Hillwalkers Ramblers Flâneurs

[BrummieDave]

Clitheroekid, Ibiza is a wonderful place to walk and I hope you get ideas from my following notes. In fact, one of my all time favourite walks is in Ibiza and I cannot recommend it highly enough if you are ever in that part of the island. It's the walk from Santa Eulalia, south along the coast, to Cala Llonga. So all the more surprising that I love it so much, as I'm no fan of coastal walks per se. You leave the southern end of Santa Eulalia, in the Siesta district, and take the rough track/road that hugs the coast running for several miles and serving several villas along the way. Just before the end of the track/road there's a footpath sharp right up a steep hill covered in pine trees and the ascent and next mile or so are absolutely idyllic, and in my experience, usually deserted. You then pop out in the Valverde district just north of Cala Llonga and can take the road down into the beautiful bay of Cala Llonga itself for a lunch of fresh fish in one of its many small restaurants. However, to make the walk even more special, hunt out the dirt track from Val Verde to the deserted beach beach of Cala Blanca, accessed down the track, through a pine forest, and then most surprisingly through a 100m long man made tunnel. It's quite special, and you emerge at the end of the tunnel onto a stone beach, accessible only by boat, or this little known route. Many stories exist about the reasons the tunnel was blasted, ranging from its use during the civil war to being the first excavations for a hotel that was never built. The other way to find it is from Cala Llonga itself, and follow the coastal road high up into the headland, keep walking when the road ends, and you'll see stunning views of the beach with the tunnel clearly visible at its far end. Again, you'll be surprised at how deserted the headland is, how deserted the beach is, when you consider both's proximity to the often busy resort of Cala Llonga. Walking around this area is a great love of mine, especially when it's very hot. Not sure why, I just love it. I've also walked a bit around Santa Gertrudis (inland), and around the coast around from Es Cubells with fantastic views of Es Vedranell (aka Atlantis). Loads of paths and tracks at both.

I've also walked several parts of Ibiza with an Ibizan born Brit called Toby and his dog Cosmo. Toby runs 'Walking Ibiza' (great website BTW) and runs organised tours, plus regular walking get togethers every Wednesday (Community Walks) for anyone to turn up and join. You email him, and he writes every week saying the start time and location, ask nicely and he'll pick you up if you're en route, and pay Eur10 at the end of the walk. As you'll see from the website he knows the island better than anyone (read about his Eur1 walk all around the whole island), and the walks are a great way to explore parts of the island you may think you know, others you'd otherwise never know, and with a bit of meditation and socialising thrown in (he always ends with a meal in a small rustic cafe). I've walked with him several times, he's very welcoming, and you meet some interesting ex-pats, locals, and sometimes, a holidaymaker or two. If you do look into this option, don't confuse it with Hiking Ibiza, as that's not Toby.

And at the risk of making this a boringly long post, assuming you live/hail from Clitheroe, I've done a lot of walking there too, particularly around Waddington, Dunsop Bridge, Slaidburn, Downham, Newton etc. all followed by great beer in The Higher Buck, Lower Buck (still Timothy Taylor's landord I hope), Parkers Arms (what a view sitting on the lawn), Assheton Arms, Hark to Bounty etc. I also seem to remember that in Clitheroe there was a really good butchers selling creative sausages, a fantastic wine shop (like no other), and a bistro we used to like a lot. All that about 15 years ago BTW. And whilst not a very long walk, I also did an organised ghost walk around Clitheroe run by a local character called Simon. Quite an experience! There's also the Trough of Bowland of course, and the inimitable Inn at Whitewell, both good, both a bit toursity. Fantastic area for walkers around that part of Lancashire, and not too busy with most people driving right past it on the way to the much more crowded lake District.

Back to your original question about Ibiza though, hope you can take advantage of my notes above. If you want a more detailed route notes for Santa Eulalia to Cala Llonga, PM me.

[Clitheroekid]

BrummieDave thanks very much for such a detailed and interesting response.

The place we stay is actually in Santa Eulalia, and although we've walked over to Siesta a couple of times we've never walked to Cala Llonga before.

