Less well-known than the French Way of Saint James, the Portuguese Way (Via Lusitana) is no less rich in the history and traditions of pilgrimage. The Portuguese Way offers an alternative full of magic and adventure, and brings you to Santiago de Compostela by way of Portugal and Spain (Galicia). Your starting point is Ponte de Lima, which is not only the oldest town in Portugal, but also the meeting point of historic pilgrimage routes coming from southern and central Portugal.
The Lusitana offers you a wide variety of interesting walking, with beautiful paths, pretty villages and luxuriant vegetation. Most of your walking is done on footpaths or narrow roads. The countryside around you features forests of eucalyptus, pine and oak and many vineyards. The paths you follow range from sandy tracks through ancient Roman roads, farm tracks and small country roads. Your holiday will combine history and tradition with beautiful rolling countryside, unspoilt woodland and luscious bunches of grapes if the season is right. Apart from the first Spanish section of the walk, every aspect of the journey to Santiago is pure pleasure.