AN AUTUMN PLAYGROUND FOR KEEN CYCLISTS AND HIKING ENTHUSIASTS, MALLORCA IS A MUST-VISIT FOR THOSE SEEKING OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

• Mallorca experiences milder temperatures of around 21 degrees during the Autumn months, making them perfect for hiking and cycling

• Newly opened, Hotel Valldemossa, and eco-retreat, Can Auli, sit in prime positions within Mallorca’s UNESCO Serra de Tramuntana mountain range – the perfect base from which to explore

August 2024 – Autumn in Mallorca is, in many people’s opinion, the best season on the island – especially if you ask the locals. Not only are the days warm and the sky blue, but the cobbled streets of Valldemossa remain quiet and the sleepy town of Pollenca is filled with mostly locals and the odd cyclist or hiker.

Why visit out of season?

The temperature often reaches 27 degrees in September and 23 degrees in October, making Mallorca an idyllic out of season getaway especially for those who enjoy hiking and cycling. Over 300,000 cyclists visit the island every year to enjoy the over 270km of trails.

Cycling in the Sierra de Tramuntana Mountains

In addition to being a great location for hiking, Pollenca and Valldemossa are popular with cycling enthusiasts because of their distinctive trails. One of the most famous routes in Mallorca is the climb to Sa Calobra, a 10-kilometer ascent with 26 hairpin turns that has become a must-do for many cyclists. The ascent to Puig Major, the highest peak on the island, offers another demanding climb rewarded with spectacular sea views.

Other notable routes include the ride from Andratx to Pollenca, which still covers a significant portion of the famous mountain range, the picturesque route from Sóller via Deià to Valldemossa and the scenic trip to Cap de Formentor, which local people affectionately refer to as “the meeting point of the winds”.

Where to stay?

Hotel Valldemossa recently opened in February 2024 and is just a ten-minute stroll from the quaint village of the same name. Once described by world renowned nineteenth century composer, Frédéric Chopin, as “the most beautiful place in the world”, Valldemossa is one of the island’s most popular regions. Autumn is a superb time to visit this historic little town and discover all that it has to offer without the hustle and bustle of peak season tourists.

Once part of the Royal Charterhouse Palace, Hotel Valldemossa is now a destination in itself with twelve adult-only exclusive rooms offering panoramic views of Mallorca, an indoor and outdoor pool, a spa known as the Sanctuary, and renowned gastronomic space, De Tokio a Lima – an outpost from Palma de Mallorca serving a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine with a Mediterranean twist.

Another accommodation option is Can Auli, housed in a 17th-century mansion and located in the heart of Pollenca in the north of the island. Centuries ago, the 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-protected mountain range. The hotel features 21 inviting and cosy rooms spread across three floors and a serene walled garden with pool. Its El Comado gastro-bar offers a relaxed, cosy space with an open kitchen concept.

Boutique luxury retreat, Can Auli in the heart of Pollenca, and Hotel Valldemossa tucked away in the village of Valldemossa in the heart of the Sierra de Tramuntana, have partnered with local hiking guide, Martin Bestard, to offer guests the opportunity to explore the UNESCO Tramuntana Mountains and its surroundings from a different – and more picturesque – perspective. Hotel guests have the opportunity to embark on the region’s most rewarding trails either by foot or by bike.

Both hotels have their own bike garages, too – a real USP. 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. Both Can Auli and Hotel Valldemossa have a partnership with local company, Cycling Friendly, who can arrange bike rental, guided tours, transfers, coaching, and biomechanics, too.

Hiking Partnership with Local, Martin Bestard

As a Mallorcan, Martin developed a deep passion for nature from an early age. He pursued studies in natural and landscape resources, which led to work at renowned sites such as Temple Newsam in the UK and Cabrera Maritime-Terrestrial National Park in Mallorca. His love for exploring the world’s natural beauty has taken him to iconic locations like Loch Lomond and The Trossachs in Scotland, Vatnajökull National Park in Iceland, Manu National Park in the Peruvian Amazon, and Kruger National Park in South Africa.

Despite these travels, his true passion lies in the Tramuntana Mountains and the various natural areas of Mallorca, which he has explored extensively on countless excursions. As a local, Martin has access to private trails and properties, thanks to close relationships with landowners. A portion of his guiding fees is donated to these owners, contributing to the preservation and maintenance of the historic environments.

Below, Martin suggests some of the top routes available when departing on foot in the regions of Pollenca and Valldemossa:

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 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 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. Hikers will enjoy this 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.