We'll be there in a couple of weeks, so that's now a top priority, as is finding the tunnel down to Cala Blanca, which I assume is this one - http://clientesutf.grupoeido.org/cms3/U ... anca10.jpg

You'll be pleased to know that Clitheroe and the surrounding villages you mention haven't changed much. Cowmans' Sausage Shop is still going strong - http://www.cowmans.co.uk/ - as is Byrnes' magnificent wine emporium - http://dbyrne-finewines.co.uk/

Simon Entwistle is still doing his Ghost Tours - http://www.tophattours.co.uk/ghost_walk ... _York.html, and you'll no doubt be relieved to know that the Lower Buck is still selling Landlord!

[BrummieDave]

Simon Entwistle, that's him - it was an evening walk, and he's as daft as a brush. Just after we went on his walk we saw him on Blue Peter doing train noises! Glad to read that nothing else has changed, as it's a few years since I was up there. We also used to like a tea shop in someone's bungalow down a track opposite a hotel on the Slaidburn Road up the hill on the way out of Waddington. They grew Christmas Trees there too, strange place.

More importantly, lucky you going to Santa Eulalia! In addition to my favourite walk to Cala Llonga, there's also a very short, steep and interesting walk from the inland part of town to a small chapel high on a hill called Ermita de "Sa Creu d'en Ribes". The footpath is signed with a brown sign pointing the way. To find the signpost, go to Supermarket Sa Compra, then walk uphill, to a small roundabout up the road opposite the supermarket. You'll see the hill from the supermarket so just wander up from it until the houses end (ie the end of the developments) and you'll find the sign. I walked up once on my own, all a bit spooky tbh.

You can also walk north along the coast of course to Es Canar. The path hugs the edge of the coast (literally) about 6 or 8 feet above the beach. Very boring compared to the walk south from Siesta to Cala Llonga except for when you walk past Nikki beach. time it right and you see the pool party and floorshow for free! You may know all of this of course, as I don't know if you've been to Santa Eulalia before. If you haven't PM me with any questions about bars or restaurants if you like. My fave is 'Seventeen' in Siesta, but I also like Sa Carboneria in Santa Eulalia.

Final tips for the walk to Cala Llonga (which I cannot recommend highly enough): go over the bridge into Siesta, walk along the beach until you get to the rocks, along the rocks for a bit, then a path takes you up to Carrer ses Dalies (which you can take from Siesta, but the beach is a nice way to start the walk, especially if the hut selling Estrella Damm is still there) the road/track that serves the villas. Walk along the road/track for a mile or two, almost to its end (it's a cul de sac). Ignore the small valley-like paths off to the right (worth exploring, but they aren't part of this walk), and instead look for a very definite path, marked with 'red spot' markers as found throughout Europe, that goes uphill at the apex of a sharpish left hand bend (I think!). It's not that difficult to find tbh. Then follow your nose all the way uphill, through a lovely forest, and down into Val Verde. This website shows you how to find the tunnel if you wish to go down to Cala Blanca as well http://www.ibizaholidays.com/beaches/cala_blanca.asp I would also recommend you walk from Cala Llonga itself up the headland on the left hand side of the bay, to then end of the road, then carry on along a track to the headland. Surprisingly deserted, and with great views out to sea, and further around, Cala Blanca. Try Toby and his community walks too, he's very welcoming and they are simple walks. He knows everything about Ibiza!

[Halicarnassus]

Can anyone recommend a good (and possible free) anroid app that measures your walking journey. I guess this is by GPS (?). I just want something as simple as >start > stop = distance.

I've never taken to step counters /pedometers.

[Clitheroekid]

BrummieDave, thanks once again for this detailed information.

I've been going to Santa Eulalia several times a year for well over 20 years, but I'm afraid we just tend to be pretty lazy there, and as I said in my original post it's never really occurred to me to do any proper walking there, though I've always enjoyed it in the UK.

Unfortunately, some recent health issues have limited my ability to do `proper' walks as I used to, and I'm still in the process of discovering what's feasible and what's not. But although I wouldn't now be able to cope with the type of walks that walking guides like Toby deal with I'm sure I could still manage the walk to Cala Llonga - I'll report back when (if!) I return in a couple of weeks.

I think over the years we've tried most of the restaurants in and around Santa Eulalia, and I agree that Sa Carboneria's good. But one I discovered recently served the best steak I've had in Ibiza. It's called O Galego, and it's in a fairly unprepossessing setting at the right end (looking out to sea) of the promenade in SE. The beef is from Galicia in Spain, and was absolutely brilliant. The fresh fish and seafood is also very good, so if you're visiting SE I'd highly recommend it.

