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Trekking in Mallorca

GR221 - The Drystone Route through the Serra de Tramuntana

Guidebook to walking the GR221 Drystone Route (Ruta de Pedra en Sec) traversing Mallorca's Serra de Tramuntana between Pollença and Andratx. Following rock, paved paths and mule tracks between welcoming villages, the 140km (87 mile) trek is in 10 day stages and showcases the island's forests, mountains and drystone structures.

The eBook is also sold by Amazon Kindle, Rakuten Kobo, Google Play Books and Apple Books.

Quick facts

  • Trail name: Trekking in Mallorca — GR221 Drystone Route (Ruta de Pedra en Sec)
  • Location: Serra de Tramuntana mountains, Mallorca, Spain (Mediterranean)
  • Total distance: ~140 km / ~87 miles
  • Typical duration: ~1–2 weeks (flexible itinerary)
  • Start: Port d’Andratx (south-west)
  • Finish: Pollença (north-east)
  • Route type: Long-distance mountain trekking route in 10 daily stages; includes alternative starts and finishes
  • Difficulty: Moderate to challenging; some rough, stony paths and occasional steep sections (best for those with long-distance walking experience)
  • Terrain: Limestone ridges, mule tracks, forest and valley paths through UNESCO World Heritage Serra de Tramuntana
  • Navigation: 1:25,000 mapping with detailed route descriptions and GPX files available
  • Best season: Nearly year-round walking possible; very hot in summer, occasional winter snow on higher parts

Detailed overview

Discover some of the best trekking in Mallorca on the GR221 – Mallorca’s Drystone Route. This spectacular long-distance trail runs 140km (87 miles) through the sun-drenched Serra de Tramuntana mountains, stretching from Port d’Andratx in the south-west to the historic town of Pollença in the north-east. Linking a string of delightful mountain villages via ancient paths and mule tracks, the GR221 offers a unique way to explore the rugged, unspoilt heart of Mallorca, far from the island’s bustling beach resorts.

Best suited to walkers with some experience of long-distance routes, this comprehensive Cicerone guidebook divides the GR221 trail into 10 manageable daily stages, with additional alternative starting points (s’Arracó, es Capdellà, Calvià) and finishing options (Cala Tuent, Alaró, Orient, Caimari, Port de Pollença), allowing flexibility to create your perfect itinerary.

Traverse the dramatic limestone ridges, shady forests, terraced hillsides, and sun-scorched valleys of the Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pause in charming villages such as Estellencs, Valldemossa, Deià, and Sóller, where life moves at a gentler pace, and welcoming cafés offer well-earned refreshments.
The main GR221 route runs from Port d’Andratx to Pollença, but variant routes and extensions add further possibilities for exploration, totalling an additional 90km (56 miles) for those wishing to extend their adventure.
Enjoy year-round walking on Mallorca, with spring and autumn providing the most comfortable conditions for trekking. In spring, almond trees bloom, and the countryside bursts into life, while autumn brings ripe oranges and grapes to the valleys.
Details optional detours to climb neighbouring peaks, including the iconic Puig de Maria, for panoramic views across the island and the Mediterranean Sea.
Provides detailed route summaries for each stage of the GR221, including clear 1:25,000 Alpina mapping, daily statistics (distance, ascent/descent, estimated walking times), and practical advice on public transport, accommodation, and places to purchase food and drink.
Downloadable GPX files make navigation easy, whether you’re following the route in print or digitally, and are supported by expert advice for planning each stage of your journey. Background information on Mallorca’s rich history, flora and fauna, and a Spanish–Catalan–English glossary to help you connect with local life.


Plan your GR221 Drystone Route trek in Mallorca with confidence and immerse yourself in the wild beauty, tranquil villages, and living tradition of the island’s mountain heartland, supported every step of the way by the expert guidance in the Cicerone guidebook.

Where and when to go

Seasons

Possible nearly all year round, but it can be very hot in summer, while rare winter snowfall can cover the paths on the higher parts.

Centres

Port d'Andratx, Sant Elm, Estellencs, Banyalbufar, Esporles, Valldemossa, Deià, Sóller, Tossals Verds, Lluc, Pollença, Peguera, Calvià, Puigpunyent, Alaró, Caimari

Difficulty

Mostly on clear paths and tracks, but some of these can be rough and stony underfoot, and occasionally steep. Some parts require careful route-finding, though many stretches have been signposted and waymarked. The whole route can be completed by anyone with a little previous long-distance walking experience.

