31 October 2016 – Benidoleig Circular

We had an excellent turnout for this new walk, in fact all 15 members (including Paul behind the camera – as usual)

This is a new walk for the group, and looks like it is a newly created walk.  It is very well signposted and the route very well defined

The signs and hand rails look quite new and are a pleasant, if unusual, feature of the walk.   In fact it reminded us of a well designed walk in the UK, rather than the usual “cobbled together” walks we are more used to.

Pat was introduced to this walk by the CBMW and quite rightly thought it would be very suitable for our Monday group

It is a relatively short walk at just over 11km, but includes some steep climbing with 460 metre ascent.   It took us four and a half hours to complete

There are frequent explanation boards along the track, but unfortunately not in English.   However Jackie and Sylvia accepted the translation challenge

There are also frequent viewpoints to break up the walking

It was dry and overcast today, with only a little sun, so it was ideal walking weather

Just as well because there was quite a lot of gradual ascent, as well as two steep road climbs

With such a large group we needed a longer than usual wall for our banana stop

Though Mike preferred a little solitude

Just before lunch we passed through an urbanisation and entered the woods again.   This part looked familiar and reminded me of a different circular walk from Benidoleig which we last did in 2007

When we reached our lunch spot I recognised the abandoned finca from that previous walk.   We had last eaten our sandwiches here in December 2007

In fact we had sat on these same rocks, where Jan and Wendy seem to be having an animated conversation

Peter looks like he is less than pleased with his lunch

And Jan appears to be having some success in pushing over a tree

The finca had not been renovated, but the area had been cleaned up and rustic seating provided.   Health and Safety had not been a serious consideration, as this open and very deep well confirmed.

Ken discovered what appeared to be part of a mountain cycle circuit.  If so it was a six foot drop of this jump!

Another view point, this time with a map of the surrounding area naming villages and hills….

……and providing this lovely view of Segaria and the coast beyond

This was an excellent walk, much better than the one we had done so many years ago, and one I am sure that we will do again

Monday 7 November 2016

Fig Tree walk.   Meet on the Benichembla to Castells road at the lay-by just after the 30 milometer sign.   Cross the bridge and park on the left.