Walking Mallorca Majorca - Walk Destinations

This excursion is known locally as the "Cami De Correu" which was basically the Postman's route. Two very contrasting Mallorcan villages make this route extra special. Banyalbufar is nestled high on top of the cliffs on the lower west coast and is instantly recognisable by the terraced cultivation all around. Our linear pathway climbs up and out of the area passing vineyards and smallholdings, to reach the equally attractive, inland market town of Esporles.

This eastern part of the island has recently been declared a protected area and it's easy to see why. The landscape is very open and the vegetation uniquely different from that of the west. We discover virgin beaches at Estreta and the namesake of the walk, Torta. The scents of wild thyme and yellow gorse are particularly apparent in the early part of the year and the colours in the sea are unforgettable! We travel along lanes, coastal paths and horse trails to finish in Cala Rajada. We visit the historic castle of Arta on the bus journey home.

Curiosity and the need to have a look, lead me to the area where this walk takes place, after being aware of it's existence for quite some time. I remember pulling away from the "Coll de Sabatia" start and quickly arriving at a bluff with panoramic views everywhere you looked. A raggy overgrown route lead you to the edge of a ravine and a faint cobbled path took you down as far as a wood like jungle complete with creepers and vines. On the other side of the dense greenery, a house appeared from nowhere, to mark our change of direction. An old traders route running parallel to a torrente, took me first to pretty Binibona and second to Caimari for the pub! I distinctly remember thinking I'd found the Garden of Eden.

This is a great way to explore the Soller Basin and its centuries old terraced slopes. We kick off in the Port of Soller and pull away along a country lane as far as the giant house of "Can Bardi." 16C, an interesting chance to take a look back into the past. From here, we travel through an area rich in vegetation with small market garden plots called "huertas" accompanying us all the way to Soller. In the valleys main town we eat our picnic in style at a venue which in return only requests we patronise the bar (not too difficult). Later on we climb behind the prominent houses of Binibassi to find an old pathway that will guide us to the namesake of our walk. The village of Fornalutx is without doubt one of the prettiest on the island and sits in the shadow of Puig Mayor - Mallorca's highest mountain. A little later we pass through the cobbled streets of Biniaraix as we make our way back to the town of Soller to board the famous tram.

Puig D'Alaro is a large geological plug reaching for the sky, with the remains of an old Moorish castle on top. Starting in the peaceful valley of Orient we climb up through olive terracing and a small woodland to arrive at a plateau with surprise views all around. We picnic on the summit and half way down the other side of the hill stop at "Es Verger" renowned for it's interesting red wine. This has to be one of the prettiest walks on Mallorca.

We take a pathway often trodden by the late poet Robert Graves as he went down to Cala Deia to
swim in its deep azure waters. The waves have weathered the rocks into marvellous shapes and the coastal path across to Lluc Alcari is a landscape artists dream!
We climb up to the houses of Son Mico and then continue along to our final goal, the shell shaped bay of Port Soller.

The Cap Gros lighthouse situated on the cliffs above Soller is not terribly high, but gives the impression that you could be in a plane looking down on the surroundings. This attractive circular walk incorporates the best of the Muleta headland from where the big light scans the horizon. The majority of this path, previously only used by hunters, has been forged by the local government to attract people to the recently built refuge of "Muleta", where you can stay the night.

This walk forms an arc around the sacred Monastery of Lluc. The ground under foot is a combination of country lane, forest track and cobbled path and should present no difficulty to anyone used to walking. We pass through an area previously involved in the felling of oak trees, for the production of charcoal and traces of its preparation are still in existence. We picnic at a rise high above, with sterling views down into the basin that cradles Lluc. Later we come to the spring water bottling plant at Binifaldo and further still, the rock sculpture known as "The Camel". On return to the monastery we allow enough time to let you truly enjoy your visit.

The old road from Lluc to Pollensa, was the main access route from the north to the mountains and
vice versa until about the 1950's. Nowadays this mixture of country lanes and cart track, give the walker a great chance to explore the Monastery of Lluc, before setting off on a journey northwards along pleasant terrain backed by imposing scenery such as Puig Tomir Mountain. Mostly downhill we finish the excursion just short of a mind numbing road walk to Pollensa at Les Creus, where our transport awaits.

Leandro Ximenis was a very accomplished mountaineer from the vicinity of Bunyola. A well liked charismatic character, who the "Fomento de Turisme" decided to commemorate after his death by re-naming a local Bunyola hill called "Sa Gubia", with the new title "Mirador Leandro Ximenis".
I'm pretty sure the man would approve of the accolade and certainly the venue, which boasts commanding views back to the village and shows you the entire bay of Palma almost at your feet.
The circular walk we operate, takes us through the secluded valley of "Biniforani Vell" up to some oak woodland and an interesting tree assisted climb (steepish - if you like?) At the top the scenery opens out and continues to surprise at every twist and turn. A very satisfying day out!

