Mountain Walking in Mallorca - Paddy Dillon

Most visitors to Mallorca never venture beyond the coast, yet rising immediately behind the shoreline lies the Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage mountain range of rugged limestone peaks, ancient terraced hillsides, hidden gorges and centuries-old stone paths that rival any mountain walking destination in the Mediterranean. This comprehensive guidebook by expert author Paddy Dillon presents 50 walks across the Tramuntana, ranging from 4 to 24km (2 to 15 miles) and taking between 2 and 8 hours. Many routes involve steep ground, hands-on scrambling and navigational challenge, and are primarily geared towards those comfortable with mountain conditions. 50 walks are included, divided across seven areas, spanning the full length of the Serra de Tramuntana from Andratx in the southwest to Formentor and Alcúdia in the northeast, with bases including Valldemossa, Sóller, Deià and PollençaHighlights of the walk include the Torrent de Pareis gorge, one of the most dramatic canyon walks in the Balearic Islands, the island of Sa Dragonera, the Camà de s'Arxiduc ridge and the summit of Puig de Massanella, the highest accessible peak in MallorcaMallorca's ancient mountain heritage is experienced throughout, with routes following centuries-old drovers' paths, dry stone terraces and historic mountain tracks that formed the basis for the Serra de Tramuntana's UNESCO World Heritage designation1:25,000 Editorial Alpina mapping and downloadable GPX files for every walk, with detailed public transport information making most routes accessible from Palma and the island's main towns without a hire carPractical mountain guidance on weather, path conditions, kit requirements and safety, alongside notes on wildlife, wildflowers, history and food and drink throughout Mallorca mountain walking is unlike anything the island's coastal reputation suggests. This guidebook is the essential companion for exploring the Serra de Tramuntana on foot, and the best reason to see a very different side of one of Europe's most visited islands.