Walking Route Updates
The world is continually changing so it should be no
surprise that once we've finished researching a route, written up the
walk descriptions, designed the book ready to print, waited for the
printers to deliver, and then finally a new Walk! book arrives; it is
almost inevitable that someone has changed something. Updates to the
routes in Walk! books are thankfully few because our authors are
encouraged to use established routes meaning that our routes stay
current longer, unlike some walking writers who seem determined to
trespass on private ground.
Updates are incorporated into new editions of our Walk! books. Between
editions we keep our client family updated through our eNews and
Newsletters plus posting the Walking Route Updates here on our website.
Updates current at July 2007; Tenerife,
Menorca, Sierra de Aracena, South Downs, Mallorca North & Mountains.
GPS users see 'Solving
Track Truncated reports when loading Track Files from PNFs CD'.
Tenerife back to Walk! Tenerife
Walks 33 & 34 Paisaje Lunar:-
Precis of Colin's experience
Following your email reply regarding the track barrier we followed a car
down the track for the 6.5km and parked up. When we returned (thoroughly
enjoyed the walk) to our car we saw a green piece of paper stuck under
our windscreen wiper and on all the other cars there, about 10 in total.
The form was all in Spanish. Our receptionist said it was 'Parking
Penalty Notice' issued by the 'Environmental Police(!)' and the local
police said the notice had the same authority as if they had issued it
and the process would be for the actual penalty notice to be sent to the
registered car owner. I would guess all the cars there were hire cars.
Again the receptionist did try to ring 922 47 62 00 'Consejeria De Medio
Ambiente' but they had gone home for the weekend.
We decided that there was nothing we could do so left it until we
returned the car. The car hire (Orlando) guy had not seen the form
before and was really interested in taking any details from me. He just
went on about 'mad policemen'.
So, we thought we would alert you to the problem which could/would
affect other avid followers of your guide books. It might be worth you
investigating and putting out an alert through your Newsletter/website.
DWG temporary solution;
You can continue along the track and down to cross the black picon
Barranco de las Aguas. At the next junction turn left up to the Camping
Madre Agua where there is an official, if small, car park. This is part
of Walk 33's route so you simply start in a separate place and should be
safe from the Medio Ambiente police!
In 'Bumping Round Tenerife' I will be giving the detailed walk
description for a new route from the Parador - Guajara Pass - Paisaje
Lunar - Vilaflor using the Titsa bus service for access; allow 6 hours
for a great day out but don't miss the 18.15 bus from Vilaflor - its the
last one! 'Bumping Round Tenerife' published by Instant-Books approx
November 2007.
Walk 39 Cruz del Carmen Circular
A slight misprint on page 154 where we should be returning to waypoint
10, not 12 as in the text. Its very obvious on the ground and map, but
our apologies for the misprint.
Walk 42 Ensillada Recreation Area - Chamorga
If you are looking for a circular alternative based on Chamorga then you
can park on the roadside, at the start of the village by the ermita, to
take the trail on the south side of the watercourse which after the
cultivated plots climbs steeply up through the trees to join our main
route on the saddle at waypoint 14. Its a stiff climb but thanks to Alan
Lakin we now know that the trail is on the south of the watercourse,
approximately where the red P symbol is on the map, and not on the north
as shown on our map!
Menorca
back to Walk!
Menorca
Walk 25 Forts Ancient & Modern
Lluc al Lari fort, from Civil War times, continues in controversy.
Abandoned when we first discovered it, it was not shown on military
mapping, it was then occupied by hippies who painted the massive guns
into 'Mash' style sculptures - not an improvement in my opinion. When
the local town hall proposed making the hippies official residents, the
voters were unimpressed and the issue was resolved when the Spanish
military reoccupied the fort, barring access to all non-military
personnel. Latest news is that the military have moved out again so we
once again have access to this impressive cliff-top fort.
Walk 9 Coastal Discovery
How pleasing to report the opening of new walking paths though here the
new path causes a little confusion as it parallels our route on the
seaward side and is officially signed. Basically you can follow the
Walk! Menorca route or the 'official' route, or even walk a sort of
circular/oblong route for 'there and back'; both routes are very
straightforward.
Walk 21 Cala Macarella is becoming one of Menorca's most popular walking
routes thanks to more signing and wayposts, including short diversions
to mirador viewpoints at the top of the cliffs. For our three start
alternatives they all come together at the 'fire warning' sign, bit this
is facing away from you so you'll see the blank back of the sign first.
On the Short and Energetic start the fallen tree has been cleared
Walk 37 Cala Pregonda
Binimel La and its beach area have been reorganised so that parking is
now only available on the massively wide dirt track, hardly a hardship,
and no vehicle access to the old parking area.
The crude gate at waypoint 4 has now been replaced by stone-built steps
giving access through the wall.
Walk 28 Migjorn Gran to Sant Tomas. Our route has two finish options but we have reports that the Eastern route, waypoints E1-3, now faces locked gates requiring wall climbing assisted by piles of stones. For an easy stroll stick with the western route finishing outside Sol Menorca Hotel - our base when on the island!
