The east part of Mallorca has got a lot to offer to a keen walker; especially those who want to enjoy sea views. An important added value to this area is its calm and sort of wild environment, where you are most likely to be walking if not completely alone, then with very less other hikers in sight. Mountains are not as high and dramatic as in the Serra the Tramuntana, but the rocky and steep summit of “Bec de Ferrutx” is still very impressive due to its sharp drops and 528m over sea level.

We park our cars next to a small hermitage nearby Artà which construction dates back to 1805 and was built on a former Muslim farm called Binialgorfa by the religious community “San Honorato de Randa y de la Trinidad de Valldemossa”. Our walk starts very next to the hermitage and at first the path crosses old terraces, today overgrown by the Mauritanian grass “càrritx”.

After a while we can see on a distance one of the islands climbing meccas; with climbing routes such as “Cain 7c+”, “Wild Wodow” and “Septiembre Negro”, actually this area counts up to 60 different climbing routes. We continue on the path that is quite clear most of the time (you can see where people have been walking due to the dried and stepped down “càrritx”) and on the rocky parts of the path there are a few stone Cairns showing us the way. This route is however completely lacking signposts and therefore we either recommend that you do this route the first time with a guide or someone who knows it well.

The route is softly ascending and we enjoy views towards the northwest part of the island including the bay of Alcúdia with Colonía Sant Pere, Son Serra de Marina and Can Picafort. Later on we will have splendid views over great parts of the island, especially if it’s a clear and a bit windy day. Until now the route has not presented any greater difficulties other than going over rocks mostly small ones and going downhill through grass. The stone we walk on is limestone and the Mediterranean dwarf palm is easy to spot, the same goes with the native “Estepa Joana” (hypericum balearicum) and the wild Balearic goat. During wintertime horses, cows and donkeys past on the wide heights of the Bec the Ferrutx as well as on other nearby peaks such as “en Pelat” and “Puig d’en Xoroi”. The last part of climbing towards the summit needs some more concentration as the stones are bigger and the path gets narrower. The final part is done over the stones without any path, but you can clearly see where you are heading; to the top!

Once on the top, Bec de Ferrutx offers a unique view of large areas of Mallorca; the bays of Pollença and Alcúdia, Cap Formentor, Sierra de Tramuntana, Es Plà, Puig de Randa, the entire north eastern peninsula and even the island of Menorca. To come back you follow the same path back to the hermitage.

Facts about this walk:

• Duration: 4hrs (each way – breaks not included).
• Difference in altitude: 228m ascending / descending.
• Difficulty: Easy-Medium.

Mallorca hiking scheduled walks for February 2016 (please contact us for more info):

2^nd of February: GR221 Stage 2A Esporles to Valldemossa

10^th of February: Circuit out of Valldemossa and along the Archduke’s Bridleway

18^th of February: Circuit around Sóller and its surrounding villages

23^rd of February: An inland circuit – stepping back in time (Puigpunyent)

Nina Harjula

info@mallorcahiking.com
Tel: +34 699 906 009
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