THE BINIARAIX RAVINE AND THE RESERVOIR CUBER
TECHNICAL DATA Tour Type: Hiking Geographical area: The north of Mallorca Nearest town: Sóller Difficulty: Medium Duration / Total distance: 5.00 h-11 km Starting point: Font d'es Noguer Circuit: No Maximum altitude: 1023 m Minimum altitude: 156 m Difference in altitude: -800 m Recommended season: All seasons
It is perhaps the most beautiful and most complete one of the numerous trails leading through the valley of Sóller and the Serra de Tramuntana (Tramuntana mountain range). The impressive traditional architecture, which accompanies us for many miles in a zigzag on paved paths, and immersing us in a unique scene of rocks, cliffs and slopes, and let us discover a veritable monument to the human race, can show us that the union between nature and manmade works is not necessarily destructive. This area was declared of cultural interest (BIC = Bien of Interest Cultural) in 1984. The Biniaraix ravine is located in the south eastern point of Sóller and it constitutes a different kind of landscape by their geomorphological features. The ravine is a karst gorge that is shaped by the action of water. The slopes of the gorge, which are organized into small agricultural areas, have been extensively graded terraces in order to use it mainly for the cultivation of olive trees in sporadic alternation with other dried fruits such as carob and almond trees. Sheep graze on these olive groves and sometimes there are small fruit and vegetable gardens.
This trail through the Biniaraix ravine has always been the most important link between the valley of Sóller to the valleys of Ofre Cuber, or the Monastery of Lluch or Orient. An extensive network of paved roads (Cami Vell, the Verger de Can Fusta, de S'Aladern, etc.) constitutes the structure of the terraced fields. From the perspective of the cultural heritage of dry stone walls, the gorge is an example of the integration of these constructs in the open nature. The dry-stone technique is essential for agricultural use, and solves problems of refuge and shelter, property lines, water supply, access, etc. The technical characteristics of the plots of Biniaraix ravine are those of the rocky slopes and their strong inclination.
Due to the strong inclination in general outweigh the narrow terraces and minimally elaborated walls. The construction of the “marges” has created a habitat for a variety of animals and plants, which find shelter and have settled into the holes in the plaster. A particular example is the small ferns of the Asplenium group, who has found in this habitat an ideal place for its progression and formation of biodiversity, and so has developed numerous species, many of them are native or less common types. In addition, here are represented abundant plant species that are unique for the Mallorcan mountains, such as Orval, the Didalera, Estepa Joana, Ginesta that Maçanella, Violeta de Penyal (rock viola), etc.
SA COSTERA – From the viewpoint Ses Barques to Cala Tuent
TECHNICAL DATA Tour Type: Hiking Geographical area: The north of Mallorca Nearest town: Sóller Difficulty: High Duration / Total distance: 5.00 h-12 km Starting point: Viewpoint Ses Barques Circuit: No Maximum altitude: 400 m Minimum altitude: 3 m Difference in altitude: 300 m Recommended season: All seasons
This is an exceptionally beautiful coastal route with two very different sections: First, we pass through olive terraces and later we make our way on the North Coast with spectacular panoramic views. This leads us to a thousand year old olive groves and the possessions Balitx, past fountains and towers. Here, the source of Verger is worth mentioning because of being the richest one with water on the island, where remnants of the first hydroelectric plant in Mallorca can be seen, which once has supplied Sóller with energy. Beautiful coastal landscapes lead us to Cala Tuent, one of the few beaches in the Tramuntana mountain range.. This route consists in walking the main connection route – apart from the sea route-between Soller and Cala Tuent and Sa Calobra. We walk along the old road from Bàlitx which has its origin in Soller, we climb up to the property Bàlitx d'Amunt between olive groves, and then the trail leads us down into the valley to Balitx D'Avall. On the coast road from Na Cavallera we reach Coll de Biniamar where we are in the municipality of Escorca and at first we go to Sa Costera on the path of the same name, and later to the houses of S'Electricitat and Cala Tuent. We start the tour at the Ses Barques viewpoint with stunning views of the Tramuntana mountain range and over Port of Sóller. The step-shaped and marked hiking trail leads us by a hundred year old olive groves on the first few miles. Arriving at the estate Bàlitx d'Amunt we continue to Bàlitx d'Es Mig and reach Balitx D'Avall. Then we start the ascent of a hill, whose characteristic vegetation is designated by oaks. We cross the hill and go down again though the oak forest. Near the beginning of the paved road leading to Cala Tuent we will have breathtaking views over the coast. After half an hour on the trail with slight ups and downs we get to the bifurcation of the Fuente d'Es Verger. The source is located about 15 minutes along the path on the left side near the coast. The high water levels made possible the construction of the power plant, which has supplied Sóller with energy up to 1962. In 2008 there was built a submarine pipeline, which transports the water to Port de Sóller in order to bring it from there to all parts of the island. After this bifurcation the trail rises gradually.
