Cala Blanca to Cala en Bosc

A mild and breezy start for the GR223 trek from Ciutadella to Mão, the capital of Menorca. First, some coffee, a fried egg, and bread above the picturesque cove of Santandria. The trail is rocky with twisty limestone under foot. The first woman we ran into said she fell on the uneven rocks bruising her knee. A good reminder to take our time. The mountains of eastern Mallorca were actually visible across the sea, and the turquoise waters beckoned us on to the next bend, and the next...

Mallorca to Menorca GR223 Camí de Cavalls

Took the two-hour ferry from Alcudia to Ciutadella to the easternmost Balaeric island of Menorca to prepare for the next trek along the GR223. Checked out the red & white trail markings which look good. In many areas the trail seems to follow along the horizontal platforms of limestone rock on the coast carved to form tantalizing coves with gorgeous turquoise water.

Cala Tuent to Soller

Today's route today began on a remote beach about an hour's  drive over the mountains north of Soller. Packed with fruit, sandwiches and water, we proceeded to hike 15 km back to town through a wild and beautiful coastal pine trail traversing the hillside. Eventually the trail took us over the mountain into the terraced hillside of an abandoned olive production farm, and again over the next ridge winding our way into Soller. Took the cute local tram to Port de Soller to end a spectacular week of trekking in NW Mallorca.

Cirque de Soller

Scenic hill trails surround both Soller and Port de Soller. Originally a Moorish town later conquered by King Jaume II, Soller became wealthy with citrus and olive production irrigated through stone terraces and mountain water in its mild/ hot climate. Mansions and palaces were built in the 14th to 19th c as well as a church on the grounds of a former mosque. Attacked by pirates in 1561, the church was rebuilt in 17th c and, every May, the village celebrates the women who drove out the pirates armed with kitchen knives and frying pans! We also toured a late 19th c art nouveau mansion called Can Prunera, originally owned by a wealthy fruit exporter and now home to a modern art museum.