Mallorca - Serra de Tramuntana

La Seu Cathedral Construction started in the 13th century, went on over centuries until the recent past as is very often the case with huge cathedrals, and it never got finished. The old town of Palma, small roads, the fortress walls, etc., is worth a look before or after the hike.	The weather factor Islands in the Mediterranean are known for sunny beaches, a treacherous cliché in winter time, December is the favorite month for deep-pressure areas. From the roof of our hotel the cumuli over the mountains look awesome, but they are harmless compared to the small cirrus clouds spread all over the sky and which look less spectacular, hence not subject of this photograph.

The coast The moment the rain stops, a blessing by the way, visibility improves and a surrounding world emerges from the gray-whitish medium we were walking in. Some 1,000 m below the coastline appears with the town of Dejà at about the position under the white cloud.	Sóller The path through the Barranc de Biniaraix is an endless ascent to the pass of l'Ofre. Before reaching the top one can enjoy this view at the town of Sóller, which has a railway connection with Palma. The old roadways are broad and look quite comfortable at first, yet after some time the never-ending succession of round stones may cause some strain to the ankles.

Massanella The second-highest mountain of the island (1,352 m) under a layer of snow after the weather has turned for worse, something that happens several times throughout the winter at least in the highest mountains.	Coll des Prat Snow and a blue sky make a beautiful scene. There are walls on Mallorca, many of them form terraces used for agriculture, others were boundaries between properties. These so-called dry-stone walls are made from natural stones without cement. Surprisingly these walls reach up to the highest passes such as this at 1,205 m.

Outlook Forgotten is the bad weather, what remains is bright white snow, a blue sky and the clear air after the cold front with a view down at the Badia de Pollença.	Puig de Major The name already says it all: the highest summit on Mallorca (1,447 m) has fallen victim to the military, who is operating an air surveillance radar on top.

Puig Tomir

The panoramic view to the northwest from the area up at Coll des Prat gives an impression of the scenic qualities one can expect from the trail. Puig Tomir with 1,103 m dominates the picture, directly underneath is the old monastery of Lluc. The locals speak their own version of Catalan, "puig" stands for "mountain".

Sign The trail we were following is the GR 221 and still under construction. A good part of it is already fitted with signposts, refuges along the trail make it possible to hike for several days in a row.	Pollença Here, near the northwestern end of Mallorca, is one end of the trail with the refuge Pont Roma in the town of Pollença, not far from an ancient Roman bridge. This stairway leads up to a viewing point, which I recommend for a walk in the evening.

Port de Pollença A beach, many boats, apartments with straight view at the bight, this gives a hint about what it feels like staying here in summer. Yet I doubt it is as calm as it is now in winter.	Private property Mallorca is completely taken by people, offices selling real estate are commonplace in every community. Understandably so, when looking at such beautiful places as this one.

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