Hiking and climbing in Mallorca - pure adventure

Far away from the party zones, beaches and shops and malls, Mallorca's whole topography comes from and is in some way part of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range. The highest mountain Puig Major stands a lofty 1,445 metres above sea level, making it the highest mountain on the island. The Serra de Tramuntana is sparsely populated and is an El Dorado for hikers and climbing enthusiasts.

Hiking in Mallorca: Outdoor adventures under a Spanish sun

Stretching 90km, the mountain range of Serra de Tramuntana runs parallel to the whole northwest coast of Mallorca. The mountain region owes its name to the whistling winds from the north, whose distinctive sounds whether vigorous or gentle can always be heard on the high plateaus. Here lies the much cited "real Mallorca": A world of dry stone walls, rocky ridges, olive groves and holm oak forests, far from the beaches, hotel complexes and nightlife. Spring and autumn, especially, are the best seasons for hiking in Mallorca. Many outdoor sports enthusiasts start hikes and treks at the monastery at Lluc. The monastery is located in the heart of the Tramuntana and has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries.

In addition to the mountainous north-west of the island, the rugged coastal Serres de Llevant is a great draw for outdoor types. It stretches from Felanitx in the southeast to Cap de Ferrutx on the northeast coast and offers some of the most beautiful trails in Mallorca. A real insider tip is to hike along the cliffs in the south of the island. Starting in S'Almunia, where the path leads to the cliffs after climbing a set of stone steps and a short walk on the beach, this three-hour hike takes you past the ruins of old watchtowers to the marble bay of Cala Marmols, where a thoroughly deserved dip in the Mediterranean is your reward.

Trekking tours in the Tramuntana mountains and the Serra de Llevant

Die-hard outdoor lovers may not be content with a hike that just lasts several hours. That is why multi-day trekking tours experiencing the wilderness of Mallorca are available where steep ascents, scree-filled gullies and canyons await you. One of the most popular and strenuous among the trekking tours in Mallorca is the 150 km long Dry Stone Route in the Serra de Tramuntana. From Andratx on the south-west coast to Pollença in the north-west, the GR 221 long-distance hiking trail leads through spectacular mountain scenery.

A seasoned hiker should plan about six days to complete the famous route. The Dry Stone Route is named after the numerous dry stone walls along the way that will see you pass through pine groves and holm oak forests as the GR 221 winds its way through rocky terrain before the fertile "Valley of Gold" opens up at Sóller with its tens of thousands of orange trees.

In addition, trekking tours through the coastal mountains of Serra de Llevant on the east coast of Mallorca are a treat. Palm trees, almond trees and olive groves line the paths in the mountain ridge, where the highest peaks rise to 600 metres high. The trekking paths themselves will take you up to altitudes of 560 metres. A popular starting point lies in the northeast of the island on the road that leads from Artà to the Hermitage of Betlem.

Climbing in Mallorca: Between tuff rocks and shell limestone

Steep and not for the faint-hearted, the rugged rock face of the pillar of Albahida rises 200 metres high and is to be found in the popular climbing region of Sa Gubia. Albahida can get battered by wind and water and is essentially a steep natural wall in Mallorca's main climbing location. Sa Gubia is located north of the island's capital, Palma de Mallorca, on the edge of the Serra de Tramuntana.

More than 100 climbing routes with difficulty levels from 4+ to 6c + are located in this region. Sa Gubia is the largest but not, by any stretch of the imagination, the only climbing area on the island. A variety of climbing routes with difficulty levels from 4+ to 9a + are waiting for more competitive climbers in the Tramuntana mountains.

One such example is Valldemossa: Not far from the romantic mountain village in the interior of Mallorca's coastal mountains you will find rugged and insanely beautiful limestone perforated cliffs. The routes have a length of up to 45 m and natural overhangs provide protection during a rain shower. Other climbing routes are located on Mount Alarò, near Creveta on the Formentor peninsula and at Sóller. An experience of a special kind awaits climbing enthusiasts in so-called "coasteering". This form of coastal climbing consists of climbing steep cliffs taking an en route snorkelling break, or perhaps some light cave diving, jumps from the rocks into the sea or a combination of the lot.