Mallorca, the largest of the Balearic Islands, has much more to offer than just party miles and beach holidays. Especially the north and west of the island are popular with hikers and mountain bikers alike. In the Serra de Tramuntana mountain massif, you will find a comparatively sparsely populated, unique landscape, small original villages and breathtaking views almost throughout. Particularly impressive is the island’s highest mountain, Puig Mayor, at 1445 metres. There are also hiking trails in the south of the island, which lead along steeply sloping coastal sections and thus offer fantastic views from almost everywhere. The coastal mountain range Serres de Llevant, which is up to 500 metres high and highly dissected, stretches from Cap de Ferrutx in the north-east of the island to the area of Felanitx in the south and also offers tours here for hikers with the most varied requirements.
In all areas of the island you will find easy trails with few metres of altitude for beginners and families, as well as hiking trails and technically demanding mountain tours for adventurers and experienced hikers.
Basically, the Mediterranean climate on the island makes hiking possible all year round. However, spring and autumn are best suited for hiking tours, as they allow you to avoid too much heat and cold winds. In summer, the lowlands are too warm, so mountain walks are more suitable at this time of year, as the heat is not as pronounced at altitude. Optimal times for lowland walks are between mid-September and November.
Mallorca is a walker’s paradise for everyone, big or small, experienced or beginner. Exploring the island on foot gives you the opportunity to gain completely new insights. Time seems to have stood still in some places and the interplay of sea and mountains, flora and fauna and people shows itself from a completely new side.
Good Preparation is Everything
Generally, cairns or coloured dots mark the various hiking trails on Mallorca. However, many of them are not well marked or signposted. Therefore, you should always make sure you have a good hiking map with you or have downloaded the route beforehand so that it can also be accessed offline.
You should not be put off by the fact that the trail partly leads across private property. If there is no sign at a gate saying “Prohibit pasar” (No passage!) or “Vedat privat de caça / Coto privado de caza” (Private hunting ground), the path can be passed without hesitation.
Furthermore, the landscape should not be underestimated. As the landscape is very dry, it is easy to slip on the rocks and boulders and injure yourself. It is the same after heavy rainfall. Since the dry soil of the island cannot absorb water well, the ground can be very slippery.
Good walking shoes are therefore a must for any excursion, even for short distances. Also essential are enough water, sunscreen with a high sun protection factor, and headgear, even on cloudy days. The Mediterranean sun should never be underestimated.
Hikes through Mallorca’s Serra de Tramuntana
In the following we have selected 3 different hiking tours for you, where you can best discover the mountain world of the Tramuntana by walking.
Hiking through the Tramuntana around Valldemossa
The first tour recommendation starts in the picturesque mountain village of Valldemossa, in the northwest of the island, near Sóller. The village is a popular starting point for various interesting hiking tours in the area. For hiking fans, we recommend a large circular tour of about 14 kilometres and an ascent of over 770 metres.
The circular route leads through rustic forests of holm oaks on the north coast over the Caragoli mountain ridge and then up to Mallorca’s highest peak, El Teix.
The circular route also takes you along the so-called Archduke’s Path from the 19th century, which was built at the time as a bridle path for Archduke Ludwig Salvador.
Along impressive panoramic views of the mountains of Valldemossa and the coast, this route will delight every hiking fan.
Another highlight of this circular route is the Mirador de Can Costa viewpoint, the Pla des Pouet plateau and the summit of Talaia Vella.
At a glance
- Length: 14 kilometres
- Ascent: over 770 metres in altitude
- Highlights
- Mirador de Can Costa viewpoint
- Plateau of the Pla des Pouet (685 m)
- Shelter (19th century) on the summit of Talaia Vella (868 m)
Circular path to the Puig des Tossals Verds
In the north of the island of Mallorca, near the town of Inca, a hiking trail leads around the Tossals Verds massif. With a length of 14.6 kilometres, an ascent and descent of 854 metres each and mostly rocky climbs, the circular trail is only suitable for experienced hikers with good surefootedness, a head for heights and good shoes. Adventure seekers and all fans of demanding tours with large differences in altitude will get their money’s worth here. In good weather conditions, the trail is passable from April to October and leads over rocky ridges, through wild gorges and shady forest paths. On this remote and less frequented route, magnificent mountain panoramas alternate with rugged peaks and quiet reservoirs. For a well-deserved break during this hike, the catered Refugi Tossals Verds is a good place to stop.
