Discover the Carmelite Way on foot, exploring some of the most authentic villages, rural landscapes and historic landmarks in central Portugal, from Coimbra to Fátima.
Moderate difficulty:
The Carmelite Way features daily stages ranging from 14 to 23 km, with elevation gains between 203 and 356 m. The route follows dirt paths, rural tracks and some paved sections through fields, olive groves and traditional villages. Although the elevation gains are moderate, a reasonable level of fitness and some experience walking for several hours a day are recommended.
The Carmelite Way offers the chance to discover one of the most authentic routes in central Portugal, combining hiking, historical heritage and rural life among traditional villages, olive groves and vineyards.
Along the way, you will have the opportunity to:
Discover Coimbra, the City of Knowledge, home to one of the oldest universities in the world, the Sé Velha (Old Cathedral), the Joanina Library and the Monastery of Santa Cruz, where the first two kings of Portugal are buried.
Walk from Coimbra through Antanhol and Cernache to Condeixa-a-Nova, known for its manor houses, ceramics and local specialities such as roast lamb and the traditional sweet escarpiada.
Explore the Roman ruins of Conímbriga and discover the legend of Zambujal.
Visit Rabaçal, famous for its traditional cheese, vineyards and ancient olive trees, as well as Germanelo Hill, crowned by an old fortress.
Cross the agricultural plains of Santiago da Guarda and villages such as Granja, home to the Chapel of Our Lady of Orada, the oldest Christian building in the area.
Discover Ansião and its Cal Bridge, associated with a legend about Queen Saint Isabel.
Sample local specialities such as pine nut pastries and lesmas, traditional biscuits made with cinnamon and olive oil.
Walk through landscapes of limestone fields, olive groves, chickpea crops and old watermills.
Follow the historic vineyards of Ourém, inherited from the Cistercian monks.
Explore Ourém, a medieval town with a Gothic fountain and collegiate church, and sample medieval wine and traditional ginjinha (sour cherry liqueur).
Enjoy two dinners at a family home in the Ansião area, an authentic way to experience local cuisine.
Complete the journey in Fátima, visiting its sanctuary, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary and the Chapel of the Apparitions, all associated with the Miracle of the Sun in 1917, after several days walking through central Portugal.
This route is ideal for enjoying the scenery and cultural heritage at a relaxed pace, combining physical activity with historic villages, local delicacies and some of Portugal’s most authentic hidden gems.
The Carmelite Way is one of the pilgrimage routes that form part of the Caminhos de Fátima, a network of trails connecting different parts of Portugal with the Sanctuary of Fátima. Inspired by the life of Sister Lúcia, one of the three shepherd children who witnessed the apparitions of 1917, the route links two key places in her story: the Carmelite convent in Coimbra, where she lived, and Fátima, where she is buried.
Origins and Development
Inspiration: The route draws inspiration from the life and work of Sister Lúcia, who joined the Carmelite Convent of Saint Teresa in Coimbra in 1948 and lived there until her death in 2005.
Design and management: It was designed by the Castelos e Muralhas do Mondego agency and is managed by the Associação Caminhos de Fátima, which incorporates it into its network of waymarked routes.
A relatively new route: It is one of the newest routes in the network, officially presented in 2018 as a journey of spirituality and introspection.
One-way route: Unlike other Caminhos de Fátima routes, it follows a single direction, from Coimbra to Fátima, covering approximately 111 km over six stages.
A Journey Between Two Places of Remembrance
Coimbra: The route begins at the Carmelite Convent of Saint Teresa, next to the memorial dedicated to Sister Lúcia. Visitors can also explore an exhibition about her life.
Fátima: The journey ends at the sanctuary commemorating the 1917 apparitions. Sister Lúcia has been buried in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary since 2006.
Reflections: Along the route, pilgrims encounter reflections and thoughts from Sister Lúcia herself, who is regarded as the first pilgrim of Cova da Iria.
A Region Steeped in History
Landscapes and villages: The route crosses the municipalities of Coimbra, Condeixa-a-Nova, Penela, Ansião, Alvaiázere and Ourém, an area successively inhabited by Romans, Muslims and Christians.
Historical landmarks: Highlights along the way include the Roman ruins of Conímbriga, the Chapel of Our Lady of Orada, the oldest Christian building in the Ansião area, and the historic vineyards of Ourém, inherited from the Cistercian monks.
Before setting off on the Carmelite Way, we recommend having a moderate level of fitness and being comfortable walking for several hours a day. Some stages exceed 20 km and involve elevation gains of up to 350 m, so it is advisable to bring comfortable hiking shoes, sun protection, plenty of water and layered clothing, including a lightweight waterproof jacket in case of changing weather conditions.
Your main luggage is transferred between accommodations, so you only need to carry a light daypack with your essentials during each stage. The route is self-guided and includes a mobile app with maps, GPS tracks and stage descriptions, as well as an initial briefing with a guide, a pilgrim passport and a 24-hour assistance helpline.
Do I need previous hiking experience?
It is not essential, but we recommend being used to walking moderate to long distances over several consecutive days.
Do I have to carry all my luggage during the stages?
No. The package includes the transfer of one piece of luggage per person, weighing up to 15 kg, between accommodations. During each stage, you only need to carry a small backpack of up to 15 litres.
How do I follow the route?
You will have access to a mobile app with maps, GPS tracks and stage descriptions. On the first day in Coimbra, a guide will explain the route during an initial briefing. You can also rent a GPS device as an optional extra.
Is the entire route walked, or are there transfers?
All stages are completed on foot, although some days include car transfers between your accommodation and the starting or finishing point of the stage. For example, after walking from Condeixa-a-Nova to Rabaçal, you will be transferred back to Condeixa-a-Nova for the night. The following morning, you will return to Rabaçal to continue the route.
What type of accommodation is included?
The package includes accommodation in 2-, 3- and 4-star hotels or similar establishments, with breakfast. Two dinners at a family home in the Ansião area are also included.
What is the pilgrim passport?
It is a small document that serves as a memento of your journey along the route and is included in the package. You can keep it as a souvenir, whether or not you have a religious motivation for travelling.
Is assistance available during the trip?
Yes. The package includes a 24-hour assistance helpline, as well as personal accident insurance.
Can I travel solo?
Yes. However, specific supplements apply for single rooms and solo travellers.
Can I add extra nights?
Yes. Additional nights in Coimbra and Fátima can be arranged on request, subject to availability.
Are airport transfers included?
No. Optional private transfers can be arranged from Lisbon and Porto airports to Coimbra, and from Fátima to Lisbon or Porto. You can also request guided tours of Coimbra or a guided excursion to Aveiro.
Can I do the route in August?
No. According to the information provided by the local supplier, August is a departure-free period, as is the period from 5 to 15 May. Departures take place on weekdays.
Diseñaremos un itinerario a medida de tus necesidades, preferencias y presupuesto y reservaremos todos los servicios por ti. Tú disfruta del camino.
Galicia es nuestra casa. Hemos recorrido todas las rutas del Camino y tenemos contacto directo con los proveedores de servicios en El Camino.
Hablamos varios idiomas, hemos vivido en el extranjero y contamos con años de experiencia organizando viajes para personas de todo el mundo.
Cientos de peregrinos repiten año tras año la experiencia de viajar con nosotras. Queremos que tú seas uno de ellos. Y por ello nos esforzaremos para que tu viaje sea único e inolvidable.
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