Questions and answers
Questions and answers: Hiking trails
68 answers
When should I avoid the Castell d'Alaró hike?
In hot weather and after rain: the last stretch is steep and cliffs surround the hill. Palma Weekly points to no other hazards, but it is worth setting out in the morning.
How do I get back from Castell d'Alaró?
The basic version is a loop or out-and-back to the start near Orient or Es Verger, so you return to your car. The TIB bus to Orient and Alaró is to be checked at tib.org.
Do I need a permit or reservation for Castell d'Alaró?
Not for the walk. If you want to eat or stay overnight at the Hostatgeria del castell d'Alaró (Consell network), it is worth asking about hours and availability, because we could not confirm them.
Is there water or food on the Castell d'Alaró hike?
There are no confirmed water sources on the trail, but the Hostatgeria operates below the castle. You carry your own water for the ascent; the Es Verger restaurant is at the start of the shorter version.
When should I avoid the Camí de s'Arxiduc?
In the midday heat, and without arranging the required permit beforehand. Palma Weekly lists no other hazards, but in summer it is worth setting out in the morning and taking a supply of water.
How do I get back to Valldemossa?
The Click Mallorca version (9 km) and PW (10-12 km) describe a loop from Valldemossa, so you return to your starting point. According to one guidebook the TIB bus to Valldemossa is line L-203: times to be checked at tib.org.
Do I need a permit or reservation for the Camí de s'Arxiduc?
According to Click Mallorca, currently yes: a free permit is required, and the number of entries per day is limited. The information comes from a single editorial source, so confirm with the Consell de Mallorca or Valldemossa town hall.
Is there water or food on the Camí de s'Arxiduc?
The sources checked list no water points or places to eat on the trail. You can eat in Valldemossa; carry water for 3-4 hours with you.
When should I avoid walking to Cala Bóquer?
In the hot midday of summer and just after heavy rain, when the rocks are slippery. The basic path is easy, but the variants via Talaia Vella and Pas de les Cabres involve scrambling, so do not choose them without experience.
How do I get back from Cala Bóquer?
The route is out-and-back or a loop from the car park, so you walk back to your starting point. You can reach Port de Pollença by TIB bus (lines and times to be checked at tib.org).
Do I need a permit or reservation for the Boquer Valley walk?
No: the sources checked (Visorando, Bergfex, OSM) do not mention a permit or a fee for this trail.
Is there water or food on the Boquer Valley walk?
There are no confirmed water sources or places to eat on the trail or at the cove. Take water and a snack from Port de Pollença; the walk takes about 1.5-2 hours.
When should I avoid GR 221 Stage 1 from Port d'Andratx to Sant Elm?
In the middle of a summer day: the route is linear with no confirmed water sources, and Palma Weekly advises starting early, looking for shade and turning back if you feel unwell. The stage is easy, so after rain shoes with a grippy sole are enough.
How do I get back from Sant Elm to Port d'Andratx?
The stage ends in Sant Elm, so to get back to your car in Port d'Andratx you take a TIB bus or a taxi. The line number and times need to be checked at tib.org: we could not verify them at the time of our check.
Do I need a permit or reservation for GR 221 Stage 1?
The official stage page mentions no permit or fee, and there is no Consell refuge on this stage, so booking accommodation in the Consell network does not apply. Plan your overnight stay in the towns at the ends.
Is there water or food on GR 221 Stage 1?
The official page lists no water points. You can buy food and drink in Port d'Andratx before the start and in Sant Elm after the walk; carry the rest with you.
When should I avoid GR 221 Stage 2 from Sant Elm to Estellencs?
In summer on hot days and after downpours: it is over 8 hours of walking with 1,000 m of ascent, and the Consell rates the difficulty as high. Plan an early start and a point at which to turn back, because the stage is linear.
How do I get back from Estellencs?
Estellencs lies on the Ma-10 road, where a TIB bus runs towards Palma and Andratx. We could not confirm the specific line and times at the time of our check; check tib.org before you set out.
Do I need a permit or reservation for GR 221 Stage 2?
The official page requires no permit for the route itself. If you want to sleep at Coma d'en Vidal, you must book the whole building, i.e. 24 places, by phone (+34 971 173 700).
Is there water or food on GR 221 Stage 2?
The official page lists no water sources, and the Coma d'en Vidal refuge has no food. Take water and provisions for the whole day, and look for resupply only in Estellencs.
When should I avoid GR 221 Stage 3 from Estellencs to Esporles?
In summer in the middle of the day and just after heavy rain, when the stone paths are slippery. The official page gives no closures, and Palma Weekly advises an early start and looking for shade.
How do I get back from Esporles?
Esporles has a TIB bus connection to Palma. The line number and times need to be confirmed at tib.org: they were not verified at the time of our check.
Do I need a permit or reservation for GR 221 Stage 3?
