Inspirational mountains in the Sierra de Tramuntana

Majorca is much more than just sunny weather, broad beaches, water sports and night life. The largest of the Balearic Islands also has a green paradise whose beauty has captivated major artists and personalities for centuries: the Sierra de Tramuntana mountains. Let's go and explore it.

In Majorca there is a place where the mountains meet the Mediterranean Sea: the Sierra de Tramuntana mountains, in the northwest of the island. This range runs for more than 100 kilometres parallel to the coast, from the village of Andraxt to cape Formentor. For many years, this has been the chosen refuge of writers, artists and even aristocrats. Here you will find the highest peak in the Balearic Islands (Puig Major, 1,445 metres), along with some of the island's most picturesque towns and villages, such as Valldemossa, Deià, Sóller and Pollença. However, the best thing is the immense variety of landscapes to be seen.

Infinite greens

In the coastal part of this area there are huge cliffs, broken by small beaches and intimate coves. On the horizon you can see the outline of numerous lighthouses and historic towers, such as Formentor lighthouse and the towers of Sa Calobra and Sa Pedrissa, truly exceptional viewpoints. Meanwhile, up in the mountains, the panorama changes - a range of exuberant shades of green, with a succession of forests of pine and holm oak, sheer gorges, fertile valleys full of fruit trees, stone villages, vineyards...

A good way to discover the Sierra de Tramuntana mountains is on foot. There is a hiking route known as “Piedra en Seco” (dry stone), which is easy and runs west to east, from Andratx to Pollença. It runs along ancient trails, very close to the mountain peaks, passing emblematic spots in the region. The itinerary is divided into eight stages and covers a total of 150 kilometres. You can choose whether to do the whole route or just a few stages, depending on your own taste and the time you have available. Most of the stages start and finish at natural viewpoints, where there are other itineraries available to extend the main route, allowing you to enjoy all the heritage and history of the Tramuntana region.

A land of art and nature

Amongst other options you can: visit the Sa Dragonera Nature Reserve while in Andratx; climb Ses Ànimes tower in Banyalbufar, to enjoy views of the whole northwestern coast of the island; visit the Cartuja monastery in Valdemossa, where composer Chopin and writer George Sand once stayed; stroll around Son Marroig, one of the estates acquired by the Austrian Archduke Luis Salvador in the 19th century. These are just some of the proposals on offer. If you want to be sure not to miss anything, head for one of the tourist offices in the area.

If you don't feel like walking, then there is another attractive option: the train that runs from the capital, Palma, to Sóller. Its olden-day wagons give an enchanting atmosphere to this journey across the Sierra de Tramuntana mountains. Don't think twice. Majorca has a mountainous side - and it is fascinating. Start planning your holiday to Spain and come and discover it.

More information: Hiking in Majorca