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Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Hiking a Soller Circuit

It didn't occur to us to come to Mallorca until the week before we were flying to Spain! And we didn't decide to base ourselves in Soller until a few days ago. We only cobbled together this program the day before since the weather was not so good. What a great day of hiking it was!

First, we walked, in the rain, on the road from Soller to Biniaraix, to catch the old road up the gorge. What a beautiful gorge! At the top of the gorge we had to do a waterfall crossing without a proper bridge, before connecting with GR221 back down the gorge. We didn't see anyone on the old road going up; on the way down we counted a few hundred people going up and down! The scenic gorge is deservedly popular. We got the particulars of the route from this website and their other programs look good too.

Then we walked on the road from Biniaraix to Fornalutz, to head up to the Mirador Ses Barques, before returning back to Soller. While these trails were not nearly as popular as the GR221 through the Barranc de Biniaraix, there were hikers all over the place, to our amazement. Now we really appreciate how and why Soller is a hiking mecca of Mallorca. It just took us a while to catch on.

Sun-Ling (right) and I board our flight from Valencia to Palma, Majorca. Valencia Airport (VLC) - Valencia, Spain

You can tap your personal credit or debit card to pay for most bus and train trips in Majorca. No need to buy a transit card and put money on it. How cool is that? On the Bus to Sóller, Majorca, Spain

The main plaza in Soller with church, cafe umbrellas, and tram tracks. Sóller, Majorca, Spain

Starting our hike in Biniaraix under rainy skies. Walking on the Old Road - Biniaraix, Soller, Majorca, Spain

Looking back to Soller which is surounded by olive and orange groves. Walking on the Old Road - Biniaraix, Soller, Majorca, Spain

Part of the hike was on the nicely maintained GR221. Walking on the Old Road - Biniaraix, Soller, Majorca, Spain

Looking across the gorge to the switchbacks of the GR221 trail. Walking on the Old Road - Biniaraix, Soller, Majorca, Spain

Still raining as we head up through the terraces. Walking on the Old Road - Biniaraix, Soller, Majorca, Spain

View to a waterfall across the gorge. Waterfall - Walking on the Old Road - Biniaraix, Soller, Majorca, Spain

I'm a bit soaked after several hours walking in the rain, but I did NOT fall in the creek! John Is All Wet - Walking on the Old Road - Biniaraix, Soller, Majorca, Spain

The sun comes out and all is well on the GR221 as we head to Fornalutx. Walking on the Old Road - Biniaraix, Soller, Majorca, Spain

Sun-Ling spotted a pitcher plant along the trail. Carnivorous  Plant - Walking the GR221 Dry Stone Route - near Soller, Majorca, Spain

Walking through the narrowest part of the gorge. Walking the GR221 Dry Stone Route - near Soller, Majorca, Spain Walking the GR221 Dry Stone Route - near Soller, Majorca, Spain

A group of hikers goes by us. Walking the GR221 Dry Stone Route - near Soller, Majorca, Spain Walking the GR221 Dry Stone Route - near Soller, Majorca, Spain

The boss of Fornalutz. Barnyard Boss - Fornalutx, Majorca, Spain

Walking up from Fornalutz to Mirador Ses Barques. Walking from Fornalutx to Soller, Majorca, Spain

View to Soller Port from Mirador Ses Barques. View to Soller Port - Walking from Fornalutx to Soller, Majorca, Spain

Heading downhill through the terraced olive groves to Soller. Walking from Fornalutx to Soller, Majorca, Spain Walking from Fornalutx to Soller, Majorca, Spain Walking from Fornalutx to Soller, Majorca, Spain

Almost back to Soller; the church is in view. View to Soller - Walking from Fornalutx to Soller, Majorca, Spain







4 comments:

JayC said...

Michael (our son) and I are headed to Mallorca (Playa de Muro) for some cycling on April 15th. It's the cycling Mecca as well!!

john said...

Hey Jay! Although the blog is in Soller, in real time we are in Alcludia Port, which is not that far from Playa de Muro. It did not take us long after arriving in Palma to figure out that Majorca is a cycling Mecca - stay tuned. -john

WQZ said...

So beautiful I want to go

Sun-Ling said...

@WQ, I'll come along too :D

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