MALLORCA

By Stanley Sobari

Almond trees have been part of the Mallorcan landscape since their introduction by the Arabs a thousand years ago.

The time of the almond blossom walking along the old mule tracks of Mallorca’s Serra de Tramuntana draws you deep into their millennia of history, folklore and myth. From historic mountain villages to meadow bedecked in almond blossom, the Serra de Tramuntana trail offers an intriguing glimpse into hidden Mallorca as it winds across the island.

 Homes dot the hillsides between Soler and Fornalutx

MALLORCA on foot with its varied terrain and historic, well-marked trails, is a first-class walking destination in general, and the GR221 walk across the Serra de Tramuntana is one of the great hikes of Europe. Other highlights of the island include the coast en route to Cap de Formentor, the steep-sided northern tip, and the Parc Natural de la Peninsula de Llevant, linking pine valleys and remote beaches. Walking is best between September and early June, before the sun is at its fiercest, with almond usually in bloom from late January to February. Local tourist boards are a good source of information ,with excellent maps available at local bookshops.

Operator Mallorca Hiking offers guided individual and groups walking holidays, specializing in tailor-made itineraries (Jesca, her guide, is one of their experts). They range from short countryside excursions to week-long GR221 hikes, and can also incorporate other activities such as traditional lunches, boat trips or balloon rides (day walks; mallorcahiking.com).

Follow these route :

 DAY 1 – Head from Es Capdella via mountains and pine woods to Estellencs and on along the coast to Banyalbufar.

DAY 2 – Spend a day in the 10^th-century village of Banyalbufar, before heading to Valledemossa, one of the island’s prettiest towns. 

DAY 3 – From Valldemossa, navigate forest and steep coastal paths to hilltop Deia, heading by bus to soller and on to Fornalutx.

DAY 4 – Stroll from Fornalutx back down to the ochre town of Soller before returning to Deia and its enchanting bay.

Airlines including BA, easyjet, Ryanair and Thomson Airways fly to Palma de Mallorca from UK cities including Edinburg, London, and Manchester.

Mallorca is ideal for walking and cycling: cycle routes are well-posted and suit a range of abilities (cycle could be hired on : procyclehire.com). Hiring a car allows you to access more of Mallorca’s many delights (budgets.co.uk).

For more information related Mallorca please further reading on Lonely Planet’s Mallorca is a comprehensive guide to the island. And for interesting in walking information and routes, visit infomallorca.net or read Walking in Mallorca (Sunflower Books).