We’ll meet you at Palma airport and transfer you to your first night’s accommodation in the dramatically situated coastal village of Estellencs. The village directly faces the Mediterranean and affords beautiful views out over the sea. Depending on your arrival time you can enjoy a short walk down to the village’s port at Cala Estellencs where you can enjoy a drink at the wonderfully located bar on the meditereanean.
Today can be shortened to 8km & 260m ascent if leaving out the optional Port de Canogne section.
This morning the “Ruta de Pedra Sec” begins proper. As you depart Estellencs you will discover the delight of following this well signposted section. Shortly out of the village you begin to climb through the forest. The sparkling Meditereanean is almost always in view through the Holm Oak forest and the Plancia Estate offers the option of some lovely picnic spots. Shortly into your descent the beauty of Banyalbufar and its magnificant terraces becomes apparent.
Banyalbufar’s Islamic heritage has left it with an impressive collection of terraces, reservoirs and irrigation channels. The village directly faces the Mediterranean and affords beautiful views out over the sea. The village is famous for its wine, made from the Malvasia grape.
The hike from Estellencs should take about 3-4 hours so you will have time to an enjoy an optional hike this afternoon to Port de Canogne, 5.5km, 100m ascent each way. Port de Canogne has a fine swimming area and two great bar restaraunts where you can enjoy a drink or tapas.
The GR221 between Banyalbufar and Esporles follows the old Postman’s Way (Cami d’es Correu) and it is well maintained. Initally a steep ascent the route begins to level as it enters the forest above Banyalbufar. As you begin your approach to Esporles you pass the old Moorish farmhouse and gardens of La Granja, which is an easy detour visit
Esporles is a market village on the banks of the normally dry San Pere river, and is centred on the 13th century church and its bustling market square. Enjoy a drink at one of the many cafes on the square and our driver will meet you here and bring you onto your guesthouses in Valldemossa. The section of the GR221 between Esporles & Valldemossa is currently closed and unmarked. Should it re-open we would be delighted offer the option of hiking onto Valldemossa.
Valldemossa is one of the most beautiful villages in Spain and you should have most of the afternoon to discover it. The village made famous by composer Frederic Chopin and French writer George Sand who wrote “A Winter in Mallorca” to describe their stay here in 1838. It is a delightful experience to stroll through it’s cobbled streets and monastic gardens before sunset.
Today’s hike is considered the most dramatic day of the trail. It starts with a steady climb up from the village through the valley. Then after 500m of ascent the path begins to level and you reach the Cami d’Arxiduc (The Archduke’s Path). Initally a bridal path for the 18th Century Duke, it runs along the cliffs overlooking the village of Deia.
Massive Meditereann panoramas dominate and after 7km from Valldemossa, the option to descend into Deia is reached. A head for heights is initally required on the descent but the gradient eases as it enters the forest above Deia. Deia has to be seen to be belived, it location is breathtaking . Surrounded by 1000 metre hiff cliffs on one side and the Meditereanean on the other, it is a magical place. Some wonderful restaraunts make this perhaps the place for a special meal.
* If you don’t have a head for heights, there is also the option to continue on a looped walk back to Valldemossa and then take one of the regular buses or a taxi to Deia (15 minutes).
A charming hike through olive groves, oak orange and lemon trees with the sparkling Mediterranean always at your side. The route hovers above the small cove beach of Deia offering stunning views down onto the Cala before turning inland and ascending along the old Cami de Castello. Through the trees, you can see the little hamlet of Lluccari with the sparkling Meditereanean behind it.
Stop to take it all in at the magnificently situated Son Mico farmhouse before returning once again towards the sea and down in the sheltered harbour of Puerto de Soller. The port enjoys a unique location and it the offers the only real shelter for boats along the whole western coast of Mallorca. The port has a great selection of bars and traditional restaurants and an old 1910 tram still runs between here and the narrow gauge railway to Palma at Soller.
The Soller Valley is the largest valley in Mallorca and was for years cut off from the rest of the Island by the mountains of the Tramuntana. In fact to such an extent that the locals found it easier to trade it’s citrus fruits with Catalonia and France rather than Palma.
In 1929 a narrow gauge railway was built to connect Soller with Palma and it was only in the 1990s that a tunnel was built between Soller and Palma allowing for easier access. The valley is filled with Orange and Lemon trees and surrounded by the high peaks of the Sierra and watched over by Mallorca’s highest peak, Puig Major (1448m).
Today’s hike continues along the GR221 to Soller than follows the Cami Vell de Balitx to the Mirador de Ses Barques. The mirador at 400m offers panoramic views over the Valley and back towards the Port. From the Mirador, you follow the trail to the village of Fornalutx, regular winner of “the most beautiful village in Spain” award. Relax in the town square before following the trail through the oak trees through the tiny hamlet of Binbassi returning to Port de Soller. The last section from Soller to Port de Soller you have the option of taking the famous 100 year old “Orange Tram”.
Depending on your flight time, you can enjoy a short circular walk or relax at your hotel this morning before being collected and taken to Palma airport in good time for your flight.
The price for the trip is 1085€ per person based on two people sharing. For two or more people travelling who require a single room there is a single room supplement of 35%. Bookings can be made from 1st March to 30th May and 15th September to 30th October. Private transfer on arrival at Palma Airport and return to Palma or Palma Airport is included. Please note a minimum of two people is required for this holiday.