The best hikes in Mallorca: five walks worth planning a day around

Mallorca is a walking island as much as a beach one. The best months are October to May; in summer the heat makes anything exposed unwise after eight in the morning. From a finca in the middle of the island, each of these is between 25 minutes and an hour by car, which means you can walk in the morning and be back for lunch at the long table. Times and heights are approximate.

1. Castell d’Alaró: a castle on a rock

About 25 minutes from the house. A steady path climbs to the ruined castle at roughly 820 metres, with views over the plain to Palma and the bay. It is a good first hike: allow three hours or so up and down, a real summit feeling, and suitable for fit children from about eight.

2. Puig de Randa and the Santuari de Cura: easy and quiet

Randa is the gentle one. A short walk on the hill above the village leads to the sanctuary and a view that takes in the whole of the Pla. Good for a family morning, for the first day after arrival, or for a slow walk in the evening light.

3. The Deià to Sóller section of the GR221

The GR221, the Dry Stone Route, runs the length of the Serra de Tramuntana. The stage between Deià and Sóller follows old mule paths through olive terraces with the sea below. It is one of the most beautiful short sections: allow about four hours and finish with a drink in Sóller. Check the weather first, and wear proper shoes; the stone is slippery after rain.

4. Puig de Galatzó: a proper mountain

At about 1,030 metres, Galatzó is a half day for confident walkers: roughly an hour and a half up from the Font des Pi car park and an hour down. The route is steep and rocky near the top, with a view of the south-west coast. Start early and carry water and a layer. The approach runs through a nature reserve, so check access and conditions locally before you set out.

5. The Torrent de Pareis: for experienced walkers only

A dramatic gorge that runs from near Escorca to the sea at Sa Calobra, five to six hours for the full traverse. It involves scrambling, wading and sometimes swimming, and it floods quickly after rain. Only go with the right equipment and a guide if you are not experienced, and never after wet weather.

What to carry

Water (more than you expect), a hat, a light layer, sun protection, and a charged phone with an offline map. Tell someone where you are going.

Our black book

Guests receive our black book of the places we use ourselves: where to eat after each walk, the villages worth stopping in, and a short itinerary for each. Back at the house, there is a pool, a pizza oven and a long table. See the house or tell us your dates.