Caminha: opposition accuses municipality of neglecting the Coastal Route
The Portuguese Coastal Way, which crosses the municipality of Caminha towards Santiago de Compostela, is being neglected by the local council, according to opposition councillor Liliana Silva. A lack of maintenance, scarce signage, and the absence of a promotional strategy are driving pilgrims away, with many opting for the Spanish route, where promotional efforts are more evident. This situation has created difficulties for tourism operators who have invested in the Portuguese route between Caminha and Valença.
At the latest council meeting, Liliana Silva stressed the need for greater attention to a sector that saw over 50,000 pilgrims pass through last year, generating more than 16 million euros in economic returns. She pointed out that, unlike in Galicia, there is no defined strategy to promote the route in the municipality. As an example, she highlighted the limited information on the council’s website, where the Portuguese Coastal Way is briefly mentioned without emphasis on its official certification since 2022. Additionally, she argued that the council should encourage pilgrims to continue towards Valença rather than facilitating crossings into Spain.
Another criticism was the lack of clarity regarding the municipality’s role in the Xacobeo Transfer project, a boat service transporting pilgrims across the river. According to Liliana Silva, it is the municipality’s responsibility to establish a strategy that strengthens the Portuguese route, allowing walkers to explore the area between Âncora and Lanhelas.
In response, Mayor Rui Lages assured that the Camino de Santiago is a strategic priority for the municipality and pointed to the certification of the Portuguese Coastal Way as proof of this commitment. However, he acknowledged some difficulties with signage, attributing part of the problem to unofficial markings placed by local agents. The council has been working to address this issue and maintains that the official route in the municipality runs through Âncora and Lanhelas.
Regarding the river crossing into Spain, Rui Lages clarified that the council has no agreements with maritime operators, which function independently without municipal licensing. However, he stated that the council is working with the Caminha Port Authority to organise the service and create a designated space for its operation.
Despite opposition criticism, the municipal executive reaffirms the importance of the Camino de Santiago for the local economy and its intention to continue promoting it.
Source: O Caminhense