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LLUCLLUC-VOLTES GALILEUGALILEU-MASANELLA
TECHNICAL DATA Tour Type: Hiking Geographical area: The north of Mallorca Nearest town: Lluc Difficulty: High Duration / Total distance: 6.00 h-17 km Starting point: Urbanization Son Massip Circuit: Yes Maximum altitude: 1350 m Minimum altitude: 485 m Difference in altitude: 1137 m Recommended season: Spring, autumn and winter
With its 1365 meters it is the second highest peak in the Balearic Islands. El Massanella is the highest mountain to be climbed by hikers on Majorca because on the Puig Major (1445m) there was built a military base and for this reason the access is prohibited. From the summit we have stunning views over the reservoirs Cuber and Gorg Blau and all the Tramuntana mountain range with its awe-inspiring mountains. Here we find an important centre of the snow houses, casas de nieve. We start in the urbanization Son Massip (Road C-710 Km.22, 80 from Lluc to S贸ller). The trail leads us through a beautiful oak forest, which makes us constantly gaining altitude and enjoying impressive vegetation. A little farther on begins the paved road, which extends winding almost to the top and is called the "de Ses Voltes Galileu" what it is an impressive demonstration of these so typical dry stone walls. We will see the first snow house in Son Massip, they are used for the production and storage of ice, which later is sold in the villages. The trail leads to a peak of Galileu, while the identification of both peaks in the cartography is unclear: the first is Sa Mola (1188m, although it is measured by the military cartography with 1159 m), and the second is Galileu (1182, also when military reported only 1126 m). From both peaks you see the Torrent de Pareis, the Migdia-rock and the Puig Major. Subsequently we descend to the south in the direction of the summit Coll de Massanella, and from there up to the top of Puig des Massanella (1364m). We descend towards the same mountain pass, but when we arrived there we take the right trail downwards, which takes us back to the starting point, Coll de Sa Batalla. The snow houses were constructed for storage of snow and were used from the eighteenth century up into the twentieth century. In the area around the Galileu and the Massanella there are many of them, some on public land and private property. Most of the deposits are located above thousand metres, only two are located at an altitude of 810 and 825 meters. In order to make them more accessible, special roads were constructed specifically for this purpose.
SANT TELM - SA TRAPA
TECHNICAL DATA Tour Type: Hiking Geographical area: The south east of Mallorca Nearest town: Sant Elm- Andratx Difficulty: Medium Duration / Total distance: 3.30 h-11 km Starting point: Sant El006D Circuit: Yes Maximum altitude: 361 m Minimum altitude: 2 m Difference in altitude: 700 m Recommended season: Spring, autumn and winter
This is a circuit along a coastal area of great beauty. From La Trapa (the ruins of a Trappist monastery) and throughout the entire descent, we enjoy a breathtakingly view over the island Dragonera. Other attractions include the ancient monastery of La Trapa and Sant Elm, a small tourist town with a beautiful beach. We will have the possibility to extend the tour by visiting the Tower of Cala en Basset.
