IT MALLORCA’S CAN AULI PARTNERS WITH LOCAL HIKING GUIDE TO OFFER GUESTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE POLLENCA FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

Boutique luxury retreat, Can Auli, in the heart of Pollenca, has partnered with local hiking guide, Martin Bestard,  to offer guests the opportunity to explore Pollenca from a different – and more picturesque – perspective.

Housed in a 17th-century mansion, five-star Can Auli is a luxurious adults-only retreat in the heart of Pollenca in the north of the island of Mallorca. Centuries ago, the historic and character-filled building was the residence of a local doctor, but now it serves as an oasis of calm at the foot of the UNESCO Tramuntana Mountains.

Being located at the foot of Sierra de Tramunatana – a declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO – makes Can Auli a top destination for hiking (and cycling!) lovers. Thus, Can Auli has introduced a partnership with an expert local guide – Martin Bestard – to offer some of the region’s most rewarding hikes and trails. As a local, Martin has access to private trails and properties whose owners he is friends with, meaning a guided hike with Martin opens up exclusive paths less trodden.

A perfect activity for autumn travels with weather averaging around 20-23°C degrees, guests can choose between relaxed routes, rural roads, and challenging climbs up Sa Calobra – a serpentine winding that leads to iconic lighthouses, historic castles, and secret coves.

Below, Martin suggests some of the top routes available when departing Can Auli on foot.

For Wine Lovers

For wine lovers, Martin recommends opting for the Hike & Wine experience to Son Vich de Superna – a private wine estate located within the Sierra de Tramuntana Natural Park. Along the way, Martin will explain the natural and cultural characteristics of the area, highlighting the rural landscapes and primary forests typical of the park. Hikers will be invited to visit the wine cellar where they will learn how the vineyard produces and bottles their wines before moving on to the tasting room to sample a selection of wines, accompanied by a simple pairing and, of course, a visit to the shop. The hike starts at 10am at the hotel and takes around 2.5 hours with one hour spent at the wine tasting. With a total distance of five kilometres and an ascent of 188 metres, guests won’t have to be expert trekkers to embark on this trail.

For History Lovers

Those wanting to find out more about the local area should join Martin on a hike to Son Real Public Estate in Santa Margarita. Taking in the stunning surroundings en route, hikers will arrive at the Son Real Public Estate which sits almost in the middle of the bay of Alcúdia and has been continually inhabited from remote prehistoric times until now. Here, archaeologists have found remains from the pre-talayotic era (4,000 years old) and the talayotic era (some 3,000 years) all the way to the Roman (a little over 2,000 years) Islamic and medieval eras. Guests will depart the hotel at 10am to embark on an hour-long drive to Santa Margarita where the hike begins. Guests should prepare to walk through the history of the area for around 2.5 hours and 7.5 kilometres.

For those Seeking a Challenge

For those wanting to reconnect with nature and embark on a somewhat more challenging trek, a hike to Mirado de ses Puntes offers the most breathtaking landscapes of the area while taking hikers up to around 500metres. Located in Tramunatana Natural Park, the guided walk takes guests through the Tramuntana Mountains and will grant them with some of the most sensational vistas of the island. After being picked up at the hotel at 10am for a 25-minute drive to Valldemossa, hikers will enjoy a four-hour long hike through Balearic nature with a picnic stop at the halfway point at the private refuge of s’Arxiduc, where hikers can indulge in local bread, olive oil, tomatoes, cheese, and sausages while sipping on Mallorcan wine.

In addition to being a great location for hiking, Can Auli is popular with cycling enthusiasts because of its unique trails located nearby. Can Auli has its own bike garage, too – a real USP. It’s a state-of-the-art cycling centre with bicycle racks, tyre pumps, a repair workshop, a shower specifically for bikes, and maps with personalised routes from the hotel’s doorstep. Can Auli also offers guests comforts for practising via their collaboration with a local company, Cycling Friendly, such as transfers, coaching, guided tours, bike rentals and biomechanics.