I've lived in Palm Mar for over four years but I've never properly explored the huge nature reserve we have right next door! So yesterday evening, after the sun had lost most of its heat, I set out to the footpath that begins just outside the Palm Mar arch to see where it leads. It was a much longer walk than I anticipated and I ended up rushing to get back before dark - I really didn't like the idea of being out in the Badlands on my own in the dark
I managed it - just - and walked 3km altogether. Here are the pics I took
This is the point where I realised it was going to be a longer walk than I expected
A few more steps and turning back didn't look very appealing either
So I carried on even though it was starting to get dark...
Looking back the way I'd come just after I had taken a much rougher footpath that branched off to the right of the main path:
The rough footpath meandered and climbed following the line of the volcanic hills, crossing what looked like old drainage channels. After a while I reached the top of a ridge and saw the first glimpse of Palm Mar below (you can see Las Americas in the distance):
The footpath then descended steeply down the side of Paraíso Fase I, the complex next door, and I made it home with the last glow of the setting sun
I didn't realise I had to start the GPS on my mobile app manually before I started so unfortunately my phone didn't log the route as I walked it, but I plotted it out on Google Maps when I got home so this is the route I figure I took:
According to the
interwebs, Malpaís de la Rasca covers about 315 hectares so I barely scratched a corner of it. I'll set out earlier another day and aim for the lighthouse.
