1. GENERAL INFORMATION 1.1. Name of the practice This Good Practice has been documented by CERTESS Partner P5 and it has been given the reference code 6A-GP-P5-3 (Codes above: for Lead Partner GP use only) Ruta de la Pedra en Sec (GR-221), Serra de Tramuntana, UNESCO World Heritage 2010, Cultural Landscape category 1.2. Organisation/s carrying out the practice CONSELL DE MALLORCA, Dept. of Environment 1.3. Contact person/s Name of contact person: Mr. Josep Antoni Aguiló Ribas, Head of Environment Dept. E-mail: jaguilo@conselldemallorca.net 1.4. Location Country: Region: Area: SPAIN Balearic Islands, Mallorca Serra Tramuntana 1.5. Classification according to the component targeted primarily of a route development process (see Application Form, sect. 3.3.2 1 Route identification, reconnaissance and mapping 3 Route physical infrastructure 2 Promotion of route enterprises and products Development of instruments and services (e.g. media, ICTs, other fruition tools such as tourist pass/cards) If more than one classification type is chosen, please use 1 for primary category, 2 for second category. 2.3.2013 1
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRACTICE 2.1. General definition of the practice Main activity Main objective Heritage recovery, trekking activity and local and regional sustainable development Implementation of a trekking project to contribute to the sustainable management of Serra de Tramuntana of Mallorca, a Cultural Landscape declared UNESCO World Heritage status in 2010. 2.2. Time-span Started on 1988 Completed on Ongoing 2012 2.3. Main objectives of the practice Consell de Mallorca is the manager and promoter of the Ruta de Pedra en Sec (Dry Stone Route), the first long-distance footpath in the Balearic Islands approved as GR 221 by the Spanish Mountaineering Federation. This territory has a rich building heritage and dry stone paths which make this area an important trekking destination. This heritage is so important that in 2010 was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the category of Cultural Landscape. Along the trail the hiker can discover dry stone landscapes, fascinating historical ruins and explore the traditions, architecture, gastronomy and handicrafts of this privileged spot in Mallorca's geography. The route goes close to the coast and in some places reaches the loftiest peaks of the Tramuntana mountain range, being the highest point on the route the Coll de ses Cases de sa Neu at slightly over one thousand metres. This combination of coast and mountainous heights, coupled with the variety of the vegetation, shady holm-oak groves giving way to the typically Mediterranean scrub (garriga or maquis), help to enhance the scenic attraction of the path. Moreover, the trail is largely based on the network of ancient footpaths restored by the Consell de Mallorca, which works to make them accessible for hikers of all ages. This Grande Randonnée trail will have, when finally completed, 271 km, distributed in 8 stages of the main route and 9 variants that will connect mountain towns. The main route of the trail has a total length of 132 km and is divided into 8 stages; these take from four to seven and a half hours to walk, depending on the stage. - STAGE 3: BANYALBUFAR ESPORLES. - STAGE 5: CAN BOI MULETA. - STAGE 6: MULETA - TOSSALS VERDS. - STAGE 7: TOSSALS VERDS - SON AMER. - STAGE 8: SON AMER - PONT ROMÀ. - VARIANT A: S ARRACÓ. - VARIANT B : ES CAPDELLÀ ESTELLENCS. - VARIANT G : TOSSALS VERDS ORIENT. 2.3.2013 2
At the end of each stage and along the Dry Stone Route, Consell de Mallorca provides a total of 5 mountain refuges that offer the hiker board and lodging: Tossals Verds (Escorca), Muleta (Sóller), Can Boi (Deià), Son Amer (Escorca) and the Pont Romà (Pollença). Hikers can also stay at the Hostatgeria del Castell d'alaró managed by the Castell d'alaró Fundation. Moreover, in and around the towns and villages en route, there is a great choice of hotels, hostels, rural hotels and agritourism establishments, with a wide range of different categories and prices. 2.4. Achieved results Describe both qualitative and quantitative results of the practice: Qualitative results: - Historical trails and ethnological heritage restored. - Traditional buildings restored and converted into mountain refuges. - Promoting Hiking and its regulation as an outdoor, recreational, tourism, economic and cultural activity. - Sustainable economical development of the Tramuntana region in Majorca. Quantitative results: - The route has at present a total of 162 kilometres open and signposted, of which 85 km correspond to the main trail and 77 km form part of the variants. This Long Distance Route will have, when finalised, 271 km, distributed in 8 stages of the main axis and 9 variants that will allow to connect it with other municipalities or places of interest. - 14 villages of the Sierra de Tramuntana connected by trails. 2.3.2013 3
2.5. Partnership List of partners involved in the practice: Partner 1 Name of Institution Description Contact Person E-Mail: Role in the practice Partner 2 Name of Institution Description Contact Person E-Mail: Role in the practice (add more as necessary) 2.6. Target groups Identify target groups/customers of the practice: X X X X National authority Regional authority Local authority Private companies (large) Private companies (SMEs) Chamber of Commerce / Economy Regional Innovation Agency Financing institution Business incubator Research institution University Technology transfer institution Regional Development Agency Planning institution Educational institution / training centre Association (e.g. friends of the theme) Employers' association Trade union Environmental interest group Cultural initiative group / organization Non Governmental Organisation Other interest groups (provide details) > Private landowners, local guides 2.3.2013 4