La Trapa, located in the extreme southwest of the Serra de Tramuntana, just opposite the island Dragonera in the municipality of Andratx is a manor of great cultural and ecological interest. The name La Trapa has its roots in the community of Trappist monks who settled the area in 1810 escaping the French Revolution. In 1980, the Environmental Association GOB acquired the nature reserve of La Trapa by public subscription and took over its construction and reforestation, especially after the devastating fire of 1994, which has wiped out the entire natural vegetation. Currently, this area is devoted mainly to the nature conservation, natural science, the expansion of hiking and nature and environmental education in the area. During the visit of La Trapa, apart from the natural elements such as rocks, vegetation and bird life, there should be paid special attention to the houses with their environment and terraces, the water pit, the mill and the viewpoint. The monastery La Trapa. In the valley of Sant Josep forty Trappist monks found refuge after having been expelled from the Normandy in the course of the French Revolution in 1789, and Santa Susana de Maella by Napoleon in 1808.
The terraces and simple buildings of the monastery were built in ten years only. The Trappist monks were strict vegetarians and were not allowed to talk to each other. Since the contact with the indigenous population was prohibited, the monk who collected alms and food in the neighbourhood was to live separately from the rest of the community.
DEIADEIA-LLUCALCARILLUCALCARI- RUTA D’ES PINTORS
TECHNICAL DATA Tour Type: Hiking Geographical area: The north of Mallorca Nearest town: Deiá Difficulty: Medium Duration / Total distance: 5.00 h-18 km Starting point: Deiá Circuit: Yes Maximum altitude: 266 m Minimum altitude: 50 m Difference in altitude: 350 m Recommended season: Spring, autumn and winter
This is a tour, which is characterized by breathtaking views of the sea. We start the hike in the cove next to the gorge of Deia. From there we will walk the old camino de Pintors (the painters ‘way) towards Llucalcari, whose name has its origin in the fact that the artworks of many artists have been inspired by the charming ocean and mountains.
The road runs parallel to the coast along a simply enchanting and very photogenic path, the reason why all the painters residing in Deiá used this place in order to immortalize themselves in their artworks. Approximately three quarters of an hour after starting the hike, we can look down on a small bay with stones. At this small beach there is a spring from which the water gets out in a brick, and this is the only beach on the island, where you can find a spring that has water in summer. On this beach you will find a certain tone-mud that some people apply to the entire body. A little further behind the beach there is a small pier, and behind it is a fantastic piece of earth where you can swim in a kind of natural reservoir formed of rocks. We go on to Bens de Avall, where the cliff line of Cap Gros begins. The way back takes us on the Cami de Castelló and Camí del Rost. The “Cami de Castello” is part of the old road network, which connects Soller to Deia, and it links the various possessions lying on this path. This road has its beginning in Deia and its ending in Alquería de Castelló. The remaining way to Soller, we travel on the so-called "Cami del Rost." Together, the two ways result in a distance of about 8 km that lead partly along paved paths and steps. Before the construction of the contemporary road, this was a very important and highly frequented connection.
Since the twenties the village of Deiá is a typical residence of a variety of artists and bohemians, Robert Graves, Mike Oldfield and Andrew Lloyd Webber chose Deiá for their refuge. The village has quiet cafes, charming restaurants and shops where you can purchase arts and crafts. Deiá´s cemetery is the highest point of the village, where you have a view over the entire valley. "La Foradada", the great rock with a hole or "eye" is one of the most beautiful and popular images of this coastal area. The defense towers of d'Amunt can, Simó and Apolloni are all located on this piece of coast between Deia and Llucalcari. .