Great chance to explore yet another part of the island, this time in the south. The village of Randa sits in a fertile valley bordered by a large flat topped hill “Puig De Randa”.
We scale the hill to arrive at a well known religious sanctuary on top where we picnic. On a clear day you can make out 32 towns and villages below. Our descent route is really spectacular passing under rugged cliffs and overhangs with lavender hugging the banks.

The Penyals are high jutting peaks of limestone escarpment overlooking a dense green valley floor. Located near to the attractive village of Bunyola, which has always offered great possibilities for walking. We commence our day, pulling up through the cobbled streets, which connect the tight cluster of houses; Thus giving us a real feel for the place! Our climb throughout the day is about 400 Mtrs in total, but for this, you're rewarded with some truly outstanding scenery.

The commanding peak of "Gallileu" looks over the monastery of Lluc. Our route takes us from the reservoir at Cuber toward the oak woodland surrounding the Font Des Prat watering hole.
We then begin a gradual ascent through forest and rocky limestone desert to arrive at a high coll, which used to be a settlement for snow collectors up until the 1920's. From here we move onto the mighty backbone of this mountain, which offer's some of the most satisfying walking anywhere on the island.
Until you arrive at the top - the very best of this rock giant is not revealed, but the views when you get there are well worth waiting for!

This peak is the highest in the Arta range of hills at 561 mtrs. The path travels through a ravine to arrive at a tiny shrine with it's own spring! We're up high for most of the day on rugged pathless terrain right until we reach the summit after a short steep climb. The views are very surprising as most expect scenery like this only in the west. We make our return journey along the cliff edge, but on better ground and this section is truly breathtaking.

The dominant Puig Tomir is somewhat symbolic in the north and watches over the town of Pollensa. The excursion we take is full of diversity - Walking across scree slopes, tackling rock chimneys before gaining one of the best views on the island, which is held back as an incentive until you're actually sat proudly on top. An impressive coll, a wild looking valley and a karst staircase (if your imagination is good) all follow the summit on this cracking day out!

The starting point for our hike is the once thriving fishing port of Colonia San Pere at the foot of the Arta Mountains. The coastline between here and our finish in Son Baulo (C'an Picafort) has very contrasting terrain - sometimes soil / sand stone, or dusty Mediterranean horse trail. One of the most interesting parts of the walk, being the ancient burial grounds we pass near to Son Serra. On arrival at Son Baulo bay with its translucent waters we finish with a well earned dip!

34. Santa Maria - Orient. 15Km (Grade C+)
Just on the outskirts of Santa Maria village lie the houses of Son Torrella, almost stately in their appearance. They mark the entrance to a magical place, which connects the busy east of the island with the somewhat lost in time Orient. Our passage to get there takes us through a deep gauge in the landscape called the Coanegra valley (Black cave). Named after an unusual hidden cave found in 1824.

The hills west of Valldemossa offer the scene for this unforgettable journey. A steady climb takes us to the Son Gallard pass and this is where the trees part and reveal a breathtaking mountain vista.
What comes next is pure magic as we travel along a stoney path to arrive at the edge of these steep crags with the full south west coast at our feet. Throughout the day we’ll see the outstretched Foradada rock and the house of S’Estaca and Son Marroig way below.
Above us we should see one of the islands impressive Black Vulture colony. The descent path is one of the very best with aerial views of Valldemossa village as we decide which bar?

Talaia is the name given to a series of watchtowers strategically placed around the Mallorcan coastline.
About five hundred years ago, the island was the target of many raiding pirate invasions, so the locals decided to develop an early warning system with Talaia's operating as fire beacons, to warn the community of imminent attack. Our walk starts at arguably the best beach on the island "Mesquida" and that is where we find a prominent hill that is begging to be climbed "Son Jaumell". On the other side of it we find pine woodland, that takes us down to the inlet of Cala Molto, with its intense aqua marine colours. A short stroll and we invade Ratjada to collapse by its pretty marina with a rewarding drink.

The two named villages are perhaps the most photogenic on the island. Lush vegetation brought back from far away places flourishes in both valleys giving them a unique splash of colour, as they lie cradled by the mighty Tramuntana Mountains. A centuries old, rural industry pathway, enables us to get from one to the other on foot.

Sa Capalleta is a unique shrine built high on the slopes overlooking the busy town of Soller. It’s unusual fairytale like appearance makes the climb up to it all the more rewarding. We continue upward to the Mirador Ses Barques to picnic. Afterwards a recently restored pathway leads us to the village of Fornalutx with its network of narrow cobbled streets and its magnificent backdrop. We make a stop for refreshments and then it’s back through Binibassi to reach Soller town.

