Taking in Fatima
Camino Nascente and Carmelita
Whilst walking the Camino Portugues from Lisbon to Porto in 2023, I had the choice of following the Portuguese who walked from Lisbon to Fatima or follow the Camino which bypassed Fatima, but instead passed through Tomar, a town I really wanted to visit. I compromised and followed the Camino to Tomar, and then went west towards Fatima on the Camino Nascente.
I spent a day in Fatima before walking along the Camino Carmelita towards Coimbra, where I was back on the Camino Portugues. Due to the day spent in Fatima, I took a taxi to Freixiande and walked from there to Ansiao – which is already back on the Camino Portugues.
During February 2025, I walked all the stages between Sagres and Rome, that I had now walked, and therefore returned to we walk between Fatima and Freixiande. Due to logistics, I actually walked to Fatima from Freixiande.
Both the Nascente and Carmelita are extremely pleasant and picturesque walks.
It should be noted that some pilgrims walked Lisbon-Fatima-Tomar-Ansiao, whilst I walked Lisbon-Tomar-Fatima-Ansiao.
Day 11: Tomar 
February 14, 2023 Today was a planned day off from walking. Tomar was famous for it's knights, and the Knights Templar Castle, as well as the convent, Convento de Cristo. However there were also more pressing things to do, wash my clothes and pick up something to help the blister under my foot. I slept until 8 o’clock,… Read more >
Day 12: Tomar to Fatima February 15, 2023 I was looking forward to today, but the blister on the sole of my foot was a concern given that the stage was probably the most strenuous I would walk this time around, with lots of climbs and descents, and many rocky paths. This stage is also called the Camino Nascente, and covers 31 kms… Read more >
Day 13: Fatima February 16, 2023 Today was supposed to be a short stage, 20 kilometers, and for the first 5 kilometers, a repetition of yesterdays stage. Following yesterday's tough stage I decided that I would instead, stay in Fatima and visit the Sanctuary of Fátima. The city is the site of a world-renowned Catholic miracle and is visited by more… Read more >
Day 14: Fatima – Freixiande to Ansiao February 17, 2023 After the rest day yesterday exploring Fatima, I hoped the my feet and right calf would hold up to 26km. I skipped the first 20 km of Rota Carmelita (between Fatima and Coimbra), when I took a rest day yesterday and today I added 6 more kilometers by taking a taxi to Freixiande. After the… Read more >
Day 15: Ansiao to Condeixa-a-Nova February 18, 2023 Another 30 kilometer plus day ahead and I woke up feeling a bit rough - not sure whether it is the wine or all the food. Breakfast didn’t live up to the high standard set by the room and I was on the road just before 9 o’clock, feet and legs not in total agreement… Read more >
Day 16: Condeixa-a-Nova to Coimbra February 19, 2023 Despite ten hours sleep, I was tired and just as importantly my legs were tired. Today was a short stage, 18 kms to Coimbra, but it was a hard to get through them. It wasn't helped by being the most boring stage so far, walking along roads. The stage picked up a bit towards the… Read more >
Day 113: Freixianda to Fatima February 20, 2025 Today was always going to be a hit or miss day. I needed to take a taxi ca. 30km to the start point, I needed to walk 32 kilometers, that turned out to be 35km in a hilly terrain and there was a bus to catch at 16.30. Breakfast was at 8am, and the hotel… Read more >