The Portuguese Federation of the Camino de Santiago asked pilgrims to temporarily suspend their stages on foot and by bicycle during the weather alert on November 11, 2026. This Thursday, November 12, it is advisable to check the conditions of each section before resuming the walk after the passage of the Charles depression.
In a statement dated November 10, the Federation recommended remaining in the accommodation during the alert period and waiting for the authorities to consider security conditions restored. The appeal was aimed at both walkers and cyclists.
The national alert of November 11
The Portuguese Government declared an alert situation for the entire continental territory between 00:00 and 23:59 on Wednesday the 11th. The forecasts contemplated intense rains and wind gusts of up to 120 kilometers per hour, with the possibility of higher values in localized situations.
Among the exceptional measures were the suspension of outdoor events and access restrictions to wooded, coastal and flood-prone areas identified by the authorities. The Federation's recommendation to interrupt pilgrimages was framed in that context.
The initial declaration has ended, but that does not prove that all roads are passable. Nor should the statement of the 10th be interpreted as a new general suspension order for the 12th.
The risks do not disappear when it stops raining
The Portuguese National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority recorded 1,630 incidents as of 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, including 881 floods and 203 tree falls. The balance indicated Greater Lisbon, the Setúbal peninsula and the Algarve among the most affected areas.
These data correspond to the whole of continental Portugal, not exclusively to the Jacobean itineraries. They do not allow us to affirm that a specific stage is closed or open.
A fallen tree can block a path, while a swollen stream can turn a common path into a dangerous place. Conditions can vary greatly between municipalities, especially on rural routes and areas near rivers or the coast.
What to do before leaving the hostel
The Federation insists on caution and following official instructions. For those who plan to walk or pedal, these are the fundamental recommendations:
- Consult the notices of the IPMA and of Civil defense before starting the stage.
- Ask the accommodation and local authorities about the status of the route and possible restrictions.
- Do not cross flooded areas, swollen riverbeds or terrain with signs of instability.
- Avoid wooded or exposed areas when there is a risk of falling branches, and respect coastal restrictions.
- Keep your phone charged and carry an external battery if possible.
- In case of emergency, call 112.
If it cannot be confirmed that a section is safe, it is prudent to postpone the stage. For cyclists, side wind and water accumulated on the road are additional risks. It is not advisable to improvise detours along unknown paths.
A decision that is also part of the Camino
Hostels and Jacobean associations can help pilgrims reorganize their stages. Notifying the next accommodation if your arrival is delayed allows you to adapt your planning without taking unnecessary risks.
At RTV we recommend following the updated official information, because we do not have an individual verification of all the Portuguese sections after the storm.
The Camino will still be there tomorrow. No stage is worth putting our lives at risk.
File Photography: Rocco Rossi, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0, resized. It does not correspond to the storm in Portugal.
Sources: Portuguese Federation of the Camino de Santiago, statement dated November 10, 2026; Government of Portugal; Civil defense.
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