2.7. Instruments and services Describe specific instruments and services l developed in the framework of the practice (i.e. websites, newsletters, catalogues, software, agreements or other regulations, etc.): Historical Hits In 1988 Consell de Mallorca started to implement actions of cataloguing and restoration of paths. These tasks are included in an inventory called Catàleg de camins de Mallorca. In 2002, the Spanish Mountaineering Federation approved and qualified provisionally the Ruta de Pedra en Sec as a Long-distance footpath (GR221). In 2004 began the program Camina per Mallorca, part of the Sustainable development Planning of Mallorca 2004-2010. On the 11th July 2008 Consell de Mallorca approved in plenary session the Regulation and Protection of Ruta de Pedra en Sec special Planning. 28/06/2011. Serra de Tramuntana inscribed on list of UNESCO sites as a cultural landscape for its landscape, cultural, historical and ethnological importance. 2012. During the current year, Consell de Mallorca has carried out initiatives scheduled in the Serra de Tramuntana s Management Plan, with the main purpose of promoting the Serra de Tramuntana and salient aspects of its cultural landscape. Among other initiatives, mention must be made of the incorporation of the Serra de Tramuntana Consortium, participation in forums organized by the UNESCO and Spanish Ministry for Cultural Affairs, the installation of World Heritage flags in all the Serra de Tramuntana s municipalities, publicized images of the area at all tourism fairs where Mallorca is promoted, the filming of the international production Cloud Atlas and a commercial for a well-known brand of beer. 2.3.2013 5
3. RESOURCES 3.1. Financial resources Specify the resources utilized for financing the different stages of the practice: Difficult to say due to the different actions it comprises since 1988 Specify the source/s of financing (divided between public and private funds, in % terms): 100% Public funding 3.2. Human resources Specify the persons (type & n ) engaged in the practice, including their specialization / background: Dry stone route 1 technical coordinator 5 Technicians 16 Dry stone workers 2 Technicians 11 Forestry workers Mountain refuges 1 Auxiliary technician 24 Mountain refuges staff (wardens, cookers). 3.3. Legal framework e.g. any contractual issues concerning copyrights, product or result exploitation rules 2.3.2013 6
4. MONITORING AND EVALUATION Insert: If the practise has not been assessed yet, please enter NONE: 4.1. Assessment methods and tools 4.2 Indicators Specify the qualitative and quantitative indicators used to assess the practice: Number of hikers using the mountain refuges. Number and kms of trails restored. Number of users/visitors of the web page. 4.3. Monitoring material available: Yes/No If Yes, please specify 2.3.2013 7
5. SUCCESS FACTORS / DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED 5.1. Enablers of the practice List of enablers involved in the practice: N 1 Name of Institution Description Contact Person E-Mail: Role in the practice N 2 Name of Institution Description Contact Person E-Mail: Role in the practice 5.2. Success Factors of the practice Describe success factors: This Long Distance Route or trail will be the longest hiker trail in the Balearic islands. It allows to discover the natural resources, landscape and to connect municipalities or places of interest. 5.3 Difficulties encountered Describe difficulties encountered and solutions adopted to overcome them: - Lost of trails. - Lack of maintenance works. - Changes in properties and land use. Solutions adopted to overcome them: - Recovering old trails by study and research. - Implementing restoring and maintenance works. - Agreements with owners and municipalities. 2.3.2013 8
6. INNOVATION AND OTHER SUCCESS FACTORS Assess the innovation and other success factors according to the effect they have had or may have on the region or the group of the stakeholders - The Dry stone route proposes to discover the landscapes built with the technique of dry stone in the Tramuntana, today declared by the UNESCO in the category of Cultural Landscape. Likewise, it makes possible to visit interesting historical old places, find the myths and the legends, know the traditions, the architecture, the habits, the gastronomy and the handcrafts of this privileged place of the Majorcan geography. - The route has as a main support, the network of ancient paths restored by the Council of Mallorca. It is accessible for hikers of all ages. Likewise the climatology of the island does make it practicable all year round. 6.1. Innovative content of the practice Specify additional information useful to justify the practice under review as innovative, compared to similar route planning and implementation practices: Describe the innovation content in relation to one or more of the following : Process: Product: Result: Partnership: Other (indicate): 6.2 Excellence of the practice Specify additional information useful to justify the excellence of this practice being potentially selected as a best practice/practice of excellence: 6.3 Influence on development of cultural route in the area and regional development at large Specify the influence exerted by the practice on the development of cultural route in the area and on the regional development at large 6.4. Profitability of the practice Specify returns, generated revenue, other results as applicable: 2.3.2013 9
7. TRANSFERABILITY & SUSTAINABILITY 7.1. Transferable activities and features 7.2. Conditions required for the practice to be developed in other contexts 7.3. Previous transfer experience (if the practice has been transferred already to another context) 7.4. Other information List articles, press notes, links to available information: http://www.conselldemallorca.net/?&id_parent=491&id_class=2992&id_section=3198&id_son=3204&id_g randson=4002 Specify any achieved public recognition of the practice: http://www.serradetramuntana.net/en/ http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1371 7.5. Sustainability Specify factors which can make the practice sustainable: REMINDER: Please confirm that the consent of the project representative has been obtained allowing the information on the good practice to be published on the CERTESS website and Good Practice data-base. 2.3.2013 10