If you love hiking, beautiful nature, historic sites, and a little adventure, the Mallorca Crossing (GR221 trail), also known as the Dry Stone Path, might be just the thing for you. This long-distance trek takes you through the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The route is approximately 140 kilometers long, stretching from Port d’Andratx in the southwest of the island to Pollenca in the northeast. The total length of the route and the number of stages may vary depending on the options you choose and your pace. Most people complete the route in 7–10 days. The route passes through ancient olive groves, pine forests, and traditional Mallorcan villages.
The Mallorca Crossing is one of Europe’s long-distance hikes—you definitely can’t go wrong if you pack your backpack, leave your worries behind, and set out.
Facts About the “GR221” Hike Across Mallorca
Length: Approximately 140 km
Highest point: Coll des Prat (1,205 m above sea level)
Start: Port d’Andratx (southwest Mallorca)
Destination: Port de Pollença (northern Mallorca)
Total elevation gain: approximately 6,000 m of ascent and 6,000 m of descent
Recommended duration of the transition: 7–10 days
Difficulty: Moderately difficult trek—steep climbs, rocky trails, long stretches away from civilization.
Trail Markings: Relatively good, but in some places the markings are missing or confusing.
Accommodations: Official campgrounds, mountain huts, camping under the stars (officially prohibited).
Water sources: Limited; planning is essential—some springs dry up in the summer.
Most beautiful sections (in our opinion): Valldemossa, Deià, Sóller, the Cúber and Gorg Blau lakes, and the Lluc Monastery.
When to set out on the GR 221
The ideal time to visit Mallorca is in the spring (March through May) or fall (September through November). Temperatures are pleasant then, usually ranging from 15–25 °C. In the summer, the heat can be sweltering, while in the winter, you may be surprised by low temperatures, wind, and even snow.
What’s more, the timing of the trek can be easily combined with exploring the rest of the island. Outside of peak season, there are fewer people everywhere and it’s more pleasant. You can find more detailed tips for a vacation in Mallorca—including a monthly temperature overview— in the article on the AXA portal.
In March, when we went on the trek, we came across patches of snow in some places. A week before we arrived, there had even been a severe storm that damaged part of the trail and complicated our plans a bit, but that’s all part of the adventure.
Recommended months:
- Spring (March–May): ideal temperatures (15–25 °C), nature in full bloom.
- Fall (September–November): stable weather, pleasant temperatures.
- Summer (June–August): Not recommended due to high temperatures (30+ °C) and a lack of shade.
- Winter (December–February): Cold weather, wind, and snow at higher elevations are possible.
What to Pack for a Hike
- Backpack and essential gear: a 40–50-liter backpack , tent, sleeping pad, and sleeping bag (if sleeping outdoors), headlamp, trekking poles, offline map (we recommend downloading the area from mapy.cz), and a power bank. Don’t forget sunscreen, as the sun can be quite strong at higher altitudes.
- Clothing (depends on the season; we went in March): a long-sleeved technical T-shirt, a light sweatshirt, a down or insulated jacket for the evening and night, sturdy hiking boots, a hat (it’s very windy in the mountains).
- Food and Water: At least 2–3 liters of water per day, a water filter, a mess kit and a gas stove, freeze-dried food, nuts, and dried fruit.
Water Sources Along the Route
Villages and Towns
Most of the villages along the route—such as Estellencs, Valldemossa, Deià, and Sóller—have shops, restaurants, or public fountains where you can refill your water. However, the fountains are sometimes merely decorative or closed (especially during the off-season), so you can’t rely on them 100 percent. We encountered perhaps only two working fountains during the entire trip.
Natural Resources
In some areas, especially around the lakes (Cúber, Gorg Blau), you can find natural water, but it’s recommended to filter or disinfect it, as it may not always be safe to drink. There aren’t many natural springs along the way—we didn’t come across many, and when we did, they were dry.
Refuges (mountain huts)
At some mountain huts along the trail (such as Refugi de Muleta or Tossals Verds), you can refill your water bottles. These huts often offer basic snacks as well, when they’re open. We didn’t stop at a single one during our entire trip.
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Day by Day: Our Adventures
Day 1: Arrival in Mallorca
We flew from Vienna to Palma de Mallorca, where we arrived in the afternoon. We spent the morning exploring the capital. The Cathedral of Our Lady, also known as La Seu, captivated us with its Gothic architecture. This cathedral is one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Europe. While in Palma, we also recommend visiting the Arab baths, which are a reminder of the island’s rich history.
