Mallorca 6 nights. Route Summary. At a glance. How much walking? Where the mountains meet the Mediterranean

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Melissa Sims
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Telephone: +44 (0) 1722 322 652 Email: walks@onfootholidays.co.

Summary At a glance 6 nights (5 days walking) - one night in each hotel, missing

1 Telephone: +44 (0) Mallorca 6 nights Where the mountains meet the Mediterranean Route Summary At a glance 6 nights (5 days walking) - one night in each hotel, missing the two circular walks from Soller and Alaro. How much walking? Full days: 7½-23km per day, 2¾ - 8½ hrs walking Using shortening options: 7½-17km per day, 2¾ - 5½hrs Max. Grade: page 1/8

2 This stunning walk shows to perfection two unspoilt faces of the island of Mallorca. Spend an evening in the relaxed and historic capital Palma and explore its labyrinthine streets, palace courtyards, art museums and elaborate cathedral before heading for the hills the Serra de Tramuntana mountains. These limestone mountains form a dramatic landscape of peaks and deep valleys, largely undiscovered except by walkers. The fauna and flora are undisturbed and early spring (late January/early February) walkers can have the added bonus of almond blossom time. Much of the route we have selected is on the GR221 so navigation is easy, allowing you to enjoy the breathtaking views and dramatic landscapes. This is a route that can be enjoyed as a winter break (mild, though occasionally rainy), for the spring flowers or for autumn colour, and its extended season will suit those who can t get away during the more conventional walking season. Discover the other face of Mallorca remote, high and wild, but with unequalled hospitality and wonderful food, and as far away from the seething crowds as it s possible to be. Walked by On Foot staff: Simon, Mary and Emma REVIEWS: For independent walker reviews submitted to the Association of Independent Tour Operators visit Aito.com. TRAVEL ADVICE: To find the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office for UK citizens travelling to Spain, click here. Citizens of other nations will also find it useful, but should always check their appropriate local agency. Route Highlights Sophisticated Palma and its gothic cathedral Winter blossoming orchards and orchids The Postman s Path and the quirky La Granja museum The Archduke s Path to Deia The alleys and restaurants of Soller Alaro Castle ruins and Es Verger restaurant for your finale Mallorcan warmth and hospitality Birdwatching during spring and autumn migration We Recommend Why not spend an extra night in Soller/Fornalutx and hire a bike from Tramuntana Tours. Explore the Soller valley and its byways, ride down to Port Soller for a swim. page 2/8

3 Grading Full days: 7½-23km per day, 2¾ - 8½ hrs walking Using shortening options: 7½-17km per day, 2¾ - 5½hrs Well-marked paths and good signage; Valdemossa to Soller hard, scrambling, vertiginous for some (both avoidable). Highest point on route: 900m. Medium: Full route: Average cumulative uphill stretches (CUSs) 582m per day (400m-800m). Using shortening options: CUSs 567m per day (400m-725m) GPX file available for handheld GPS or smartphone App for complete route (except optional Soller circuits) Important note: Times given for each day are walking times for an average walker and exclude stops. CUSs stands for Cumulative Uphill Stretches and measures the aggregated ascents in each day, expressed in metres of climb. See Walk Grading for more information. When to go The best months to walk: January, February, March, April, May, October, November Other possible months: June, September This is a route that can be walked throughout the autumn, winter (except December) and spring, though the summer is too hot. The last two weeks in January and the first two in February are almond blossom time. However, the island is green - because it can rain at any time, particularly in the winter months - so make sure you are properly equipped. The wettest month is October, with heavy showers, often interspersed with sunshine. In low season (November and early January) it can be difficult to find a full choice of restaurants open but there should be something open in every village every night, though you won't necessarily have a full gastronomic experience. Avoid Easter (we won't be able to get you in). Note: from April to September the route is busy and it is normally not possible to arrange one-night stays in Estellencs and Banyalbufar (nights 2 and 3). Instead walkers normally stay two nights in Banyalbufar and use the local bus to enable all described walking to be done. Itinerary Day 1 - Arrival day Arrive in Palma and check into your hotel. Stroll around the town, visit the Gothic cathedral and why not try tapas before dinner? page 3/8

