Carboneras to Garrucha; 27,5 km

Today was a much easier day than yesterday, although long (27 km). We had an easy flat start. We were puzzled by a gigantic hotel looking old, partly spray painted, with cranes and “demolition ya” behind the windows.
Then climbing to a path along the perimeter of the mountain (or was it simply a massive rock formation?) beside the sea. There was some erosion at parts. Very likely two spots will erode completely soon, and the Argar will have to be re-routed.

We then turned inland, walking along a Rambla (dry waterway) until we reached an old mining tunnel with a low entrance. Once we had crawled in we could stand, and easily walk the 400 metre length using our headlamps. The tunnel has a reputation as dangerous due to potentially falling rocks, but it seemed quite sound to us.

Our walk then took us back toward the sea, we missed a turn and ended up on a dry river bed. We decided to follow it for 4 km as it was easy and nice soft for the feet (like walking on rubber tiles). There we saw our first and up till now only blossoming almond tree.

We got back on the Camino just before reaching the coast. Then another path cut into the face of the mountain. Again there was a steep drop to the sea, but this path was wide and even and mostly had a fence between walkers and the sea, appearing to be a recent construction. This path was very close to the beginning of a series of beaches and was used as a recreation trail.
When we got down to sea level we cooled our feet. By then the temperature was round 20 degrees.

The next 10-12 km were flat and on hard surfaces, following promenades along an endless series of holiday resorts. It was very unappealing and changed my perception of the Mediterranean Sea, which I had previously thought of as a desirable place to go. We missed the natural environment and for the first time put in our headphones to listen to music.

We have sore feet from the long walk on tarmac, but have a very pleasant hotel room with great beds and a little patio where we enjoyed our picnic dinner. No need to go anywhere until morning. ~Debi

Accomodation:
Hostal Manolo, 1 km from the Camino, 50 euro for a room for two, clean and very hot (yeah!) water.Read more