Na Penyal mountain and Via Verde 30th September 2016

I headed for the largest mountain in the area, Na Penyal and slogged up to the top in the heat of the late morning sun.The views from the top are worth the effort. However it was only when I was at the top that I discovered that there was another path to the summit. If there is a next time, I will do the hard work to get up the mountain on the northern side shaded by trees and take the easier downward journey on the southern side  in the sun.

 It is to a great photo but it gives the idea of the twin peaks of Na Penyal from some nearby fields. It had rained overnight and the clouds were still hanging about.

Crossing my route going up Na Penyal I came across a Via Verde. This is a path that follows an old railway track. The railway closed in 1977 bt the route has been developed into a long distance walking come cycling path. It is 28kms long stretching from Manacor to Arta.

They must had had a big budget as the surface is great, bridges and tunnels have been repaired and stations renovated. There are frequent picnic sites along the route and thousands of trees have been planted. It opened in 2014 and once the trees are established it will be a pleasant shaded walk in parts through lovely mountain scenery.

There are numerous signs, plenty of fencing, distance markers and information boards on the local fauna and flora in Spanish, Mallorcanese, German and English. Some bridges were modern but some were beautiful stone bridges.

There were a couple of tunnels on the 11kms section that I walked. 

And an attempt at an arty style out of the tunnel photo.

The main church at Son Corrio, just a few hundred metres off the track.

The station had also received investment and looked ready to receive passengers with updated facilities and large car parks such as at San Miguel...but no railway track or sleepers.

The station at San Lorenzo.

The station at Son Servera.

I just couldn't resist this shot.

But I also saw a few other sights. Most roundabouts are adorned with some artwork. Some can be easily identified as art such as this family group under a tree made out of thick sheet metal on a roundabout in Son Servera.

But I wasn't so sure about this collection of sticks held together by an aluminium band.

But every sunrise was spectacular with the changing colours with reds set off against the greys.