CAMI DE S’ARXIDUC(ES TEIX)
TECHNICAL DATA Tour Type: Hiking Geographical area: The northwest of Mallorca Nearest town: Valldemossa Difficulty: Medium Duration / Total distance: 4.30 h-14 km Starting point: Valldemossa Circuit: Yes Maximum altitude: 1064 m Minimum altitude: 400 m Difference in altitude: +990/ -949 Recommended season: All seasons
This is one of the most beautiful Mallorca tours. Although not one of the highest peaks of the island, the Puig des Teix (the name was given by the large number of yew trees, which were once near the summit, nowadays a few ones) is one of the most visited mountains. Besides the extensive oak forests, the main attraction is the spectacular "Cami de S'Arxiduc" (archduke´s way), which has been built at the end of the 19th Century on the ridge. The building was commissioned by the Archduke Luis Salvador, a member of the Austrian imperial family, who spent long years in his possessions here in Mallorca located between Valldemossa and Deia from 1867 to 1915.
At the end of the Ses Oliveres road we walk on a loop-shaped path until we reach a separation wall, which gives us access to a flat area and a glade in the forest with a water reservoir (Es Pla des Pouet). There are many paths at this glade, but our turns right just before reaching the water reservoir and leads us in about 10 minutes to Coll de Son Gallard (766 m. N39 43 701 37 336 E2). We continue, pass by a hiking trail on our right hand side and at the next bifurcation we turn left along to the edge of the ridge. From here, we enjoy an incomparable panoramic view on the north coast, the Sa Foradada Peninsula and along the north coast to Port de Sóller. The trail continues for about 20 minutes away on the ridge, and shortly after the road widens a bit, we see a large collection of bricks on our left hand side: This is the marker to the way down to Deiá, but this is not our route. We go straight for a while and see a sign for the ascent of Puig del Teix, we leave it on the left, as we continue the tour. The trail descends steeply until we reach a separation wall. On the ensuing bifurcations we always take the right branch until we reach the urbanization, and here we go straight ahead.
History: When the Archduke Ludwig Salvator of Austria ordered the construction of Camí S'Arxiduc, he created one of the most beautiful routes that you can hike on Mallorca. The unique scenery blends to a major natural wealth, and the presence of many native plants needs to be emphasized. When the Archduke visited Majorca, he fell in love with the island and its landscape, remained here buying more possessions, which made him owner of the major part of the coastline between Valldemossa and Deia, where he had built and restored several houses including S'Estaca , Miramar and Son Marroig.
ES GALATZÓ
TECHNICAL DATA Tour Type: Hiking Geographical area: The southwest of Mallorca Nearest town: Estellencs Difficulty: Medium Duration / Total distance: 4.30 h-11 km Starting point: km 97 of the road MA-10 (between Andratx and Estellencs) Circuit: Yes Maximum altitude: 1027 m Minimum altitude: 282 m Difference in altitude: 700 m Recommended season: Spring, autumn and winter
The Puig de Galatzó is, with its 1027 meters, one of the unique and iconic mountains of the island of Mallorca. This mountain is located in the west between Estellencs, Puigpunyent and Calvia. His head is mostly surrounded by clouds in form of hat, and there is only one geodesic point, a landmark that separates possessions that are forming the mountain: Son Fortuny (Estellencs), Son Net (Puigpunyent) and Galatzó (Calvia). Due to his impressive form, because of the unique weather conditions around him, the presence of prehistoric caves of holy worship, and because he has been witness to some past episodes of violence, the Puig de Galatzó is surrounded by a wide repertoire of legends, myths and anecdotes , which gives him a magical, magnetic and ghostly atmosphere. It is said that the Lords of Galatzó, Son Fortuny and Son Net gather at a stone table on its top, without being forced to leave their property. Another popular legend is that of the Earl Mal, who- condemned for his cruelty- is riding around for eternity in every night of the year wrapped in flames on a black horse. The route is characterized by its vegetation, which includes among other species: oak, juniper, rosemary, socarrell and abundant quantities of citrange. Furthermore, the view needs to be emphasized, a view to the north coast and the ruins of the ancient buildings that once were constructed related to the coal production that can be seen along the way. The view from this altitude is breathtaking. To the north we see the village of Estellencs and the sea. In the northeast la Mola de Planícia and most part of the Tramuntana mountain range, including the Puig Major. To the east lie the villages of the region of Pla de Mallorca and on a clear day you can see the Sierra de Levant. In the southeast, we see the municipalities of Puigpunyent and Palma with the Randa mountain in the background and on the horizon we see Cabo Blanco, and on very clear days, the archipelago of Cabrera. In the south we see the coast of Calvia with clear reference points, such as the village Capdellá and the Malgrat islands. To the southwest lies Puerto de Andratx, and on clear days you can see up to Ibiza. And in the west La Mola S´Esclop. It is no wonder that the Puig de Galatzó is considered one of the best natural vantage points of the island and the ascent to the summit is one of the most popular trips is to be made in Mallorca.