4 Day 2 - Es Capdella to Estellencs After a short taxi transfer to the village of Es Capdella, your first walk begins gently enough as it passes the Finca Galatzo (a historic estate house well worth a visit) and then winds its way up to the head of the Galatxo Valley, for views of the Med. It s then down to Estellencs for a night in a boutique hotel on the edge of the village. ( Medium: 4¾ hrs, 14km, CUSs 670m) Day 3 - Estellencs to Banyalbufar Explore rural Tramuntana by heading off the GR 221 for a short while to pass the Font de s Obi and the Planicia estate before finally descending to lovely Penny s hotel in Banyalbufar. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon exploring the village and tasting Banyalbufar's unique Malvasia wine. (Easy-medium: 3¾ hrs, 10km, CUSs 485m) Day 4 - Banyalbufar to Esporles Note: the GR221 between Esporles and Valldemossa is currently closed, and there is no alternative path, so a transfer is at present necessary between Esporles and Valldemossa. We are working with the Mallorcan authorities to reopen the route. Until then, the time saved walking will give you a chance to relax and explore Banyalbufar and its ancient terraces, and the cultural town of Valldemossa. A steep climb up from Banyalbufar over its ancient terraces is rewarded by a wonderful woodland path, the Cami des Correu (The Postman s Path), all the way to Esporles. En route you ll pass La Granja museum and restaurant and here we highly recommend a visit. After a short taxi ride to Valldemossa, visit its monastery, home to Chopin and George Sand or just relax on your hotel terrace. (Easy-medium: 2¾ hrs, 10km, CUSs 485m) Day 5 - Valldemossa to Soller/Fornalutx It s said that rewards come only after some effort and, following a stiff climb out of Valldemossa, there can be no greater prize than the amazing 360 degree views from the Archduke s trail perched high atop the ridge. It s then a spectacular descent into Deia, a picturesque village, once home to Robert Graves, and a perfect stop for lunch. ( Medium-hard: 11km, 5¼ hrs, CUSs 690m). You can then bus to the fine old town of Soller, worthy in itself of an afternoon perambulation; or, if you re hardy try a longish ramble through undulating Mallorcan countryside before joining the Cami de Rocafort down to Soller (Full route Hard: 20½km, 8½ hrs, CUSs 1070m). For those staying in Fornalutx, it s another 3 km/1 hr gentle walk (or take a ten minute taxi) before reaching your hotel. Day 6 - Cuber to Alaro Continue on with a short transfer (included) to Cuber lake. From there, it s an easy walk to the Tossals Verd refuge along mountain trails past Gorg Blau, whilst enjoying some very dramatic views. The walk then takes you through the magnificent Sollerich estate and then gently downhill into Alaro, with its bustling village square, lined with excellent restaurants. (Medium: 5½ hrs, 17km, CUSs 555m) page 4/8

5 Travel Information ARRIVING BY AIR The only airport on Mallorca is Palma. Best intercontinental flights involve a change at Barcelona (daily flights to Palma). Land by: No limitations Return flight earliest: No limitations Flight information can change rapidly and not all flights run daily. Please do check directly with the airlines websites or Skyscanner (see below) before finalising any booking with us. Do not book your flights until we have confirmed that we have provisionally reserved accommodation for you. For up-to-date schedules and flights from all airports check Skyscanner. See Getting to the start of the walk below for transfer information. ARRIVING BY TRAIN For a shorter holiday option, consider starting or ending at Soller (train conection with Palma). Getting to the start of the walk Getting to the start of the walk: The first hotel is in the capital Palma, and the last in the village of Alaro. PALMA AIRPORT: Outward: shuttle bus 20 minutes, or taxi from rank direct to hotel. Pay locally. Return: taxi from Alaro to airport (40 mins) included in holiday price. Full transfer advice, is provided in your Walkers Pack. Contact us if you would like additional pre-booking information. page 5/8

Where You'll Stay This route is a little upmarket in terms of accommodation, all hotels being boutique in the best sense of the word, from the Hotel San Lorenzo in Palma, through two little gems in

Note: from April to September the route is busy and it is normally not possible to arrange one-night stays in Estellencs and Banyalbufar (nights 2 and 3).

