Next Time? Already planning?
Hope your day 1 went well.
Enjoy your dinner, and rest.
~Peg
Always planning.
Awesome! I’ll be paying close attention because this is the route I’d like to walk someday.
I’ll let you know how it goes. I didn’t see any other pilgrims today but I started late. I think most people start in Porto.
looks like a great walk. Have a ball!
love following your Camino escapades! Wish I were younger (and in better shape) to take on the Camino. I’ll settle for living vicariously through your travels. Stay safe! Have fun
You could do it!!!