Hiking

Most walking routes are located in the Tramuntana Mountains, on the northeastern coast of Mallorca. There you will enjoy the best views, the most spectacular streams and the highest mountains on the island with several peaks rising above 1,000 metres. The highest point is Puig Major at approximately 1,450 metres. The Llevant Mountains are also captivating. They are not as high and are more scattered than the Tramuntana mountains. But they certainly deserve a visit. Lastly, you can also walk along the coast, especially if you want to enjoy the peace and solitude of the beautiful virgin beaches hidden in the Mallorcan coast. Such is the case of the the Artà beaches, in the Llevant nature park, or a number of virgin beaches in the municipality of Manacor, among others. Also a pilgrimage to the monasteries in the area, like Lluc or Sant Salvador, will make a very interesting walk.

Hiking in Mallorca allows you to discover the island’s traditional way of life. It is not only about enjoying nature but also about exploring it and discovering traces of our history and culture in the landscape. Part of our ethnological heritage is connected to charcoal making. It is formed by stone structures such as huts, charcoal hearths, loading platforms, etc. Snow deposits are another interesting heritage feature. They were used in the past to store snow and make ice. Other heritage elements include dry-stone paths, fountains and water mills.

Furthermore, hiking also allows you to discover the Balearic flora and its endemic species, the unique Tramuntana forest with holm oak and olive trees, and, in the Llevant region, the giant reed, pine and strawberry trees. It is also easy to watch the local wildlife: black vultures, goats and donkeys.

The Archduke Louis Salvator was a great admirer of the island. He wanted visitors to the island to be able to discover the mountain landscapes. He built the Archduke’s trail with several viewpoints along the way so that visitors, like Sissi Empress of Austria, could admire the stunning views.

Mallorca is more aware of the richness of its trails. More trails are increasingly being repaved and signposted for hikers, such as the trail of el Correu connecting Esporles and Banyalbufar, the Sóller-Binibassí-Fornalutx-Biniaraix route, the trail connecting Deià to the magnificent cove of Llucalcari or the stunning trail of the ancient olive trees, among many others.

However, not all the hiking takes place on the island of Mallorca. Let’s not forget the gentle slopes of the island of Dragonera with a maximum height of 65 metres and spectacular views of the Mallorcan coast. The walking maps available are extensive and complete, as are the specialized shops where you can buy equipment for your expedition.

Mallorca is an ideal place to go walking and hiking because of the good weather, the splendour of its landscapes and the perfect combination of mountain and sea. But your options are not limited to these activities. Nordic Walking, an emerging sport that has been recently introduced in Spain, is increasingly more popular on the paths of Mallorca.