No: the official stage page mentions no permit or fee. The Consell refuges are not on this stage, so you plan your overnight stay in the towns at the ends.
Is there water or food on GR 221 Stage 3?
There are no confirmed water points or places to eat on the trail. Take supplies for 5 hours of walking and restock in Esporles.
When should I avoid GR 221 Stage 4 from Esporles to Can Boi?
In hot weather and after downpours: it is 8 hours with over 1,300 m of ascent, and the section through Son Cabaspre is unmarked, so fog or dusk carries a risk of getting lost. Plan an early start and use the GPX track from the Consell.
How do I get back from Deià?
TIB buses run from Deià (according to Palma Weekly the trip from Palma takes about 35-45 min by the Ma-11). Check the specific line and times at tib.org, because they were not verified at the time of our check.
Do I need to book a bed at Refugi Can Boi?
Yes: the Consell refuges accept guests daily, but only with a prior reservation. You can check availability in the Consell system (seu.conselldemallorca.net/refugis), and the contact is the Unitat de Refugis, tel. +34 971 173 700.
Is there water or food on GR 221 Stage 4?
The official page gives no water sources. You can eat in Valldemossa or at the Can Boi refuge (lunch at 13:30, dinner at 20:30, packed lunch to take away €8), but on the trail you carry your own water.
When should I avoid GR 221 Stage 5 from Can Boi to Muleta?
The stage is short and easy, so the main limit is the weather: after rain the rocks and stones can be slippery, and in hot weather it is worth setting out in the morning. The official page gives no closures.
How do I get back from Muleta?
Muleta lies in the municipality of Sóller, above Port de Sóller. You can reach the town and the port on foot or by bus. Lines and times were not verified at the time of our check; check tib.org.
Do I need to book a bed at Refugi Muleta?
Yes: the refuge is open daily, but only with a prior reservation through the Consell system. Contact: Unitat de Refugis, tel. +34 971 173 700, xarxaderefugis@conselldemallorca.net.
Is there water or food on GR 221 Stage 5?
At the Muleta refuge itself: food and drink (snack €5.50, lunch €13, dinner €9.50, packed lunch €8). On the trail the official page gives no water sources, so you carry your own.
When should I avoid GR 221 Stage 6 from Muleta to Tossals Verds?
In hot weather and bad weather: it is almost 28 km with over 1,100 m of ascent, which the Consell rates as hard. The l'Ofre pass is at about 900 m, so in winter it can be cold and wet. Plan to set out at dawn.
How do I get back from Tossals Verds?
The refuge is in the mountains by the Cúber reservoir, not at a town with a stop. The simplest option is to continue on stage 7 to Son Amer near Lluc, where public transport runs (TIB lines to be checked at tib.org: they were not verified at the time of our check).
Do I need to book a bed at Refugi Tossals Verds?
Yes: all the Consell refuges accept guests only with a prior reservation. The double room is booked by email only (xarxaderefugis@conselldemallorca.net), and the dormitories through the Consell system or by phone on +34 971 173 700.
Is there water or food on GR 221 Stage 6?
The official page does not mention water sources. You can restock in Sóller and Biniaraix at the start, and at Tossals Verds you can have lunch (€13) or dinner (€9.50).
When should I avoid GR 221 Stage 7 from Tossals Verds to Son Amer?
On snowy and wet days and in hot weather: the Consell page describes this terrain as at its harshest in snow. In fog poor visibility makes navigation difficult, so carry a GPX track.
How do I get back from Son Amer (Lluc)?
Lluc lies on the Ma-10 and Ma-2130 roads and is a hub for TIB buses. Line numbers and times need to be checked at tib.org: we could not verify them at the time of our check.
Do I need to book a bed at Refugi Son Amer?
Yes: the Consell refuges accept guests only with a prior reservation, daily. You can check availability in the Consell system, and the contact for the Unitat de Refugis is tel. +34 971 173 700.
Is there water or food on GR 221 Stage 7?
The page gives no water sources on the trail. There is food and drink at both refuges (Tossals Verds and Son Amer), so take water for about 5.5 hours.
When should I avoid GR 221 Stage 8 from Son Amer to Pont Romà?
In hot weather (the route descends towards sunny Pollença) and just after downpours, when the stones are slippery. The stage is moderate, but 4.5 hours of descent on a hard surface is best started in the morning.
How do I get back from Pollença to Lluc?
Pollença is a large centre with TIB bus connections across the island. Line numbers and times need to be checked at tib.org, because they were not verified at the time of our check.
Do I need to book a bed at Refugi Pont Romà?
Yes: the refuge accepts guests daily, but only with a prior reservation. Contact the Unitat de Refugis: tel. +34 971 173 700, or use the Consell availability system.
Is there water or food on GR 221 Stage 8?
