You’ll feel this day in your legs, but mostly in your head. It’s the first stage, the rucksack still sits oddly on your shoulders and your body doesn’t yet know what’s coming. Coimbra falls behind you. Then the path climbs, descends, and climbs again.
Officially, the route only starts in Viseu. What you’re walking here is the lead-in: not part of the route itself, but walked by many pilgrims all the same. The steepest section comes right at the start, a good 300 metres uphill within five kilometres. Take your time and walk at your own pace. Penacova sits high above the Mondego. You’ll arrive tired, and content.
The first day is done, and the rest will follow naturally.