[saechunu]

I've read BrummieDave and Clitheroekid's posts regarding Ibiza and Santa Eulalia with interest.

Having never been to Ibiza, but interested to do so, Santa Eulalia sounds like it could be a good destination: civilised, not too busy, walking, good food, etc. Could anyone comment on its possible similarities to Porte de Pollença (Puerto Pollensa) on Mallorca? That's somewhere we've been numerous times, initially for the cycling, but drawn back by the ease of going somewhere very easily accessible that offers a nice combination of being laid back, things to do and places to visit, relaxing, decent food, etc - it's proven a good destination for trips in late Spring or very early Autumn.

Input gratefully received!

[BrummieDave]

@Clitheroekid, thanks for the reply and the steak sounds good at O Galego. I don't know the restaurant but it's close to a lunchtime favourite spot of mine http://passion-ibiza.com/santa-eulalia/ Really lovely salads etc., just the job for lunch, especially if it's a big steak for dinner!

BTW Toby's Community walks and especially his renown sunset walks are very easy, social affairs so don't be put off. On my last one there were some quite elderly, unsteady ladies, and they loved it. If you fancy joining one, give him a buzz/email and ask what's the route, any ascents, how long etc. and he'll give you all the info to decide if it's for you or not. Or tell him what you ant and he'll let you know when the next one is that matches that description.

@saechunu,I've been to both PdP and SE.

They are similar in some regards, but PdP is in my view bigger, more developed, and possibly more refined (treading carefully, so as not to upset anyone). SU is quiet, good for families, doesn't particularly have the Ibiza 'chill' or 'vibe' which may be what you seek or indeed wish to avoid. In many ways, it's not very representative of 'Ibiza' the brand at all. Again, that could be good or bad. Perhaps Clitheroekid has views on both places, or can put forward the case for SE as he knows it better than me.

[swill453]

Can anyone recommend a good (and possible free) anroid app that measures your walking journey. I guess this is by GPS (?). I just want something as simple as >start > stop = distance.

There are plenty of free apps that will do that, but I don't know of one that will only do that.

I use Viewranger all the time on my walks, which is all about maps/routes/tracks etc., but will certainly allow you to just measure a walk if that's all you want. You might be tempted to make use of its other features though...

I've been using Viewranger for years, since it was running on Symbian on my Nokia phone. I wouldn't be without it up a hill. With a map and compass as backup, of course.

There are may other apps that will do what you want. MapMyWalk and Strava are just two, which focus on other aspects of the walking experience.

Scott.

[Itsallaguess]

Great thread, and very interesting reading everyone's walking history.

For anyone interested in UK walks, who's perhaps not seen it before, there's a fantastic website called 'Where's the path', that combines a matched split-screen window-pairing of the OS maps containing footpath information on one side, and Google Maps on the other, and it's an interactive map where you can zoom both sides, and also see where your mouse is one one half of the screen when you're tracing a path with it on the other.

Anyhow, probably best to just have a play with it for your UK location if anyone is interested, so here's the link -

https://wtp2.appspot.com/wheresthepath.htm

A fantastic website, which I've used for many years now. It's great to be able to plan independent routes that look interesting, without the need of a guidebook.

Cheers,

Itsallaguess

[swill453]

For anyone interested in UK walks, who's perhaps not seen it before, there's a fantastic website called 'Where's the path'

For anyone walking in Scotland, there's https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk (which actually covers the whole country and not just the highlands).

It has full descriptions and map links for loads of walks.

The best part is that for all the walks you can download the GPX files (basically the GPS waymarks for the entire route) for free. These can then be loaded into an app like Viewranger, so you can follow the route on your device as you walk it.

(Note it also has links saying "Buy offline route in Viewranger app" but you don't need to do that, importing the GPX files manually and adding the walk description is only a couple of extra steps.)

Scott.

[BrummieDave]

@itsallaguess, I've been using that website off and on for around five years now, and you are the first person I've ever know who already knows about it. As I wouldn't know what to 'Google' for the answer to be that website, I wonder where I first came across it. Perhaps it was in a walking mag (eg Country Walking) or book. How did you first find it?

In addition to being a great resource for planning a walk, it's also very useful for anyone who is nosey, or to solve any questions about things you've seen on a walk and want to know what they are, what they're called etc. It is an incredibly useful application of simple tech.