Ascent to Penya d’es Migdia and Talaia d’Alcúdia
TECHNICAL DATA Tour Type: Hiking Geographical area: The north of Mallorca Nearest town: Alcudia Difficulty: Medium Duration / Total distance: 5.00 h-10 km Starting point: Ermita de la Victoria (Victory´s Chapel) Circuit: Yes Maximum altitude: 444 m Minimum altitude: 55 m Difference in altitude: 700 m Recommended season: All seasons
For hiking it is the most attractive of the three headlands in the north of the island (Formentor and Pinar Ferrutx). This is a public property on the Cap des Pinar, where we find forests, rocks, caves, coves and ancient watchtowers used for defense. The described trail leads us past the most spectacular places. We start from the Ermita de la Victoria (see Tour 1 - Alcudia to La Victoria how to get to the hermitage). We take the road towards La Talaia. After 15 minutes by foot and after a sharp curve, on the left side there is a sign to the “Penya des Migdia". This route leads to the Talaia plain what is situated below a large cliff. From here a path leads uphill to a platform what is almost on the highest point. From this platform, a branch leads to the left, down to the Puig des Boc and El Coll Baix. After another five minutes straight uphill, we reach the highest point of the community, Sa Talaia d'Alcudia On top of the mountain Sa Talaia at an altitude of 446 meters with a view over the two bays surrounding the municipality, we find a tower. These are the ruins of Sa Talaia de la Victoria, which was begun in 1567 and finally demolished in 1936. The construction was part of the series of towers and watchtowers that were strategically located along the coast and were used for coastal surveillance and warning of dangers, by smoke signals by day and fire by night. Its strategic location allowed the rapid transmission of messages up to the government center located in Palma. This system was perfected in the late sixteenth century by Joan Binimelis, a Mallorcan mathematician and astronomer, and it is very similar to what had been established on other parts of the Mediterranean coasts in order to counter the Turkish threat. Messages were sent out from Sa Talaia with flags on long poles to Alcudia. The tower was round and contained only one room under the roof, which was protected by a wall built on a console. The entrance door was at a certain height, and was to be reached by a wooden ladder and a rope, which were drawn up in case of danger. To complete the defense installation there was opened a window with a spear above the door. Two guards kept watching out, who were lightly armed, because their task was not the defense.
