Hike in the Serra de Tramuntana: Epic GR221 in Mallorca

Today is all about arrival in Mallorca—most of us will fly into Palma de Mallorca, the island’s vibrant capital. The city itself is well worth a visit, and arriving a day early gives you time to explore its charming alleyways and boutique shops. However, the meeting point and the start of the adventure is west—the picturesque fishing village of Port d’Andratx, where we’ll spend our first night. We will all meet at around 6pm for a trip briefing, giving us a chance to go over the days ahead and answer any questions.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mon Port Hotel & Spa

Setting off from Coll de Sa Gramola, we begin with a short descent before tackling our main climb of the day. The landscape quickly feels wild and untouched, with rocky terrain and remote farmhouses dotting the route. In spring, local farmers graze their flocks in these rugged pastures. Unlike other sections of the Serra de Tramuntana, today’s trail is less traveled, making it rare to encounter other hikers. At times, the route is barely distinguishable, with only occasional rocky cairns marking our progress along the GR221. All the while, the views stretch west to the Mediterranean and north to the Serra’s peaks.

Eventually, we gain the ridgeline and climb steadily to our highest point of the day at 800 m (2,624 ft). Here, we can truly appreciate why the GR221 is known as the Ruta de Pedra en Sec—the Dry Stone Route. This traditional craft of stacking stones without mortar has been used for centuries to build everything from walls and pathways to wells and snow huts. From the ridge, we descend beneath the limestone peak of Moleta de S’Esclop before making our way down to the village of Estellencs, where we’ll spend the night. Nestled among steep, narrow streets, this charming village is the perfect place to end the day.

Hiking: 14 km (9 mi), 6-6.5 hours
Elevation: +571 m (+1,872 ft), -771 m (-2,528 ft)
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Maristel

Today is a relaxing stage with stunning panoramic views, allowing time to enjoy an old royal route that once connected Estellencs and Esporles. We’ll walk along paved and terraced bridle paths, passing historic noble estates like Son Serralta, Es Rafal, and Es Collet, homes that continue to shape the area’s history and economy. After leaving Estellencs, we’ll head towards Banyalbufar, strolling past grand old houses before entering a peaceful holm-oak wood. These evergreen trees, common throughout the Serra, offer shade during warmer days.

Our trail continues northeast along the coast until we reach a pass with breathtaking views of the Planicia valley. In the distance, we’ll spot the dramatic peaks of the Serra, including Punta de Sóller, Sa Foradada, and Puig Major, Mallorca’s highest peak at 1,445 m (4,739 ft). A highlight of today’s hike is the arrival at Banyalbufar, with its charming terraced houses and magnificent sea views. Afterward, we climb toward Esporles, finishing the historic Cami des Correu, a royal route dating back to 1401.

Hiking: 14.5 km (9 mi), 6-7 hours
Elevation: +530 m (+1,738 ft), -490 m (-1,607 ft)
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: S’Hostal d’Esporles

Leaving the ancient village of Esporles, we begin our steady climb towards La Mola de Son Pacs, where we encounter a surprising variety—limestone hills, deep watercourses, woodlands, rocky outcrops, and fissures. In the past, the woodland provided raw materials for road construction, coal mining, lime working, and resources for shepherds, hunters, and lumberjacks. This hike offers a true walk through history, with traces of prehistoric and Islamic times. After our climb, we’re rewarded with stunning views of the sea and a cliff-top resting spot to reflect on our efforts.

We continue through the woodlands, maintaining our elevation before starting our descent. At the end of our descent, we arrive at the charming village of Valldemossa, where a coffee or ice cream stop is a must. This village is famous for being the home of composer Frédéric Chopin and French novelist Aurore Dupin, who wrote under the name George Sand. Afterward, we leave Valldemossa and enter a private conservation area managed by the ‘Muntanya del Voltor’ (Mountain of the Vulture). A steady climb through the woods along the Ranxo d’en Sutro takes us to the Mirador de ses Basses, linking us to the Archduke’s Trail. This is one of the best hikes on the island, offering fabulous sea views before we descend on an old mule track to reach Deià, another gem of a village.

Hiking: 20 km (12.4 mi), 8-9 hours
Elevation: +1,345 m (+4,411 ft), -1,420 m (-4,657 ft)
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Hostal Villaverde

We take our time leaving Deià, a village of steep, narrow streets and ancient houses, as today’s walk is relatively short. Deià has long been a retreat for painters, writers, and musicians, including author Robert Graves, who spent much of his life here and is buried in the village cemetery. The stunning jade-green waters of Deià Cove make for a perfect pre-breakfast stroll for early risers. As we set off, we enjoy views of the Llucalcari coastline and the timeless beauty of Deià, nestled among palm trees and wildflower meadows.