[Itsallaguess]

@itsallaguess, I've been using that website off and on for around five years now, and you are the first person I've ever know who already knows about it.

As I wouldn't know what to 'Google' for the answer to be that website, I wonder where I first came across it. Perhaps it was in a walking mag (eg Country Walking) or book.

How did you first find it?

Hi there,

I can't remember how I found it now, although it may well have simply been a case of stumbling on it, as you tend to do when trawling around the net looking for things.

I remember raising it on The Motley Fool boards when I first found it, so I've just been for a look to see when that was, and am very scared to find that it was way back in 2009 -

http://boards.fool.co.uk/great-os-map-s ... 02950.aspx

Blimey, doesn't time fly!

In addition to being a great resource for planning a walk, it's also very useful for anyone who is nosey, or to solve any questions about things you've seen on a walk and want to know what they are, what they're called etc. It is an incredibly useful application of simple tech.

Absolutely right; to be able to have the great OS maps alongside a synchronous Google Map, with all the useful overlays available is a great free resource, and I'm chuffed to bits that it's been able to keep going for so long in such a position.

Hopefully others will also now be able to have it available in their bookmarks, to be able to help plan some great summer UK walks this year.

That said, perhaps I should also link to the other great free resource that we use all the time, to help with such UK outdoor-venture planning -

http://www.raintoday.co.uk/



Cheers,

Itsallaguess

[Halicarnassus]

Okay, I know I'm taking things a wee bit off course here but I suppose this thread is a broad one anyway devoid of specifics so here goes. I'm worried that the advent of advanced mobile technology that another of our traditional skills will become obsolete in a few years: map reading and other manual methods of navigation. Okay I've said it.

[Halicarnassus]

I'm planning to walk 200km in May. Just an accumulation of daily walks, but I hope to set a firm foundation for building more leg strength and stamina.

[swill453]

I'm planning to walk 200km in May. Just an accumulation of daily walks, but I hope to set a firm foundation for building more leg strength and stamina.

"Walk 1000 miles in 2017" is a bit of a "thing" on social media sites at the moment. My partner is doing it and I'm tagging along.

Depending on your lifestyle and preference you can count just "boots on" miles, or at the other extreme every step you take from couch to kitchen etc.

Scott.

[Halicarnassus]

"Walk 1000 miles in 2017" is a bit of a "thing" on social media sites at the moment. My partner is doing it and I'm tagging along.

Depending on your lifestyle and preference you can count just "boots on" miles, or at the other extreme every step you take from couch to kitchen etc.

Scott.

Yes that's true, I'll be doing the former, but in running shoes.

[Rhyd6]

I'm lucky enough to live in the Clwydian range here in N. Wales. I do about 5 miles plus every day because we have a dog amd no matter what the weather she is raring to go. When we holidayed in France we always tried to stay near a river and walk as much as we could along it's banks. Although I like good scenery I'm more into flora and fauna and alwayds make sure OH has his phone ready for pictures of flowers or bushes etc. that I don't recognise. I feel sorry for people who have to rely on gyms for their excercise. I also like walking by canals, I'm a great fan of gongoozling.

R6

[Dod101]

Good for you Snorvey. When I was a young lad I used to take the train to Aviemore on a Friday pm and walked in to the Youth Hostel at Loch Morlich (very probably long gone) The next day I would walk around some of the lower walks to get acclimatised so to speak and on the Sunday walked to the top of Cairn Gorm and across the plateau to Ben Macdhui and then retraced my steps to the youth hostel. Home on the Monday. Just the thought of that! Must have been fit.

These were the days before the chairlift never mind what is there now.

Dod

[Dod101]

I have recently read a book that dealt, for the most part, in the British Agents on Crete during the German occupation in WWII. The extraordinary feats of endurance and surviving on the run amid the mountain ranges was mind boggling. Just like goats with guns.

Did Patrick Leigh Fermour not claim to have been there at that time? Fitzroy MacLean was I think on the mainland supporting Tito.

Dod

[swill453]

When I was a young lad I used to take the train to Aviemore on a Friday pm and walked in to the Youth Hostel at Loch Morlich (very probably long gone)

Nope, still there. Stayed in it prior to walking the Lairig Ghru a few years ago.

These were the days before the chairlift never mind what is there now.

A funicular, but it's currently out of action.

Scott.