Esporles to Valldemossa - Sept 23

 Great room and breakfast included in Esporles Hostal - all for 59 Euros. A big breakfast - and I needed it.

As usual the day starts with an uphill - this time it continued for 3/4 of the day until I headed down the mountain to Valldemossa.

From there:

To there:

The Guidebook “kind of” suggested skipping this section. Starting about 1/3 into the day there would be no more signposts, and starting at the first col there would be a continuous rock crag hindering the ability to follow the footsteps in those who hiked before us.

Major problem is that at the end of September the leaves have fallen, covering footprints in between the rocks.

I downloaded a map app, wrote lots of notes about markers to watch for, and headed out.

I was also hoping to see a few backpackers along the way to problem solve. Neither passed nor was passed by any folks heading in my direction. Saw one group of 8 and one couple heading in the opposite direction.

Quite anxious there today.

On the way:

And really, have to crawl down this?

I made it - taking an hour longer than expected given the retracing that occurred as I fumbled to stay on track.

Headed to the first place to get a beer as soon as I arrived in Valldemossa. Tired!

What a difference - Esporles was clearly comprised of locals; Valldemossa is a crowded tourist trap. The faithful trek here to visit the monastery..   Chopin lived here with George Sands.

Lots of restaurants and tourist related stores.

Tomorrow: no signposts again for the entire segment; cannot find a map for this section to download; rain and thunderstorms predicted starting in the morning and thru the entire day.

Perhaps I should not take my chances - should be a bus I can find!!

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