Walking in Ternelles?

[mopezone]

I come to the Pollenca area every year as a base for some walking/hiking (and the Wine Fair!) and always try to do the walk through the Ternelles valley.

As many of you will know, this is owned by the dreadful March family, who over the years have used the full force of their wealth and the law to prevent/discourage people from walking on their land.

In recent years it has been the Town Council of Pollenca which has been able to issue 20 permits a day online for walkers to access Ternelles, and this has worked well for us.

I now see that as a consequence of some law suit last June, the Council can no longer do this, and the issuing of permits is being done by another organisation, in Campanet. Furthermore, it is no longer possible to access Ternelles on Monday or Tuesday, and the time of access has been reduced to 0930 to 1500. The website in question:

https://visitaguiadaternelles.com/

also talks about 'guided visits' and a 'minimum of 4 people'.

Can any dedicated walkers flesh all this out a bit for me? What is the current situation? Do you have to participate in a guided visit? Do you have to be a party of 4 or more?

Many thanks!

 

[bobley]

Yes, you have to stay with a party. It's tooth achingly slow. You can only walk along the main trail to Cala Castell and we didn't even make it down to the water.

The guide was a strange little man who has fairly extremest ecological views. If you don't like bird watching it'll be worse.

The best entertainment was watching his response as every none english speaking folk in the group asked one by one when we get to go to the castle (which you cant). He got so wound up.

We tolerated it once, it was more of a must do activity as it was the last landmark bit of Pollenca scenery my late wife got to enjoy (last oct)

Maybe you'd enjoy joining a working party and go along a cut a tree down at El Pi.

Ps - There was only my wife and I in our booking, we joined another 10 people on the tour. You dont need to register 4 people yourself.

 

[mopezone]

Thanks for the quick reply Bobley - I'm sorry about the news of your wife, by the way - please accept my condolences.

This is bad news about Ternelles of course - I've been walking in that estate since about 1980, and the bastard March pigs seem to be engaged in an almost perpetual battle with Pollenca Ajuntament to try and keep walkers out.

There has been an uneasy truce for several years now, but obviously they appear to have redoubled their efforts and have won this latest round.

I wonder if anybody knows what might happen next? Do the Mallorcan senderistas, or the Ajuntament, have any plans to challenge the Marches and get the place reopened, at least for free walking?

 

[mopezone]

I'm coming to the area on 28th April for a couple of weeks and hoping to get in plenty of walking as always.

The Ternelles walk is always a favourite, but I was wondering what the current situation is with regard to permits etc?

Can anybody tell me
a) whether I can walk in the Ternelles property in 2022?
b) if so, what I have to do to gain entry?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Big Sal]

I enjoyed this walk last month (guided is the only option). Here is the link for more info.
https://www.visitaguiadaternelles.com/1/info/en/

 

[mopezone]

Thanks for the response

I am used to walking this independently, which is clearly not possible at present.

Would you say it is worthwhile doing it with a guide? Are you an experienced hiker, used to stomping around the sierra by yourself?

 

[Big Sal]

Not a hiker at all, just enjoy leisurely strolls through the countryside.

Our tour guide was a friendly young lady, knowledgeable and wildlife was her passion. She equipped us with binoculars before we set off, and often referred to her wildlife book showing us more details on what we were seeing. She gave us knowledge of the local flora and fauna as we went. Personally, I recommend it and would like to do it again.