We took a walk through the old town and enjoyed our first coffee under the Spanish sun—and boy, did that sun burn! After touring the city, we headed to the beach, not far from the airport, where we planned to spend our first night under the open sky. Even though planes were landing overhead all night long, it had its own charm. It was our first taste of adventure.
Day 2: Palma de Mallorca and the start of the hike in Port d’Andratx
22.9 km, 1,243 m of ascent, 575 m of descent
After touring the town, we boarded a bus to Port d’Andratx. Buses in Mallorca run frequently and are reliable. The trip took us about half an hour. The first few kilometers of the GR221 trail lead over the first hills to the village of Sant Elm; the hike was pleasant and went by quickly, but that soon changed because as soon as we left Sant Elm, the trail continued into the mountains, which really got us warmed up for the days ahead. And the views of the sea and the surrounding countryside were a reward for our efforts.
That evening, we spent the night high up in the mountains, surrounded only by nature and the stars. Even though temperatures had been above 20 °C during the day, a cold wind blew at night.
Day 3: Estellencs and Esporles
26.2 km, 744 m ascent, 1,122 m descent
On the third day, we began our descent to the village of Estellencs. This small village captivated us with its tranquility and traditional stone architecture. After a short rest and buying some water at a local shop, we continued on toward Esporles.
We walked 26.2 km that day—I’ll tell you, it was quite a workout for our knees, especially considering that we were walking downhill most of the way. The closer we got to Esporles, the more we passed orchards and stone sheds belonging to the locals, who have their own little plots of land up here in the mountains.
Just past Esporles, we run out of energy and lie down to sleep right next to the road on a patch of grass.
Day 4: Valldemossa
18.1 km, elevation gain 1,172 m, elevation loss 1,032 m
Valldemossa is one of the most beautiful places in Mallorca. We stopped for a glass of wine and enjoyed some local specialties. This town is famous for the monastery where Chopin stayed with his lover, George Sand. After this cultural interlude, we continued on into the mountains. We climbed again, only to descend once more at the end of the day and spend the night in the woods once more, this time just outside the village of Deià.
Day 5: Deià and Sóller
18.6 km, 540 m elevation gain, 880 m elevation loss
In the morning, we were in the picturesque village of Deià in just a few minutes, where we enjoyed a hearty breakfast. Then we headed to Sóller. Sóller is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Mallorca. When you arrive at the main square, Plaça Constitució, you’ll be immediately charmed by the atmosphere of the place. The historic tram that runs through here connects the town with the port of Port de Soller. The town is known for its citrus production—be sure to try some fresh orange juice. Sóller also has beautiful cobblestone streets and interesting museums, such as the Museum of Modern Art. We had coffee in the square and simply watched the hustle and bustle around us.
After resting, we set off toward Port de Sóller, where we enjoyed a beautiful view of the harbor. In the evening, we found a place to sleep right above the harbor town.
Day 6: Lakes, a storm-damaged trail, and a moment of reflection
32.5 km, 1,279 m of elevation gain, 1,691 m of elevation loss
That day, a challenging climb awaited us around the Embassament de Cúber and Gorg Blau lakes up to the highest point of the entire trek at Coll des Prat (1,205 m above sea level). Remnants of snow and fallen trees reminded us just how harsh nature can be. We had to navigate the closed section of the trail because turning back wasn’t an option. With a bit of caution, we made our way all the way to Lluc, the spiritual center of Mallorca.
The main attraction of this area is the Santuari de Lluc monastery, which has served as a place of pilgrimage since the 13th century. Legend has it that a young shepherd found a statue of the Virgin Mary here, which has since become a symbol of the Mallorcans’ faith. The statue, known as “La Moreneta,” is now housed in the monastery’s chapel and attracts pilgrims from all over the world. We seriously considered staying at the local campground for the night, but since we’re naturally quite frugal, we decided to play it safe and camp right next to the entrance.
Day 7: Pollença
18.6 km, 208 m elevation gain, 672 m elevation loss
The sixth day was physically and mentally demanding. Fallen trees kept slowing us down, but we finally made it to Pollenca, where we enjoyed a well-deserved lunch. We decided to skip the last stretch to Port de Pollenca and hitchhiked back to Palma. That evening, we spent the night again at the same beach we’d visited on the first day.
Walking AcrossMallorca, Day 8: Palma de Mallorca
We spent our last day exploring Palma. In the morning, we visited the market and bought some small souvenirs. We had traditional Spanish paella with seafood and enjoyed the city’s atmosphere. That evening, we spent the night at the airport, ready for our morning flight back.
