A Lanjaron Loop

Why do we run on trails ? One of the reasons must be that we like the variety, the challenge, the scenery. We like to mix it up a little, not just plod along the pavement for mile upon boring mile...

Okay, so every so often it's important to try new routes out - so long as you know that you're going in roughly the right direction, that you've plenty of water and a few emergency supplies, getting slightly lost on purpose is a great thing for a trail runner to do.

That's how it happened that a shortish, flatish, but visually stunning section of the GR7 between Lanjaron and Cañar turned into a long, steep, pretty much never ending variation on the GR7 between these two villages. So far, so good. There was only one slight problem... I hadn't
mentioned the detour to the group I was supposed to be guiding...

Heading out of Lanjaron, keeping an eye out for the little red and white waymarking stripes, you soon leave the road and head uphill. I had always wanted to try the little route up to the right that looked a little more challenging ( I mean steep ) than the standard route.

With the tacit consent ( ie total ignorance ) of the group, we took the detour, and it led us along a narrow path up a hill, cresting with a lovely view and a signpost that showed us we were now on the wrong path. No matter, I asked a bloke who just happened to be standing on the hill,
enjoying the view, and he directed us back onto the right path. ( Of course we had maps and compasses, but why spoil the mood ? ) All in all a great little diversion that was much better than the slog up the tarmac it replaced. Perhaps it made me too confident...

Back on the proper path we pushed upwards, conserving our resources with the odd spot of walking. I was being cagey about the time it would take us, so the group were saving up water and energy bars, just in case. Very wise.

The track was wide and curving, gently rising and sweeping from side to side. A driveable road, though perhaps not with a much-cherished car. Not too far along this track the GR7 turns to the right and follows a contour line directly to Cañar. This is a great little path because you can't
quite see how it will make it's way along the steep valley sides in front of you. The going is fairly easy, if a little loose underfoot at times, and the views are wonderful. We didn't take that path.

Instead we carried on going up. The beauty of this new route is that the destination can be seen for most of the climb ; it comes into view, comes close, then slides away again as we twist back to gain yet more height... And into view, then away again...and again...and again...

The climb was long and hard, but our prize was a magnificent view of the snow-covered mountains and a fine flat section that stretched out way above the village we were aiming for. Naturally by now the group had figured out that we were on a detour - I just hoped the support vehicle (driven by the boss) had been able to guess what we were up to.

I knew we'd never been lost because I asked people along the route, who all confirmed we were heading towards the village. Of course, I'd asked the wrong question - when you're any route that eventually gets to your destination " is this the way to ... " tends to get the answer " yes ". The question should have been " is this the BEST / SHORTEST route to ..."

Having gained our vantage point way above the village we had to drop back down. A quick, fun descent on a secure tarmac road offered yet more reward. Or punishment, depending on your point of view.

In the time we took for the detour, the boss had run the intended route there and back. He took it well however, pleased to see us all in one piece...

After eating we went back to Lanjaron, this time taking the right route. In place of three and a half hours, fifty minutes. But we had been able to explore a whole new route, we had given our legs a good workout, and we had breathed good, fresh air. What could be better ?

And okay, I admit it, it wasn't really a deliberate detour, I just missed the damn turn off....

John Bateson