Must See

Serra de Tramuntana, Sa Dragonera, La Trapa, Puig de Galatzó, Puig des Teix, La Granja, Vall de Sóller, L'Ofre, Cúber, Tossals Verds, Puig de Massanella, Lluc Monastery, Puig de María, Castell d'Alaró

Table of contents

Map key

Overview map



Introduction

Serra de Tramuntana

GR221 - Ruta de Pedra en Sec

Brief history of Mallorca

Plants and wildlife

Travel to Mallorca

Travel around Mallorca

When to go

Accommodation

Language

Money

Food and drink

Water

Walking the GR221

Emergencies

Using this guide



GR221 - The Drystone Route

Stage 1 Port d'Andratx to Sant Elm

Stage 2 Sant Elm to Ses Fontanelles

Stage 3 Ses Fontanelles to Estellencs

Stage 4 Estellencs to Esporles

Stage 5 Esporles to Valldemossa

Stage 6 Valldemossa to Dei&##xe0;

Stage 7 Dei&##xe0; to Sóller

Stage 8 Sóller to Tossals Verds

Stage 9 Tossals Verds to Lluc

Stage 10 Lluc to Pollença and Puig de Maria



Alternatives

Alternative start A s'Arracó to Ses Fontanelles

Alternative start B es Capdell&##xe0; to Estellencs

Alternative start C Calvi&##xe0; to Estellencs

Alternative finish D Sóller to Cala Tuent

Alternative finish E Tossals Verds to Alaró or Orient

Alternative finish F Lluc to Caimari via GR222



Appendix A Route summary table

Appendix B Glossary

Appendix C Public transport

Appendix D Accommodation

Appendix E Useful contacts

Which format is best for me?

Printed book

A guidebook with detailed route descriptions, stage breakdowns, accommodation listings, profiles and maps — everything you need on the trail.

ISBN9781852848507
AvailabilityPublished
Published18 April 2017
Reprinted2 May 2025
Weight 250g

eBook

The complete digital edition of the guidebook, with full route descriptions, accommodation listings, profiles and maps, ready to use on any device.

Updates

  1. Updated

    Alternative Finish D

    The country house of Bàlitx d'Enmig is under new ownership. Abundant notices point out that walkers should no longer pass the house. A new signposted and waymarked route offers a diversion. Before reaching Font de Bàlitx, the route now runs through olive groves above Bàlitx d'Enmig, offering better views than previously, and soon descends to rejoin the original route. See the map extract and follow the new route indicated in green between A and B. Do not follow the former route.

  2. Updated

    Corrections

    Refuge Booking Page 27:

    The website for booking municipal refuges along the GR221 has changed. Please refer to https://seu.conselldemallorca.net/refugis/en/ruta/.

  3. Updated

    Corrections

    A small section of mapping was omitted from Alternative Start B.

  4. Updated

    GR221 signposts

    After a sudden burst of activity, the island council have signposted and waymarked almost all of the GR221, apart from Stage 1 between Port d’Andratx and Sant Elm, and the first part of Stage 2 to La Trapa. For the time being, if any of the route descriptions in the guidebook say that there are no signposts of waymarks, you can now expect to find those parts fully signposted and waymarked. Further additions to the trail are planned in the central parts, between Valdemossa and Orient.

  5. Updated

    March 2023

    The mountains of Mallorca have been severely affected by Storm Juliette, which dumped over 3 metres of snow in the high mountains of the Serra de Tramuntana. This was the worst snowfall since 1985.

    The weight of the snow caused branches to break off trees, as well as splitting trees apart or causing them to be uprooted. It is estimated that a million trees might have been severely damaged. Fallen trees have blocked some roads and paths to the point where they are completely impassable.

    The Consell island council) has already deployed 100 workers to clear fallen trees from roads and reopen mountain paths. After clearing the roads, they will be concentrating on the popular signposted and waymarked paths, but there is a danger that some paths on private estates might never be cleared, so bear this in mind when choosing routes.

    The mountains to the south-west of Valldemossa are the least affected by fallen trees, but the central mountain areas are worst affected.

    The GR221 trail, or Ruta de Pedra en Sec, is definitely closed between Font des Noguer and Lluc, as well as further downhill in the Vall d'en Marc. However, it appears that this trail is a high priority for being cleared.

    For the time being, expect problems with paths through the Easter season, with clearance work being undertaken throughout the rest of the year.

  6. Updated

    Signposts and waymarks

    Stage 1 - Port d'Andratx to Sant Elm

    Stage 2 - Sant Elm to Ses Fontanelles

    The first stage of the GR221 and part of the second stage, from Sant Elm to La Trapa, hadn't been signposted or waymarked when the book was reprint in 2025. However, during the printing process, signposts and waymarks were installed on these parts of the trail. This means that the entire GR221, from Port d'Andratx to Port de Pollença, is fully signposted and waymarked, as are several variant routes and spur routes. In the near future further variant routes and an extension to the main route beyond Port de Pollença are expected.

Meet the author

Paddy Dillon is a prolific walker and guidebook writer, with over 100 guidebooks to his name and contributions to 40 other titles. He has written for several outdoor magazines and other publications and has appeared on radio and television.

Paddy uses a tablet computer to write as he walks. His descriptions are therefore precise, having been written at the very point at which the reader uses them.

Paddy is an indefatigable long-distance walker who has walked all of Britain's National Trails and several European trails. He has also walked in Nepal, China, Korea and the Rocky Mountains of Canada and the US.

www.paddydillon.co.uk