Hiking in Mallorca: guided and self-guided walks in the Tramuntana and beyond

From October to May. In spring the countryside is green and temperatures are mild, and in February the almond trees blossom inland. Autumn brings warm days and lovely light, though also the first heavy rain. In winter, walking is good in the lower and middle mountains, but watch for cold on the summits and short daylight hours.

In July and August heat is the main risk: little shade, lots of exposure and no water on the route. Our listings reflect this: ASI Reisen's GR 221 trip is only offered in March, April, May, September and October, and the Castell d'Alaró listing excludes July and August. If you walk in summer, start at dawn and choose short or shaded routes.

The Torrent de Pareis is the island's most famous gorge and ends at Sa Calobra. Zig Zag Mallorca does it in about five hours, with around three in the gorge bed; other companies run six- or seven-hour versions. You need to be fit and comfortable moving over boulders, and the outing depends on rainfall. Prices vary widely between operators.

The Camí de s'Arxiduc above Valldemossa is a ridge route with sea views that is part of the GR 221 network. The guided walk we list lasts about five hours after a safety briefing and starts at 74 euros according to one listing, including guide, photos and video but not transport. Sources rate it as difficult, and part of the route crosses a private estate that may require permission, which is another reason to go with a guide.

According to our listings, neither is suitable for pregnant women, people with reduced mobility or young children.

The GR 221, the Dry Stone Route, crosses the Tramuntana from end to end. Walking all of it independently means planning stages and accommodation. An alternative is a guided trip: ASI Reisen offers eight days covering the GR 221 highlights in groups of 2 to 12, with six walks graded 3 (generally good paths, but you need to be sure-footed), regional lunches and three hotels. It includes Cap de Formentor.

The 2026 page states that flights are included and shows a price from about 2,115 euros, though other versions of the page show 2,090 and 2,075 euros, so check the current figure on the listing. It runs in spring and autumn, which are exactly the good walking months.

The Castell d'Alaró is one of the best half-day walks on the island. The castle can only be reached on foot: from the Es Verger estate a guide estimates about 45 minutes up a well-kept path, and from Alaró or Orient there are circular routes of 7 to 8 kilometres taking about three hours. At the top is a refuge with a chapel serving coffee and sandwiches, and hot meals if you order ahead. Some stretches have loose gravel, so wear sturdy shoes.

Sa Dragonera is another option, with sea all around. The Sa Calma Boats crossing from Sant Elm takes about 15 minutes, and the uninhabited island, a nature reserve, has paths to explore. Inland, the Santuari de Lluc is a base for walks in the surrounding hills, and the Santuari de Cura on top of Puig de Randa rewards the climb with views over the central plain.

If you want something flat, the Parc Natural de Mondragó in Santanyí has easy trails of 15 to 60 minutes between coves and pine woods, according to the regional government website. Guided visits are free and booked by phone, and a Joelette all-terrain wheelchair can be borrowed with three weeks' notice. Parking is paid, according to one guide.

In the north, the Parc Natural de s'Albufera between Muro and Sa Pobla is the island's main wetland. Entry is free with prior registration, and there are walks with a park ranger on Saturday mornings. For birdwatchers, Naturetrek runs eight-day trips with a specialist guide and accommodation near Port de Pollença, including slow-paced and beginner versions; prices are published in pounds.

With children, choose short routes with a reward at the end. Mondragó combines an easy walk with a cove to swim in; our listing gives it top marks for families. The climb to the Castell d'Alaró from Es Verger, about 45 minutes, is manageable for children used to walking, with the castle and refuge as the prize. The Raixa estate in Bunyola offers a gentle stroll through gardens, free to enter according to recent guides.

Save the Torrent de Pareis and the Camí de s'Arxiduc for when they are older. And always allow twice as many breaks as you would take on your own.

Carry more water than you think you need, as there are hardly any reliable springs in the mountains. Add a cap, sun cream, hiking boots with good grip, a warm layer and some food. Download the route map before you set off, as signal drops out in gorges and valleys.

Check the forecast: after heavy rain, gorges become dangerous and rocky paths turn slippery. Respect private estates and access signs, as several Tramuntana paths cross private land. Tell someone your route and return time, and remember that the emergency number is 112.