On the trail the official page does not mention water sources, so you carry your own. At Pont Romà you can have lunch (€13) or dinner (€9.50), and Pollença has a full range of facilities.
When should I avoid GR 221 Stage 9 from Pont Romà to Port de Pollença?
The official page mentions only the weather: it is worth setting out when it lets you enjoy the sea. In summer morning or evening is better, because the route is exposed.
How do I get back from Port de Pollença to Pollença?
The two towns are a few kilometres apart, and local buses run between them. Check the specific TIB line and times at tib.org: they were not verified at the time of our check.
Do I need a permit or reservation for GR 221 Stage 9?
Not for the walk; the official page mentions no permit. A bed at the Pont Romà refuge requires a reservation through the Consell system or by phone (+34 971 173 700).
Is there water or food on GR 221 Stage 9?
Yes, but not from trail sources: the stage passes through built-up areas, so you can buy food in Pollença and Port de Pollença; Pont Romà serves meals (lunch €13).
When should I avoid walking to La Trapa?
In the hot midday and just after downpours: the route is exposed, and Palma Weekly generally advises starting early and looking for shade. Click Mallorca rates the walk as easy to moderate, but it takes several hours of walking.
How do I get back to Sant Elm or Port d'Andratx?
The route is usually out-and-back, so you return to Sant Elm, from where a TIB bus runs towards Andratx (lines and times to be checked at tib.org, not verified at the time of our check). Alternatively, walk on along the GR221 to Estellencs.
Do I need a permit or reservation for La Trapa?
No: the sources checked (Click Mallorca, Palma Weekly) mention no permit or fee for this trail. There is no refuge on this section.
Is there water or food on the La Trapa walk?
There are no confirmed water points or places to eat on the trail. You can eat in Sant Elm before and after the walk; take at least 4 hours' worth of water.
When should I avoid climbing Puig de Galatzó?
In hot weather and after rain: the final stretch has short scrambling sections that are dangerous on wet rock. Click Mallorca advises extra care on the last part.
How do I get back to Estellencs from Puig de Galatzó?
The route is out-and-back to Estellencs, so you return by the same path. The TIB bus to Estellencs needs to be checked at tib.org (not verified at the time of our check).
Do I need a permit or reservation for Puig de Galatzó?
Not on this route: the sources checked (Click Mallorca, Palma Weekly) mention no permit. A visit to the Finca Pública de Galatzó in the municipality of Calvià is different and has its own entry rules.
Is there water or food on the Puig de Galatzó hike?
There are no confirmed water sources or places to eat on the trail. Take supplies for about 5 hours and restock in Estellencs.
When should I avoid climbing Puig de Maria?
After rain: Visorando warns that the cobbles can be slippery on the descent, especially in wet weather. In hot weather choose the morning or late afternoon.
How do I get back from Puig de Maria?
The climb is a loop or out-and-back from the car park on the Ma-2200, so you return to your car. If you came by bus to Pollença, the walk from the town is a separate section (GR221-H); TIB lines to be checked.
Do I need a permit or reservation for Puig de Maria?
No: Visorando mentions no permit or fee. The access is narrow and there are few parking spaces, so on a weekend plan to arrive early.
Is there water or food on the Puig de Maria hike?
There is a snack bar at the sanctuary (Visorando); no water sources are given on the climb itself. Take a small supply of water for 2 hours.
When should I avoid climbing Puig de Massanella?
In hot weather and poor visibility: Palma Weekly advises respecting the heat and taking plenty of water, and Click Mallorca recommends a sunny day. It is a demanding full-day expedition, so do not start late.
How do I get back from Puig de Massanella?
The climb is usually out-and-back to the start point at Lluc, so you return by your own car or by TIB bus from Lluc. Lines and times were not verified at the time of our check.
Do I need a permit or reservation for Puig de Massanella?
There is no reservation, but the route crosses private land where, according to Click Mallorca, about €6 per person is charged. The amount and rules have not been confirmed in an official source, so check before you set out.
Is there water or food on the Puig de Massanella hike?
There are no confirmed water sources or places to eat on the trail. Take water and provisions for 6-8 hours, and look for resupply in Lluc.
When should I avoid climbing Talaia d'Alcúdia?
In the hot hours of summer: according to Picuco it is worth avoiding the middle of the day, and the route has steep slopes and cliffs on the Pas de s'Aritja section. After rain the rocks are slippery.
How do I get back from Talaia d'Alcúdia?
The basic version is a loop from the Ermita de la Victòria with a car park at the start, so you return to your car. The longer version with Penya Roja and the cove of Coll Baix needs a separate return.
Do I need a permit or reservation for Talaia d'Alcúdia?
No: the sources checked mention no permit or fee. There is a car park at the Ermita de la Victòria.
Is there water or food on the Talaia d'Alcúdia hike?
Picuco lists no water sources and recommends taking water and sun protection. You carry water and provisions for 4-5 hours with you.