See 7 night option. Night 1 Palma Hotel San Lorenzo (B&B) Boutique hotel, with pool, in the fishermen's quarter of the old town.

6 Where You'll Stay This route is a little upmarket in terms of accommodation, all hotels being boutique in the best sense of the word, from the Hotel San Lorenzo in Palma, through two little gems in Estellencs and Banyalbufar (try the paella at the latter), to Es Petit at Valldemossa (spectacular views) and the remarkable Ca n Reus at Fornalutx. Petit Hotel Alaro is a fitting finale. Note: from April to September the route is busy and it is normally not possible to arrange one-night stays in Estellencs and Banyalbufar (nights 2 and 3). Additionally in December and January our Estellencs hotel is closed. Instead walkers normally stay two nights in Banyalbufar and use the local bus to enable all described walking to be done. See 7 night option. Night 1 Palma Hotel San Lorenzo (B&B) Boutique hotel, with pool, in the fishermen's quarter of the old town. Night 2 Estellencs Sa Plana (B&B) Bijou historic pension, with pool, on the edge of the village, under Paquita's expert eye. Husband Tomeu is a winemaker. Closed Nov to Jan incl. Night 3 Banyalbufar Hotel Son Borguny (B&B) A pretty little hotel with the enthusiastic Penny as host. Excellent kitchen with local specialities. page 6/8

Night 4 Valldemossa Es Petit Hotel (B&B) Best hotel in

style hotel in the centre of the town. Pool.

renovated former Finca Rustica in the heart of Alaro,

7 Night 4 Valldemossa Es Petit Hotel (B&B) Best hotel in the village. Great views from the terrace. Gonzalo is a fine host. Night 5 Soller Can Isabel (B&B) Beautifully furnished townhouse. Closed Nov to Feb incl. Night 5(Upgrade) Soller Cal Bisbe (B&B) International style hotel in the centre of the town. Pool. Night 6 Alaro Petit Hotel Alaro (B&B) Completely renovated former Finca Rustica in the heart of Alaro, with pool. Night 6(Upgrade) Alaro Hotel El Nido (B&B) Tastefully refurbished, family run B&B in a quiet street in Alaro with pretty garden and pool. page 7/8

8 Prices Price: 935 Total 6 nights in double/twin room, all breakfasts, transfer to start of first walk and from Alaro to airport (or Palma) at the end, luggage transfers between all hotels on walking route; full Walkers Pack with route directions, maps, transfer and background information; local telephone support. All prices are per person unless otherwise indicated, and are based on a standard booking in April. Prices may vary seasonally and a fixed price will be given to you before you commit. Single Room Supplement (SRS): From 250 Lone Traveller Additional Supplement (LTAS): From 265 Larger party saving (LPS): Groups of more than 2 people (on identical itinerary) discount of at least 60 per person Maximum party size: 10 Add Ons Extra nights in any hotel: Check with On Foot Holidays (seasonal pricing applies) Upgrade hotels available in Palma and Soller: Check with On Foot Holidays (seasonal pricing applies) Guiding services by Jesca Scott: Price on application Sending Walkers Packs to addresses outside the UK and Ireland: (per pack, location dependent) On Foot Holidays Griffin House, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury, SP2 7RF, United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0) walks@onfootholidays.co.uk page 8/8

England Dorset. Route Summary. At a glance. How much walking? Dorset - In the footsteps of Thomas Hardy

England Dorset. Route Summary. At a glance. How much walking? Dorset - In the footsteps of Thomas Hardy Telephone: +44 (0) 1722 322 652 Email: walks@onfootholidays.co.uk England Dorset Dorset - In the footsteps of Thomas Hardy https://www.onfootholidays.co.uk/routes/england-dorset/ Route Summary At a glance