One of the gratifications of Mallorca is that you can actually go on a bear hunt. Of course, one should not take that in a literal manner. But, if you have the right spirit and the willingness to allow for the unexpected, and are prepared to go right through the hitches and obstacles that Mallorcan landscape may present you with, a hike in Mallorca’s countryside can be utterly rewarding, inspiring and thrilling, just like the rhyme by Michael Rosen has us believe.

We went for such a trek yesterday afternoon in sublime weather conditions. We got all huffy and puffy, sweaty, exhilarated and thrilled, at least I did. No, we did not find any bears nor did we have to struggle with snowstorms nor deep rivers. But there was long grass, there were deep forests and there was a cave or two as well as the odd obstacle, some wonderment and plenty of wildlife. We got back home all safe and sound, very pleased, rewarded and satisfied to live on this dazzling island.

There are no indigenous bears in Mallorca nor does anyone think that there have ever been. There are a couple of brown bears in La Reserva de Galatzó, over in the South Western part of the Tramuntana mountain range. But there are opportunities to go on a bear hunt everywhere on the island in all but the literal sense, and plenty of them.

The photo was taken near Felanitx, Mallorca, Baleares, Spain. The date: March 6th, 2011. The time was 14:46:08.