Walking and hiking in Mallorca

Mallorca has a huge network of trails and paths, as well as 2 long distance walking routes, the GR221 and GR222 that are shown on the map. The Tramuntana Mountains dominate the northwest side of Mallorca where there are many peaks over 1,000m, including Puig Major at 1,450m high.

The GR221 route traverses the Tramuntana Mountains from Port d'Andratx in the south west to Pollenca in the north west of Mallorca. The GR221 long distance path generally follows dry stone terraces that are lined with olive groves, and is known as the “GR221 Dry Stone Route”. The GR221 route is 140km long, though there are also are a number of alternative paths along the route.

The GR221 generally takes 8 to 9 days to complete, and it links a series of attractive mountain villages as well as a number of towns. The towns along the route are Estellencs, Banyalbufar, Valldemossa, Deia, Lluc, and Soller, which provide good accommodation options as well as refreshments at bars, restaurants and shops.

The best maps for walking the GR221 route are produced by Editorial Alpina. At a scale of 1:25,000 (4cm to 1km) 3 separate maps cover the GR221, which are Tramuntana Sud (south), Tramuntana Central, and Tramuntana Nord (north). These maps detail many other paths and trails, as well as the GR221 route, and are available to buy from our shop. A guidebook called “Trekking Through Mallorca – GR221 The Drystone Route Guidebook”, which describes the route in great detail, is also available to buy from our shop.

The best time of the year to walk the GR221 route is in the spring or autumn. The summer is too hot and there is a good chance of experiencing snow and cold winds on the higher peaks in the winter. Walking the GR221 route from the southwest to the northeast has the advantage of the prevailing wind at the rear.

The GR222 long distance route starts from Arta on the Llevant Peninsula, and finishes at Lluc in the Serra de Tramuntana Mountains. The GR222 route is 132km long and takes hikers through a varied landscape. Starting from Arta, the route takes in the coast and dunes of the Bay of Alcudia on the northwest coast. It then heads in land through the agricultural regions of the Pla de Mallorca, before heading into the mountains and finishing at the world heritage site of Lluc.

Walking in Mallorca is not all about long distance paths as there are many trails and paths to suit walkers and hikers of all abilities.  Jenny Goad describes why Mallorca is a corker for walkers, especially the northern peninsula of Formentor and around Pollenca. Read more…