The line is OpenStreetMap's mapping of the route (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), via Waymarked Trails, with heights from a 30 m terrain model. Check the current official route before a long trip: diversions and permitted paths change. See the source.
The trail
The Central Portuguese Way from Lisbon cathedral by Santarém, Tomar, Coimbra and Porto, crossing into Spain at Tui; walked continuously with a stamped credential, it earns the Compostela.
Stages
A suggested split into 25 days of about 25 km (15 mi). Each day ends at the town or village on the way nearest to an equal share of the distance, or at a hotel or hostel where there is none. These are not the official stages: check where you can stay before you book.
- Day 1 Lisbon to Vila Franca de Xira 41 km · 41 km from the start
- Day 2 Vila Franca de Xira to Azambuja 19.9 km · 61 km from the start
- Day 3 Azambuja to Santarém 32 km · 93 km from the start
- Day 4 Santarém to Golegã 32 km · 125 km from the start
- Day 5 Golegã to Tomar 30 km · 155 km from the start
- Day 6 Tomar to Alvaiázere 32 km · 187 km from the start
- Day 7 Alvaiázere to Alvorge 23 km · 210 km from the start
- Day 8 Alvorge to Cernache 25 km · 235 km from the start
- Day 9 Cernache to Coimbra 11.9 km · 247 km from the start
- Day 10 Coimbra to Sernadelo 25 km · 272 km from the start
- Day 11 Sernadelo to Águeda 24 km · 296 km from the start
- Day 12 Águeda to Albergaria-a-Velha 15.5 km · 311 km from the start
- Day 13 Albergaria-a-Velha to São João da Madeira 29 km · 341 km from the start
- Day 14 São João da Madeira to Grijó 18.8 km · 359 km from the start
- Day 15 Grijó to Porto 16.1 km · 375 km from the start
- Day 16 Porto to Vilarinho 26 km · 401 km from the start
- Day 17 Vilarinho to Barcelos 27 km · 428 km from the start
- Day 18 Barcelos to Ponte de Lima 34 km · 462 km from the start
- Day 19 Ponte de Lima to Rubiães 17.6 km · 479 km from the start
- Day 20 Rubiães to Tui 20 km · 500 km from the start
- Day 21 Tui to Redondela 33 km · 533 km from the start
- Day 22 Redondela to Pontevedra 20 km · 553 km from the start
- Day 23 Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis 21 km · 574 km from the start
- Day 24 Caldas de Reis to Padrón 18.7 km · 592 km from the start
- Day 25 Padrón to Santiago de Compostela 25 km · 617 km from the start
Start and finish
Start: near Lisbon. 38.70984, -9.13343
Finish: near Santiago de Compostela, Santiago. 42.88020, -8.54544
Places to stay
Rooms in the towns and villages along the way:
- Lisbon · The start Booking.com → Expedia →
- Vila Franca de Xira, Lisbon · After day 1 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Azambuja, Lisbon · After day 2 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Santarém · After day 3 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Golegã, Santarém · After day 4 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Tomar, Santarém · After day 5 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Alvaiázere, Leiria · After day 6 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Alvorge, Leiria · After day 7 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Cernache, Coimbra · After day 8 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Coimbra · After day 9 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Sernadelo, Aveiro · After day 10 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Águeda, Aveiro · After day 11 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Albergaria-a-Velha, Aveiro · After day 12 Booking.com → Expedia →
- São João da Madeira, Aveiro · After day 13 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Grijó, Porto · After day 14 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Porto · After day 15 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Vilarinho, Porto · After day 16 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Barcelos, Braga · After day 17 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Ponte de Lima, Viana do Castelo · After day 18 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Rubiães, Viana do Castelo · After day 19 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Tui, O Baixo Miño · After day 20 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Redondela, Vigo · After day 21 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Pontevedra, Galicia · After day 22 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Caldas de Reis, Caldas · After day 23 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Padrón, O Sar · After day 24 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Santiago de Compostela, Santiago · The finish Booking.com → Expedia →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line comes from the source named under the map and the heights from a terrain model, so treat the figures as a guide. Check for diversions before you go, take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.
