Nearly hitting triple digits on the computer, the route moves away from urban Porto toward the rugged north of Portugal. The track initially covers coastal boardwalks and roads passing the busy fishing ports of Matosinhos. Further north, the massive Santa Clara monastery dominates the horizon above Vila do Conde. After crossing the Cávado River at Esposende, the route tracks through cooler coastal pine forests. A historic landmark waits just outside Viana do Castelo: the landmark iron bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel spanning the Lima River, with the hilltop Santa Luzia sanctuary visible above the town. The final flat kilometres glide past the wild beaches of Vila Praia de Âncora into Caminha on the Minho estuary. Spain sits right across the water.
