GR221 Mallorca Hike – 5 Stages in Refuges

Arrival in Esporles

On the first day, you won’t be hiking. You’ll make your own way to Esporles, check in at your assigned lodging, and have the rest of the day free to rest and prepare before starting the GR221.

Take advantage of the afternoon to explore Esporles, a small village nestled in the heart of the Serra de Tramuntana and the starting point of this trek.

Esporles – Deià

The first stage of your GR221 Mallorca hike begins here. You’ll set out from Esporles and head into the Serra de Tramuntana, walking through holm oak forests and past old charcoal and lime kilns until you reach Valldemossa, where you can take a break before continuing.

From Valldemossa, you’ll tackle one of the day’s most special sections: the ascent along the Camí de s’Arxiduc, a historic mountain trail offering panoramic views of the coast and the Serra de Tramuntana.

You’ll then continue on to Deià, known for its stone houses and its location nestled between the mountains and the Mediterranean. This is where the first stage ends, and you’ll spend the night at the Refugio Can Boi.

💙 Howlanders Tip

If you still have energy when you arrive in Deià, you can hike the Camí des Racó, a short trail that leads to a waterfall and several natural lookouts with views of the village and the Mediterranean.

Deià – Sóller

The second stage will be the easiest on your GR221 Mallorca hike. You’ll set out from Deià along the Camí des Pintors, a trail that runs close to the coast and offers beautiful views of the Mediterranean.

Along the way, you’ll walk past old houses and historic paths—some of Arab origin—that have connected the towns of Deià and Sóller for centuries. At just 12 km with a moderate elevation gain, this will be a much more relaxed day than the previous one.

The stage ends in Sóller, one of the most iconic villages in the Serra de Tramuntana. You’ll have the rest of the day free to explore its historic center or head to the Port de Sóller and relax by the sea.

Sóller – Biniaraix Gorge – Tossals Verds

Today you’ll tackle one of the most challenging and spectacular stages of the trek. From Sóller, you’ll head into the Biniaraix Gorge, following its distinctive cobblestone path between dry-stone walls, terraced fields, and Mediterranean vegetation.

The route continues uphill until you reach Coll de l’Ofre, where you’ll be able to admire the Cúber Reservoir and Puig Major, Mallorca’s highest peak. As you proceed, the landscape will become increasingly mountainous until you reach the Tossals Verds Mountain Hut, located deep within the Serra de Tramuntana.

On this stage, you’ll need to carry everything you need to spend the night, as the Tossals Verds Refuge is not accessible by road. The rest of your luggage will be transported from Sóller to the Santuari de Lluc, where you’ll find it again at the end of the next stage.

💙 Howlanders Tip

Pack a light backpack with everything you’ll need for these two days and have the rest of your luggage ready to be transported to Lluc.

Tossals Verds – Puig de Massanella – Santuari de Lluc

Today you’ll tackle the highlight of the trek. You’ll set out from Tossals Verds and begin a gradual climb through holm oak forests toward the slopes of Puig de Massanella, where the terrain becomes rockier and more challenging.

You’ll continue gaining elevation until you reach the Coll des Prat, one of the most spectacular spots on this stage. From here, you’ll enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the Serra de Tramuntana before continuing toward the pass located below the Puig d’en Galileu.

From here, you’ll begin the descent along dry-stone paths and through holm oak forests until you reach the Santuari de Lluc, one of Mallorca’s most iconic sites. You’ll spend the night here and retrieve the luggage you left in Sóller.

💙 Howlanders Tip

If you want to extend your adventure, you can add an extra night at Santuari de Lluc and a private guided excursion to Torrent de Pareis, a spectacular adventure route between the towering walls of one of Mallorca’s most impressive canyons, ending at Sa Calobra cove. This option extends the tour by one day. Contact us to arrange it.

Santuari de Lluc – Pollença

The final stage of the GR221 begins. You’ll leave the Sanctuary of Lluc behind and walk along a pleasant forest trail toward Binifaldó, before beginning the gradual descent toward Pollença.

This final day is easier than the previous stages and will allow you to complete the last few kilometers of the hike while enjoying the scenery of the Serra de Tramuntana.

Puig Tomir Detour

If you’d like to end the GR221 with one final challenge, you can take the detour that climbs Puig Tomir—a more demanding alternative that extends the stage to 12.9 mi (20.7 km) with 2,790 ft (850 m) of elevation gain.

The extra effort pays off: from this area, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of northern Mallorca, and on clear days, you might even spot Menorca.

Whether you follow the main route or the detour via Puig Tomir, you’ll finish the 5 stages of the GR221 in Pollença. After checking in, you’ll have the rest of the day free to rest, explore the historic center, and celebrate the end of the trek.

Individual Departure from Pollensa

After spending the night in Pollença and completing the 5 stages of the GR 221 Mallorca trail, it’s time to wrap up this trek through the Serra de Tramuntana.

After checking out of your lodging, you can enjoy your last few hours in Pollença or continue your trip around Mallorca on your own.