Colonia Sant Jordi– Cabo Salinas – Cala Marmols
TECHNICAL DATA Tour Type: Hiking Geographical area: The south of Mallorca Nearest town: Colonia de San Jordi Difficulty: Light Duration / Total distance: 4.00 h-13 km Starting point: Colonia de San Jordi Circuit: No Maximum altitude: 14 m Minimum altitude: 38 m Difference in altitude: 84 m Recommended season: All seasons
At the southern tip of Mallorca, surrounded by the coastal reserve Migjorn, are some of the most spectacular and unspoilt beaches of Mallorca. Although the most famous among them is Es Trenc, but the beaches Es Carbó and Es Caragol deserve special attention and they are less crowded, because they are only accessible by foot or by the sea. The most interesting points along this route are the beaches of Es Caragol, Cala en Tugores, Es Carbó, Es Dofí, Can Curt and Es Dols, as well as the islands En Curt, Na Pelada, Na Moltona and Na Guardi. The entire route is very beautiful, on the way alternate areas of low rocky coastline with sandy soils and pine forests, some sections in which we find shelter from the sun. The characteristic vegetation of this habitat, the clean water and the panorama of the area form the archipelago of Cabrera on the horizon set up a real unique landscape. We get to the impressive lighthouse at Cap de Ses Salines, which currently harbors a coastal research station of the IMEDEA. Depending on your level of exhaustion, at this point there will be decided if the tour ends here or will continue over a distance of 6 km (3 forth and 3 back) to the beautiful beach of Cala Marmols, which is a feast for the eye. The continental shelf, that constitutes the background to the coastal reserve Migjorn, is covered with carbonate sediments (sand). Biological communities that evolve in this substrate, are the seagrass meadows (Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa), that develop a high biological productivity, which serves as nurseries for many species in the interests of fishermen, as the families of red calcareous algae ("Maërl" ), corals and molluscs (mussels, snails). Between Cape of Ses Salines and Cala Figuera, there is to be emphasized the existence of large-scale coastal areas detrital soils, which are the most important fishing grounds of the Raors (Xyrichthys novacula), a sand wrasse, and the species related to him (Bothus pruning, Trachinus spp.).
Circuit to the Puig de Tossals
TECHNICAL DATA Tour Type: Hiking Geographical area: The north of Mallorca Nearest town: Sóller Difficulty: Medium Duration / Total distance: 6.00 h-12 km Starting point: Reservoir Cúber Circuit: Yes Maximum altitude: 906 m Minimum altitude: 519 m Difference in altitude: 535 m Recommended season: All seasons
This trail starts at the reservoir Cúber, takes us through the Tramuntana mountain range and exists in circulating the mountain Puig Tossals Verds. The tour runs through the heart of the Tramuntana mountain range, which has been declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010. At the reservoir we go to its head, then down on the left side of the slope where the trail follows the water line. The slope is extreme in some sections, and we will find five tunnels on the way down. Upon reaching the lowest point we make our way to the left on the long-distance trail GR-221 and keep going, what leads us to an ascent through olive groves to the refuge of Tossals Verds. Here we go on along the path on the right that leads us to Lluc. After the ascent we pass near the fountain Sa Bass, which is about 30 meters to the right of our path. The Puig de Massanella to our right, we pass through an oak forest and will pass a gate shortly after, reach the ravine Torrent des Prat, and then make a detour to the left in order to get to Sa Font des Noguer. We continue our way through the oak forest and get to the point where you can ascend to the summit of Tossals Verds. We do not do so, but continue on our path to reach the water channel, and here we have a beautiful view of the reservoirs Gorg Blau and the Puig Major, before we finally get back to our starting point.
The main physical elements of the Tramuntana mountain range are the following:
1. An abrupt mountain relief with an elevational gradient up to 1,450 meters, very close to the sea, formed of very hard limestone rock on which there is a karst area with creeks, canyons and other karstic formations, as well as a system of Mediterranean waters consisting in aquifers and springs. 2. A Mediterranean continental climate characterized by hot, dry summers and mild winters with irregular rainfall. 3. Mediterranean forest vegetation, in which the oak (Quercion ilicis) occurs as climatic plant community, that in less humid areas is replaced by a heat-loving wild olive bush (oleo Ceratonion), which occurs very frequently in the Mediterranean, and which has settled in those areas where there are no more oak forests. The Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis), related with the maquis, occurs as a single species and is very common.
4. An abundant wild fauna and endemic species marked by the double insularity caused by the presence of a mountainous biogeographical region relatively isolated from the rest of the territory of Mallorca Island within an insular space.