Daily Itinerary

Welcome to Palma Airport and our transfer north. Arrival at Palma airport, from where we will be taken north by our transport to the idyllic village of Port Pollensa. Here we will spend our first night at the Hostal Bahia B/B on the water's edge. A comfortable 2 star Hastal with ensuite bathrooms. This B/B is family run and well located. After we arrive in Port Pollensa if anyone wants to stretch their legs, 10 minutes away is the entrance to the Boquer Valley. At 6:30 PM, we will meet in the lobby for introductions, instructions, review of the weekly itinerary followed by a get acquainted dinner (included) with our guide Richard Strutt.

Transfer to Pollensa to start hike to the Lluc Monastery. Today's hike guided by me. After breakfast we transfer some 3.1 miles to Pollensa to begin our pilgrimage to the monastery at Lluc. The monastery (1300') is surrounded by an amphitheater of limestone mountain scenery. The terrain is a mixture of forest track, mountain path and country lane. It is a mild start for the week with two big days to follow. We will spend this night at the Monastery which is very comfortable as monasteries go with ensuite bathrooms and “stacks of character”. We will have to make our own beds with crisp white sheets waiting at the foot of the bed.....all part of the experience. Sheets, pillow, blanket and towel are included but not soap which you need to bring; shower type half bath in each room. Two things not to miss in the vicinity of the monastery are the “Blauets” Choir if it is not a local holiday and the mountain kid (that is the four legged kind) cooked at Sa Fonda restaurant. Our luggage will be waiting behind the reception desk when we arrive. Dinner included. Estimated 12.4 miles; 1950' ascent; 812' descent; estimated 5 hours hiking.

Hiking the high ground to Tossals Verds Mountain Refuge. Today's hike guided by me. As tonight's Hut is not accessible by our vehicle, we need to bring just a few extra items with us. The Tossals is 7 _ miles of a ridiculously difficult road. Our luggage will be transferred on to Soller. So we just travel light this night, with only a few essentials items we need and no more. After breakfast, we hike directly from our monastery at a steady climb on a good but rocky path following in the footsteps of the Nevaters (snow collectors) on up to the summit of “Gallileu” 1184- 3850' high overlooking the monastery. Next we hike along a dramatic wide ridge with stunning views all around. Then we descend into a gorge and then crest a high col where you can almost see forever!! Now we hike through an oak forest which acts like a show curtain as it pulls away to give great visibility of the agricultural carpet which dominates the central plain of the island. Tonight we sleep in the modern dormitory Tossals (1700') refuge with trail lunch prepared for us for the following day. Once again we make our own beds and bedding and towels are provided. The toilets and showers are split into men’s and women’s.  Dinner included. Estimated 10 miles; 2450 ascent; 1625 descent; estimated 5 hours of hiking.

Spectacular hike from Tossals to Soller. Today's hike guided by me. This day is a highpoint in itself. Today we will need flashlights/headlamps to find our way through a series of tunnels which are used to house and carry a water pipe from the Cuber reservoir down to the eastern flanks of the hills. You can just stand up in the tunnels which are 6 1/2' high & wide. This hike has a lot of vertical ascents and descents as well as some great vistas. Once we are through the tunnels, we arrive by the side of the highest mountain in Majorca, “Puig Major” 4700'. Majorca has the largest concentration of Black Vultures in Europe and on this island this location is their backyard. Now we hike up to the peak of the cone shaped “L'Ofre” 3500' offering sweeping views over almost the entire Island and then we descend down a ravine the locals call “Barranac de Biniaraix” which has been a path connecting east and west, since the 8th century. Our luggage will be waiting for us at the reception desk at the Hotel Generoso where we will spend the next two nights. This is a 2 star hotel B/B located right in front of the bay. Dinner tonight is not included and we will be given suggestions for some great places to eat.  Estimated 13 1/2 miles; 2760 ascent; 3575 descent; estimated 7/8 hours of hiking.

Rest day/Day off with several choices-recommended- walk the famous “Tuent”-Ses Barques route”. The Soller valley is possibly the best walking center on the island and it is therefore highly recommended that we spend our free day here to explore its many well marked paths and/or its cultural heritage. What ever are our group's interests, we will be able to tailor something to suit everyone. Also, if it is operating the boat to drop dead gorgeous cala Tuent with the colorful walk back is a must! We can also visit an age old olive press, followed by a true Mallorcan lunch of P'amb oli. There is also the authentic (since 1914) wooden train journey through the mountains. Dinner tonight is also not included.

Walk the coastal path to Deia. Today's hike guided by Richard Strutt as it is easy to get lost along the obstacle course of a coastline to heavenly Deia. In 2001, there was a very rough storm that uprooted many pine trees along the cliffs, thus making this hike an all together interesting venture. Deia was home to the writer Robert Graves (penned “I Claudius”) and also many “hippies” in the early 70's, but nowadays it is just a charming village. Our accommodation for tonight is a comfortable guest house in an enviable location. We dine together in Deia and then stroll its streets by moonlight! Dinner included. Double rooms en suite. Estimated 9 miles; 1365 ascent; 975 descent; estimated 4 _ hours of hiking.

The big pull from Deia to Valldemossa. Today's hike is guided by Richard. Our route climbs up to reach a majestic piece of engineering, The “Archdukes Pathway”, which offers stunning coastal views before we descend down to the flower decked village of Valldemossa with its warm stone colored architecture. Our high point for today is 3200'. The “Archdukes Pathway” is named for the Archduke Louis Salvador who is regarded as one of the islands first conservationists. He ruled here about 150 years ago and his passion and eccentricity resulted in the pathway we will be walking along. According to folklore, he built the pathway so that he could ride a mule and gaze over the mini kingdom he had created. It took 25 years to construct and is a marvelous legacy for all who appreciate mountain scenery. Just before him, the composer Fredric Chopin and his mistress spent a very wet winter in this area some 160 years ago. We will stop briefly in Valldemossa before being transferred to Palma de Mallorca. We will spend the next two nights in the capital Palma de Mallorca at the 3 star Hotel Zurbaran. Our evening meal (included) takes place in an old cellar previously used to celebrate bull fights.  Estimated 9 miles; 2570 ascent; 2100 descent; estimated 6 hours of hiking.

Bunyola Finale. Today's hike guided by Richard Strutt. After breakfast we take the train from central Palma to the town of Bunyola about 7 _ miles away to make our final hike on Mallorca. This area boasts three classy walks and we will simply do the one that our group prefers for our last day. “Mirador leandro Ximenis” - 8 miles; “Penyals D'Honor” - 8 miles; or “Serra de Namarit” - 8 _ miles. All of these hikes end in the very welcoming setting of the vibrant town square. Then we take the train back to our Hotel in Palma to explore the historic background of Palma, originally established by the Romans. Tonight’s dinner (not included) will be at one of the nearby recommended restaurants.

The trip ends after breakfast and we will then be transferred to the airport in Palma.

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