At a glance
- Length: 14.6 km
- Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes
- Ascent: 854 m
- Highlights
- Adventurous gorge crossing via Pas Llis
- Managed Refugi Tossals Verds hut
- Optional ascent of Puig des Tossals Verds (1,118 m)
Port de Sóller to the Cúber reservoir – the most beautiful hike in Mallorca
Several exciting hiking trails start from the port of Port de Sóller in the northwest of Mallorca. You can hike over lightly wooded land between fields and olive trees to the northern edge of Sóller. With a length of 5 kilometres and a duration of about 1 hour and 15 minutes, this hike is ideal for an excursion with the whole family. In between, you can take a short break with a glass of organic orange juice.
For those who want to hike a little further, we recommend one of the most beautiful hikes from here, from Sóller to the Cúber reservoir. The hiking trail is about 11.4 kilometres long and leads through a beautiful and varied landscape, past orange plantations, ancient pilgrims’ paths and shady forests. From Sóller, a paved path leads into the mountains of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Serra de Tramuntana, through the Barranc de Biniaraix gorge and the Coll de l’Ofre pass. At the end of the hike, which takes about 4 hours, you will be rewarded with a fantastic view of the reservoir.
At a glance
- Length: 11.4 kilometres
- Duration: 4 hours
- Difficulty level: easy
- Highlights
- Barranc de Biniaraix gorge
- Coll de l’Ofre pass
- Cúber reservoir
- Regional organic orange juice
Hiking Tours past Mallorca’s most beautiful Calas and Beaches
On beautiful Majorca, it is not only the Serra de Tramuntana with its impressive mountains and fantastic panoramas that offers itself as a hiking region. Many of the most beautiful hiking routes are located directly on the island’s steep coast and numerous beaches. From here, there is an almost unbelievable view of the sea and the cliffs of the steep coast.
Hiking for the whole family: Port de Pollença to Vall de Bóquer
The first hike we would like to recommend to you is an easy hike for the whole family. It leads from the port of Port de Pollença to the bay of Cala Bóquer. The well-signposted route leads along gravel paths and mountain trails, where there are no great differences in altitude to overcome. There is plenty for the little ones to discover along the way. Mediterranean plants such as rosemary and St. John’s wort grow along the rock faces. One or two dwarf palms can also be found along the path. In spring and autumn, there is also a fantastic opportunity to spot rare bird species, such as Bonelli’s eagles or black vultures.
After the hike through the Bóquer valley, a wide path leads down to the bay, where you can stop and take time to refresh yourself in the turquoise waters before heading back to Pollença. The whole tour takes about 2 hours and is a highlight especially for inexperienced hikers.
At a glance
- Duration: approx. 2 hours
- Level of difficulty: easy
- Highlights
- Wildlife watching
- Bathing in Cala Bóquer
Cap de Cala Figuera in the southwest of Mallorca
The bathing paradise with the three bays of Portals Vells with its three beaches Platja del Mago, Platja del Rei and Platja de Portals Vells is not only ideal for a dip in the cool water, but also offers interesting paths for climbing and hiking with its sandy rocks separating the beaches.
From Cala de Portals Vells, a path leads to the caves of Portals Vells, the Ses Coves de Mare de Déu (Caves of the Mother of God). From there, another coastal walk leads to Cap de Sa Cala Figuera with the Far de Cala Figuera lighthouse. Even though the lighthouse is not directly accessible, there is a fantastic view of the sea from here.
At a glance
- Length: 3.2 kilometres
- Duration: approx. 50 minutes
- Level of difficulty: easy
- Highlights
- Caves of Portals Vells
- Far de Cala Figuera lighthouse
Cala Mesquida in the east of Mallorca
The next hiking route combines everything a hiker’s heart could wish for. With a little effort and phenomenal views, it leads in the east of Mallorca from the beach of Cala Agulla in Cala Ratjada to the turquoise blue bay of Cala Mesquida.
The hiking trail starts at the northern end of Cala Agulla beach and leads well signposted and marked by red dots up to the old watchtower Talaia Son Jaumell. From there you can enjoy a magnificent view of both bays, Cala Agulla on one side and Cala Mesquida on the other. After a short photo stop, the descent towards Cala Mesquida begins, first via a steep path, later a flatter one, which turns into a wooden footbridge leading over the sand dunes. Here you are greeted by the turquoise waters and white sandy beach of Cala Mesquida.
At a glance
- Length: 7.7 kilometres
- Duration: approx. 3 hours 15 minutes
- Difficulty: medium
- Highlights
- Beaches with Caribbean feeling
- Talaia Son Jaumell watchtower
- Mountain goats on the way back through the forest