Sierra de
Aracena
back to Sierra de Aracena
Walk 9 Alajares - Linares de la Sierra
Now re-routed to be a Alajares - Madroņeros - Alajares circular.
Our original route has been blocked off just before Wp. 20, so no chance
of crossing the noisome stream or of continuing up the bramble tunnel
towards Linares. The authorities have signed a new route, following our
wpts. 9 to 19 then swinging left (NW) to follow the track shown on the
map to eventually rejoin our outward route at Wp. 9. Thanks to Keith M
for the update.
Meson Arrieros in Linares de la Sierra is a great restaurant according
to James H, who also recommends Finca Buenvino as the place to stay
though at the pricey end of the market. Hostal Venecia in Galaroza was
found to be derelict by Dave K in November 2006 along with Aurora
Pension in Jabugo. Note this is in November outside of the normal hiking
season so these might be seasonal closures. In all cases do phone ahead
for accommodation when hiking from place to place, even if only to check
they are open.
Liz H recommends using the local buses, timetables available on the
Autocares Casal web site, for making longer linear routes such as Alajar
to Almonaster and Alajar to Aracena. Service is rather infrequent but
timely and useful
Alan L combined Walks 6 and 7 by turning right at Wp.10 on Walk 6,
though I think Alan means Wp.9 according to the map, to take the track
over the Sierra de Picachanes: spectacular views before dropping down to
join Walk 7 at Wp.10. You can use this track to make both Walks 6 & 7
into circular routes from either direction.
Alan also recommends a 'delightful' route from Navahermosa to Valdelarco
following the dirt track shown on the map. Plenty of car parking at
Talenque recreation area and a bar at Valdelarco, plus you could turn
this into a longer circular using the tracks shown on the map.
Walk! the South
Downs
back to
Walk! the South Downs
thanks to Roy and Sue for this one.
We think that your Guide book on the South Downs is excellent. Walk 31
is supposed to start at the Newburgh Arms Pub, The pub closed and is now
a private house. As a first time visitor to the village, it would be
difficult to see where the Pub was located. Another problem at the start
of the walk is that at the other side of the play park, the left turn up
the tree lined farm track, has been cut off by the farmer with an
electric fence [this may have been because the field was full of new
born lambs]. However we restarted the walk by going up Mill Lane &
joining the wood as indicated.
Walk! Mallorca
North & Mountains back to
Mallorca
Walks 1, 7 & 8 for anyone walking near Can Prohom.
For once we have a new path from off the C-710 just north on Can Prohom
running from Son Bleda via Sa Bleda and Son Sales to meet the path that
runs along from the abandoned Rocamar Hotel SSE to the car access over
the tram lines and then just past that point the new path joins. A good
path for mixing with current routes to produce alternative routes,
especially if you are based in Puerto Soller.
Thanks for the gps track file which gives the start point on the C-710
as 39 46.417N
2 40.634E and joining the Rocamar path at 39 46.930N 2 41.927E.
Walk 6 Waypoint 13 error
Proof reading waypoint lists is a task we and our authors dread.
Somewhere in all those columns of figures there just might be an error
but it is all too easy to miss. Exactly the case with waypoint 13 which
should read 2.38.0334 E and not 2.37.0334 as in the book. Thanks Ian &
Elly A.
Massanella currently Walk 27
Thanks to Simon B for reporting that a newly engineered path ascending
Massanella from Lluc with approx start point 2.52E, 39.49N; part of the
GR 21 works. This would avoid the current 'pay' entrance and Charles'
rather devious ' non pay' alternative.
When we move on to the next edition we hope to have the GR 21 as a long
distance route all the way from Andraitx - Soller - Lluc - Pollenca.
Walk 32 Binifaldo - Pollensa thanks to David G and Ian & Elly A.
Whew at last!
A new walking path has been opened that cuts out most of the long road
section as we approach Soller. When we reach the main road at K 5.3, now
renumbered to MA-10, at Las Creus cross the bridge and immediately take
the waymarked track to the right. The shady path is a welcome contrast
compared to the previous road walking though we do touch the main road
again at K 4.9 where we follow a new signpost down the Cami de Can
towards Llobera a la Torreta. A stile precedes a short stretch running
along the top of a broad stone wall, then its back alongside the stream
including an unusual 'tree branch' ladder opposite Can Serra. We come
back onto the main road at K 3.5 to walk along to waypoint 6 where our
usual route leaves the main road behind for its entrance to Soller.
Plans are in hand for cutting out even this piece of road walking with a
new path alongside the torrent which then links up with our route at the
track junction just after waypoint 6.
Walk 34 L'Havanor thanks to Allan B
There is a notice board erected beside the path immediately after the
lower dam stating that the access restrictions are now from 1 February
to 30 June; it appears that some walking groups are ignoring this
restriction which could endanger the route as local public opinion is
very much for the Black Vulture.