Our trail leads us toward the coast, eventually reaching the Muleta refuge, situated next to the lighthouse that guides ships into the Port of Sóller. By mid-afternoon, we arrive at Port de Sóller, allowing plenty of time to explore the lively harbor, enjoy fresh seafood, or simply relax on the sandy beach and soak up the sun.

Hiking: 12 km (7.5 mi), 5.5-6 hours
Elevation: +242 m (+793 ft), -424 m (-1,390 ft)
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Marina

Our day begins with an easy start as we take a ride on Mallorca’s only operational tram, a beautifully preserved relic from the past, with mahogany and brass fittings. After a short journey, we arrive in the town of Sóller, where we disembark and begin our hike. Strolling through ancient streets and picturesque villages, we gradually start our ascent through a spectacular rocky gorge. Much of the path is paved and steeped in history, passing raised waterways and irrigation channels that have sustained local pastures and communities for centuries. We follow the Barranc de Biniaraix, an old stone route consisting of 2,000 steps, leading us deep into the valley of Ofre, overlooked by its dramatic rock formation. At the Coll de l’Ofre, we are rewarded with sweeping views of the emerald-green waters of the Cúber Reservoir and Mallorca’s highest peak, Puig Major, standing at 1,445 m (4,739 ft).

From here, we reach our second pass of the day, the Coll des Coloms, before descending onto the southern side of the Serra. A rocky path leads us to the ravine of the Torrent d’Almadrà, where we use chains as a handrail to climb a spectacular rocky ledge, known as the Pas Llis. This exposed section adds an adventurous element before we contour around the mountainside. The final stretch remains challenging, but our efforts are rewarded as we arrive at the beautiful Refugi Tossals Verds, a traditional stone mountain refuge nestled among lush orchards.

Hiking: 17.5 km (11 mi), 8.5-9 hours
Elevation: +1,310 m (+4,296 ft), -857 m (-2,810 ft)
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Tossals Verds refuge

Leaving the refuge, we begin a steady climb through oak woodlands, following ancient trails that lead us past natural fountains and stone-built aqueducts—reminders of the rich history woven into the landscape. Our route crosses the heart of the Serra de Tramuntana, a striking limestone mountain range characterized by sculpted ridgelines, dramatic sea views, and fascinating “snow storage huts” built into the mountainside. As we ascend, we pass Mallorca’s highest peaks: Puig Major, the tallest mountain on the island, though inaccessible due to a military installation, and Puig de Massanella, the highest trekker-accessible peak at 1,364 m (4,473 ft).

At the Coll de n’Argento, we continue towards the Monastery of Lluc, our destination for the night. Dating back to the 13th century, the monastery is a unique and special place to stay within the Serra de Tramuntana. Along the way, we encounter up to twelve traditional “snow huts” (Les Cases de Neu), where snow was once collected in winter and stored for months to provide ice. The earliest recorded reference to this practice in Mallorca dates back to 1564, offering a glimpse into the island’s resourceful past.

Hiking: 14 km (9 mi), 7-8 hours
Elevation: +784 m (+2,571 ft), -823 m (-2,699 ft)
Meals: Lunch
Accommodation: Monastery of Lluc

The Monastery of Lluc has long been regarded as the spiritual heart of Mallorca, and before setting off, we hope there’s time to appreciate its deep cultural and historical significance. Leaving its peaceful surroundings behind, we begin a gentler walk compared to previous days. Our route ascends through oak woodlands to the Son Amer Refuge, an impressive example of local stone craftsmanship with historical ties to the Templar Knights. Along the way, we pass remarkable stone structures, including the 17th-century raised irrigation canal of the S’Ermita spring, a testament to the importance of water management for agriculture and livestock.

We complete our GR221 journey through the Serra de Tramuntana by following the river valley into the ancient town of Pollença, nestled between two small hills. The Calvari, with its iconic 365-step climb, leads to an oratory at the summit, while Mount Maria rises to 325 m (1,066 ft). After exploring Pollença, we transfer to our final overnight stay by the sea in Port de Pollença, the perfect place to unwind after our trek.

Hiking: 18 km (11.5 mi), 5-6 hours
Elevation: +220 m (+721 ft), -654 m (-2,145 ft)
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Sis Pins

This morning, we take a private transfer to Palma Airport, which is included in your trip fee. We aim to arrive at the airport by 10am. If you have a later flight, feel free to contact us to discuss your departure time. If all guests have later flights, we can arrange a later transfer; otherwise, you are welcome to take the local bus at a time that suits you. You may also choose to extend your stay, whether by spending another night in Palma or relaxing for a few more days on the beach at Port de Pollença.

Meals: Breakfast