One of the things we love most about staying at Finca La Lavanda is how easy it is to get out into the mountains. You don't have to drive for hours to find beautiful walking trails – the Serra de Tramuntana is right on our doorstep.
For anyone who enjoys walking, hiking in Mallorca is one of the best ways to experience the island. Away from the beaches and busy resorts, you discover ancient olive groves, dry-stone walls, mountain villages, hidden valleys and some spectacular views.
Whether you are looking for a morning walk, a full day in the mountains or a route that takes you from one beautiful Mallorcan village to another, there are some wonderful hikes around Alaró.
Here are three of our favourites.
1. Hiking to Castell d'Alaró
If you only have time for one hike while staying with us, the walk to Castell d'Alaró is a wonderful choice.
The castle sits dramatically on the summit of Puig d'Alaró, at around 800 metres above sea level, and the approach is part of what makes the walk so enjoyable. From Alaró, the route climbs through olive groves and woodland before becoming steeper and more rugged as you approach the summit.
The final approach is particularly atmospheric, with the old stone path leading towards the castle and the mountains opening up around you.
And then there is the view.
From the top, you can look across the Serra de Tramuntana in one direction and over the flatter central part of Mallorca in the other. On a clear day, it is easy to understand why this was such an important strategic location for centuries.
One of the great things about this hike is that you can turn it into a very Mallorcan day out by booking lunch at the famous Es Verger restaurant. Known locally – and by many visitors – simply as The Lamb, Es Verger is famous for its roast lamb.
The restaurant is wonderfully rustic, and don't be surprised to see sheep wandering around outside among the tables. After a morning walking in the mountains, sitting down to a traditional Mallorcan lunch here is a pretty perfect reward.
Our tip: Book your table at Es Verger in advance and start your walk early, particularly in the warmer months. That way you can enjoy the cooler temperatures on the climb and arrive ready for lunch.
2. Hiking to Tossals Verds
For walkers who want to spend a whole day immersed in the Serra de Tramuntana, the area around Tossals Verds is spectacular.
The route takes you deep into the mountains, with the landscape changing as you climb – pine and holm-oak woodland, old terraces, dry-stone walls and ancient paths that have been used for generations.
Tossals Verds is part of Mallorca's famous Ruta de Pedra en Sec (GR 221), the Dry Stone Route that crosses the Serra de Tramuntana. The network follows many of the island's old mountain paths and is a wonderful way of experiencing the landscape on foot.
One particularly beautiful section connects Tossals Verds with Orient. The official GR 221 variant is around 18 km, with approximately 735 metres of ascent and 795 metres of descent, and takes around 5½ hours.
This is a proper mountain day, so it is one for experienced walkers who are comfortable with a longer route. Good walking shoes, plenty of water and sensible planning are essential.
One of the pleasures of this route is that you don't necessarily have to carry everything you need for the day. At the Tossals Verds refuge, you can stop for lunch or buy simple snacks and drinks. It makes a lovely place to rest, refuel and take in the mountain surroundings.
What I particularly love about this part of the Tramuntana is that it feels much more remote. You are surrounded by mountains, woodland and old agricultural landscapes, with very little of the Mallorca that you see from the main roads.
3. Hiking from Alaró to Orient – and the Es Salt des Freu Waterfall
If you like the idea of combining a hike with a visit to one of Mallorca's prettiest mountain villages, the walk from Alaró to Orient is a lovely option.
Orient is tucked into a green valley on the other side of the mountains and feels wonderfully peaceful. The route takes you away from the bustle of the coast and into a landscape of olive groves, woodland, stone walls and mountain scenery.
This area is also connected to the GR 221 network, following some of the old paths through the Tramuntana landscape.
Make the walk longer and visit Es Salt des Freu
If you have the time and energy, you can extend your hike to visit Es Salt des Freu, one of Mallorca's best-known seasonal waterfalls.
The waterfall is hidden in the beautiful wooded valley near Orient. It is particularly impressive during the wetter months and after good rainfall, when the water tumbles down through a series of cascades. During the dry summer months, the stream can almost completely disappear, so don't be disappointed if you visit and find the waterfall dry – the surrounding woodland and landscape are still beautiful.
There is also a longer circular walk from Orient that takes in Pas de s'Estaló and Es Salt des Freu, with the local Bunyola walking guide giving a walking time of approximately 2½ to 3 hours.
For us, this is one of the nicest ways to experience this part of Mallorca because the landscape changes so much as you walk. You have the open mountain scenery around Orient, the shady woodland around the torrent and, after rain, the wonderful sound of the waterfall.
Finish in Orient
The real reward, apart from the scenery, is arriving in Orient.
It's a tiny village, but there are several good places where you can stop for lunch, enjoy a coffee or simply sit down and watch the world go by. After a walk through the mountains, there is something very satisfying about arriving in a village and finding a table waiting for you.
This is another walk where it is worth planning the transport carefully, as it is a point-to-point route if you are walking from Alaró to Orient. You can either arrange transport back to Alaró or make the walk part of a longer hiking adventure.
A Few Things to Know Before You Go Hiking in Mallorca
Mallorca is a wonderful place for walking, but the mountains deserve a little respect.
Wear proper walking shoes. Some of the old paths are uneven, rocky or steep.
Take plenty of water. Even in spring and autumn, the sun can be strong, and some sections have little shade.
Start early in summer. The cooler morning temperatures make a huge difference.
Check the weather before leaving. Conditions in the mountains can be quite different from those at the finca or on the coast.
Plan your route carefully. Some of the mountain trails are remote, and conditions can change after heavy rain.
Some of the best parts of hiking in the Serra de Tramuntana aren't the destinations themselves but the little things you notice along the way – an ancient olive tree, a dry-stone wall, the scent of rosemary, a distant mountain village or a spectacular view that suddenly appears as the path turns a corner.
Coming Home to Finca La Lavanda
After a day walking in the Tramuntana, there is something particularly satisfying about coming back to the finca.
Take off your walking shoes, have a long shower, pour yourself something cold and sit outside for a while. The mountains that you have just spent the day exploring are still part of the view.
For us, that's one of the pleasures of staying in this part of Mallorca. You can spend the morning hiking through ancient mountain landscapes, enjoy a wonderful lunch in a traditional restaurant or mountain refuge, and be back at Finca La Lavanda in time for a long, lazy afternoon.
