Hiking in the Serra de Tramuntana: A Quick 8-Day Guide
Mallorca is loved by walkers from around the world for good reason. With spring and autumn presenting perfect climate for hikes, it is not only the lure of the beautiful mountains and passes of the Serra de Tramuntana that attracts visitors but also the natural parks and wildlife reserves that can be found. Wonderful views and bracing exercise is just part of the allure, for those wishing to explore the nature, history, culture and cuisine of this diverse area, then hiking in the Serra de Tramuntana cannot be beaten.
For outdoor enthusiasts armed with just a guidebook and a map, hiking in the Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a challenge with plenty of rewards. The GR221, otherwise known as the ‘Dry Stone Walk, is an eight-stage walking route starting from Port D’Andratx on the far west coast of Mallorca and finishing in Pollensa a distance of nearly 90km away as the crow flies.
This is the longest hiking path within the Balearics and keen walkers and hikers can spend seven days in the Tramuntana Mountains staying at a selection of refuges, guesthouses and hotels along the way or in one of the nearby amazing towns or villages. By visiting places of historical, cultural, scientific and natural interest along route GR221 it is possible to cover a total distance of nearly 150km.
As a general guide, what follows is a possible route from Andratx to Pollensa on foot.
Hiking in the Serra de Tramuntana: Route Notes for the GR221
Please note that these are general bullet points of the route. You will need to look at route maps and guidebooks for full detailed directions, and have these with you on your walk. These are integral, while there are signposts and cairns and paint markers, the turn offs and paths can be easily missed.
Day 1: Port d'Andratx to Sant Elm to La Trapa
- Start at Port d’Andratx, a picturesque harbour town.
- Follow the cairns and paint markers (there are no actual signposts) for GR221 towards Sant Elm.
- Enjoy coastal views and pass through quaint villages.
- This part of the walk should take 2 hours 30 minutes. Enjoy lunch in this quaint seaside town.
- From Sant Elm head to La Trapa taking in the Can Tomevi, forest and beach paths along the way.
- This part should take 1 hour 15 minutes.
Day 2: La Trapa to Estellencs
- Depart from La Trapa and head for Coll de sa Gremola.
- Start on the dirt track, and after a sharp bend to the right, take a footpath on the left.
- Head for the Cape Punta Fabioler.
- Take one of two paths to the Coll de sa Gremola, the walk should take 1 hour 45 minutes.
- After a break, head off for the Refugi de Sa Coma d’en Vidal.
- This stage takes over 4 hours. Follow cairns and two stiles that lead you to Pas d’en Ponsa and Font des Quer.
- Follow a series of downhill paths to reach the Refugi de Sa Coma d’en Vidal.
- After a quick stop at the refugi, head to a downhill zigzag track, eventually reaching a forest path and Estellencs will appear on your left.
Day 3: Estellencs to Banyalbufar to Esporles
- Leave Estellencs and take the main road to Banyalbufar, taking a footpath to the house of Son Serralta de Dalt.
- From there take a path through forest, taking a left path at a fork in the road.
- Keep walking until reaching the house of Es Rafal, from there Banyalbufar is just a short walk away.
- This should take 2 hours 30 minutes.
- After enjoying lunch in Banyalbufar, head off for the Cami des Correu which leads you to Esporles.
- You will encounter a steep cobbled path until you get to a forest path.
- A winding forest path will take you downhill until you reach Esporles.
Day 4: Esporles to Valldemossa to Deià (Refugi de Can Boi)
- Depart Esporles and take the road to Son Cabaspre then right (Camí des Bosc) up a paved track.
- After a long stretch, take a dirt track on the right. This is about an hour’s walk.
- After this there are a few turns and paths that eventually lead you to the pass Coll de Sant Jordi, then after passing through a gate you will reach Sa Comuna de Valldemossa, and a zigzag path will take you down to Valldemossa town.
- This first stage takes 3 hours.
- The trek from Valldemossa to Deia is a challenging one with a steep climb out of Valldemossa and a steady downhill to Deia.
- Passing through olive groves and terraced hillsides as well as high mountain seaviews, this will take just over 4 hours.
- Explore the artistic community of Deià, favoured by poets and musicians, and get a good night’s rest at Refugi de Can Boi.
Day 5: Deià to Sóller
- The hike from Deià to Sóller follows an old footpath that dates back to the 10th Century when the island was ruled by Arabs.
- Along this path you will pass the houses of Can Prohom and the Chapel of Castello.
- After these landmarks head left towards the restaurant Bens d’Avall.
- After a glorious walk through some olive groves you arrive at the path down towards the refugi.
- This should take just 3 hours 30 minutes. A quiet day after yesterday and before the next days challenge.
Day 6: Puerto Sóller to Soller to Barranc de Biniaraix to L’Ofre to Cuber Reservoir to Tossals Verds Refuge
- This mammoth day starts with an hour and a half walk to Soller. It’s clearly signposted.
- The next stage is the barranc de Biniaraix, a steady upwards climb on cobbled steps.
- After 2 hours of walking past olive terraces and along the stream you will reach the house of L’Ofre.
- Head for the Coll de L’Ofre and take the path to the Cuber Reservoir.
- From here you can make your way down to Tossals Verds Refugi where you can spend the night, immersed in nature.
Day 7: Tossals Verds Refuge to Lluc Monastery
- Leave Tossals Verds Refuge and make your way to Font des Prat, a 1-hour gentle walk.
- Leaving this spring, the path leads all the way to Lluc.
- Along the way you will pass holm oak forests and some amazing views.
- The climb is long and windy but opens up to expansive views out onto the sea.
- When you reach the Coll des Prat, the views are second to none. Here you will find an ancient snow pit.
- The last part of the trek takes you into the valley and up the Puig d’en Galileu before the lengthy and breezy descent along the stone path to Lluc. Get there before 5pm and enjoy a choral rehearsal in the church.
Day 8: Lluc Monastery to Pollensa
- This linear walk from Lluc Monastery is a glorious descent through pine forest, more holm oak woods and rocky trails.
- Most of the hike is on wide and clearly marked paths.
- Start on the walk down to Son Amer Refugi, from there the path is clear all the way to Pollensa.
Hiking in the Serra de Tramuntana — or the Dry Stone Walk, or the GR221 — rewards you with all the views, the challenges and fresh air and exercise you can dream of. The hike will take you along all terrain from uphill climbs to breezy forest walks, from cliffs to valleys. Furthermore, there are many diversions you can add on such as extra hill walks and beach diversions so each time you take on the GR221 you are guaranteed a different and rewarding hike each time you come.
For more about hiking in the Serra de Tramuntana and the rest of Mallorca take a look at our hiking section.
