Hiking along the Dry Stone Route GR221
Mallorca‘s most well-known and best maintained and signposted hiking trail spans the 90km length of the Tramuntana mountains. The route got its name from the construction method used to line the route which didn’t use cement but instead only stones which are precisely lain on top of each other using a special technique. As you walk along the Dry Stone Route you will also come across many constructions built like this such as wells, water canals and lime kilns. These are often away from the main trail which means you have to do a bit of exploring to find them, but this makes it all the more interesting.
It is recommended you walk the Dry Stone Route, which takes you from Port d’Antratx to Pollença, in the given stages. The various parts vary considerably and range from easy to very difficult routes which can take between three and eight hours. On certain routes care is recommended and novice walkers, particularly those who are not familiar with the terrain, should start with a simple route or take a mountain guide with them. Good equipment, hiking gear is also necessary due to the stony ground and possible sudden rainfalls!
At the end of almost every section you will find a cheap, usually well-equipped, hostel (‘refugio’ in Spanish) which means you can walk at a relaxed pace from hostel to hostel each day without having to worry about finding a room for the night. These hostels are also intended for hikers, some have their own website which provides important information on their services and reservation whilst others need to be booked via the CAIB (Comunidad Autónoma de las Islas Baleares) website.
The best time of year for hiking, therefore also the busiest, is around spring and autumn. There is, however, enough shade on many of the routes which means you could also do it in the summer. If you do not have a car, prefer to leave it at home, or it’s just not possible to bring it with you, you can get to almost any of the bigger villages and towns in the Serra de Tramuntana by public transport (TIB).
Further route suggestions you will find here: ABC Mallorca
