Walking in Mallorca - A Walker's Guide

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35 Alaró–Orient circular walk

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The walk to the Castell d’Alaró from Alaró is well known and deservedly popular. Less well known is the approach from Orient, a very attractive old village situated in a peaceful valley. This whole walk is full of interest, exploring the length of the s’Estret valley.

Alaró is an old town with narrow streets, many of them one way, and a full range of services. The church tower dominating the central Plaça de la Vila is a landmark at the beginning and end of the walk.

The first objective is to walk from the Plaça de la Vila, in the centre of Alaró, to the outlying quarter of Los d’Amunt. Walk gently uphill to leave the square along Carrer Calet. Turn left along Carrer d’Enmig. Turn right along Carrer de Can Coxeti, then take the second left turn at Los d’Amunt to reach the tiny square of Plaça de Cabrit i Bassa, where there is a shop and bar.

Walk straight through the little square to follow the road out of Los d’Amunt. The road is covered in tarmac until it crosses a streambed at Font de ses Artigues, and as it continues up through the s’Estret valley the surface varies from concrete to gravel. An attractive plantation of of palms is seen at Can Poleta, and rock walls constrict the road at one point.

Climb steadily through the valley, parallel to the Torrent de s’Estret, until the road swings left round the head of the valley. Watch carefully to spot a steep and stony path climbing to the right. It runs in a streambed, and stone steps take it uphill to S’Escaleta. Continue up a rugged mule track in a narrow valley, reaching a broad, wooded gap around 600m.

Turning left, a track runs towards a gap in a wall and there is a sudden ‘surprise view’ of the Vall d’Orient. (The track could be followed off-route, down to a road, to reach the village of Orient, if desired.) Before reaching the gap in the wall, turn right down a path on the wooded slope, dropping straight down to the PM-210 / Ma-100.
Turn right and follow the road past the Hotel l’Hermitage. Just after passing the K11.8 marker near Son Bernadàs, turn right through a gate onto olive terraces. Turn left and follow a track that gradually drifts away from the road. Go through a gate with a stile alongside, then the path slopes gently uphill towards a wooded gully. The path rises in zigzags on the wooded hillside to reach a col at 702m, used as a picnic area and, regrettably, a car park, at Es Pouet.

From here the way is signposted ‘Castell d’Alaró’ up a well-built path that joins another path used on the descent. The gatehouse of the castle is reached in 5 minutes by turning left at the path junction. Allow a few minutes for looking round here before continuing to the top of Puig d’Alaró at 825m.

For the descent, walk from the top of the Puig d’Alaró back down through the gatehouse and return to the path junction passed on the ascent. One option is to walk back to Es Pouet and follow the bendy road down to the Restaurant Es Verger. However, it is preferable to turn left as signposted ‘Alaró’ at the path junction and zigzag down to the bendy road well below the restaurant.

Turn left and follow the waymarked route down the road, which will reveal two short cuts down an old mule track. Watch carefully to spot two other options for short cuts, though on private property. The first stays fairly close to the road, and the second pulls further from the broad bends to pass a couple of enormous boulders before rejoining the road to cross a streambed. The road continues down through a gateway and passes the Son Penyaflor Agroturismo.

When a road junction is reached, there are two options to finish the walk. One is to turn left to reach the main PM210, and turn right to follow it, as the Carrer de Solleric and Carrer Ca’n Ros, back to the Plaça de la Vila in Alaró. The other option is to continue straight along a quieter road, the Carrer de Puig, then turn right along the Carrer del Pujol, to return to Los d’Amunt, if you parked a car there.

Alaró – Puig d’Alaró    2hr 30min
Puig d’Alaró – Alaró    2hr