This has got to be one of the top three excursions on the island. The route is circular and pushes up through the Comafreda valley reaching the old snow houses at the “Coll des Prat” (1126m) before following a narrow goat trail to the breathtaking view point of “Ses Bassetes” which displays depth and ruggedness, and puts you in one of those adrenalin filled, “Ain’t life great!” situations.
A rocky scramble (and the reason why the walk is graded ‘A’) takes us up to the summit area. Afterwards we drop down the eastern side of the mountain, passing and entering the “Font de S’Avenc” cave along the way.

In the central part of the Tramuntana mountain range we find an area the locals call Mallorca’s lakes. These are indeed the island’s two main reservoirs, which have been here since the sixties and are bordered by some of the most impressive limestone scenery anywhere. Starting at the gates to Cuber Reservoir we head towards the Sierra Torella massif, making for the islands main junction for classic walks – the “Coll De L’Ofre”. From here, an old drovers path climbs to the edge of a lost deep gully – the hidden Torella Valley.

This excursion has previously featured before and I’m pleased to say that it re-appears with a new modified route, but retaining all the original ingredients and much more.
The path follows the old muntanyençs way, which once linked Soller and the north coast and hangs under the neck of Mallorca’s highest mountain Puig Mayor 1447mtrs, like a string of pearls.

If you were trekking from Andratx to Pollensa, this section would surely play a major part. The walk takes us through an area heavily used in the production of charcoal until the 40’s.
Esporles is a distinct market town with an unusual shape and interesting buildings, which is seldom included on the tourist trail – all the more reason to take a peek!
The walk itself twists and turns as it gains height, taking us through woodland to surprise vistas, as we make our way to one of Mallorca’s real treasures : the hillside, flower-bedecked village of Valldemossa.

Dramatic, twisted and weathered karst rock offers the backdrop to this circuit near to Lluc Monastery. One section of the route is like a secret garden with velvety moss coating the jagged shapes and you’d be forgiven for thinking yourself on the Lord of the Rings film set, as this is truly fairytale stuff!

Located in the Calvia region, this prominent giant looks every bit the part, with it’s shark toothed form. A great opportunity to explore an area untouched by Mallorcan Walking Tours until now, with the village of Puigpunyent proving a real discovery.

This is the tale of two contrasting walks, blended into one day. The first starts at the “Mirador Ses Barques” and drops down through a canyon to the “Coll den Marques” arriving in Port Soller via the attractive “Can Bardi” House, with a chance to have a look around.
After spending some time in Port Soller for our picnic, we travel inland to Soller town, some 2.5Km away, to start the second part of our day with a charming little circuit walk, which travels up to the monument of “Tres Creus”, offering fantastic views of the town and valley, all the way down to the splash of blue back in the port.

The island takes on the shape of a giant dragon sleeping off shore, and the fact that it is inhabited by thousands of little lizards gives a clear indication as to how it got it’s name “Dragonera”.
We travel to idyllic Sant Elmo in the south west to take a short boat trip across to the start of our walk at the jetty of this wonderful natural park. We make for the highest part of the island to survey its contents on a true voyage of discovery, finishing with a swim in an aqua marine heaven! .

A recently restored tower overlooking Tuent and Calobra is where we’re heading. The tower was originally built, like so many others in the sixteenth century, to protect the locals from pirate attacks. We also visit Sa Calobra and take a short walk to the mouth of the Torrent de Pareis canyon, which is surrounded by a thousand foot amphitheatre of rock. Not to be missed!

This village is an absolute must to visit and it’s easy to see why it’s warm stone architecture and lush flower filled terraces have inspired artists from all over the world. We walk to and old defence tower overlooking the sea and swim in crystal waters at a place previously known as “Smugglers Cove”. The day also includes a stop at Valldemossa and sparkling cava at Foradada.

When you’ve seen this inlet, it’ll never leave that special part of your mind which stores select images. Cala Murta is located on the south side of the rocky Formentor peninsular and is not too far from the lighthouse itself. Maritime Pine and Dwarf Fan Palms dominate the vegetation in this area and pleasant walking enables us to better explore this unique part of Mallorca. There will be chance to swim, and snorkelling is highly recommended.

Steep landscaped terracing cascades down to the community of “Port des Canonge”, on the beautiful south west coast. This excursion takes us off the beaten track and into an area that you really should take time to see! South of “Canonge” Aleppo pines fringe the shoreline and our route becomes a magic carpet high above the Med, as we head for the very attractive Moorish influenced village of Banyalbufar.