The Serra de Tramuntana runs parallel to Majorca's northwestern coast
The scene
The largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands, Majorca is sometimes said to lack the defining quirk of its sisters. It’s not as irreverent as Ibiza, not as bohemian as Formentera, and is too big and popular to have Menorca’s characteristic calm. It might be because one of its best assets has remained largely out of the spotlight — the Serra de Tramuntana, a mountain range spanning 55 miles in the northwest. It’s a landscape of oak forests and 3,000ft-plus peaks, and it’s been listed by UNESCO for the way it’s been shaped by human ingenuity, with aqueducts, agricultural terraces and more. To access some great hiking through it, base yourself in Valldemossa village, which has a 14th-century monastery where Polish composer Chopin spent the winter in 1838. Other highlights are just a bus ride away — or a walk, for those up to the challenge.
Walking the Barranc de Biniaraix section of the 88-mile Dry Stone Route
The experience
The history of leisure hiking in Majorca dates to the 19th century, when Archduke Luis Salvador, cousin of Austria’s Empress Sisi, came here on his travels.
Did you know Majorca has two mountain ranges. The Serra de Tramuntana is the largest and the Sierra de Llevant in the northeast is popular with birdwatchers
Denne historien er fra November 2024-utgaven av National Geographic Traveller (UK).
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Denne historien er fra November 2024-utgaven av National Geographic Traveller (UK).
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Dianne Whelan
THOUGH NOT A SEASONED HIKER TO BEGIN WITH, THE FILMMAKER BECAME THE FIRST PERSON TO COMPLETE THE WORLD'S LONGEST TRAIL NETWORK
NIGERIA
The country's many communities come together over hearty meals with plenty of heat
Katie Hale
A VOYAGE TO THE GREAT WHITE CONTINENT IS BOTH A DREAM COME TRUE AND A CALL TO ARMS, TO PROTECT OUR ICY POLES AND, IN TURN, OUR PLANET
WILTSHIRE
BEYOND THE MAIN ATTRACTION OF STONEHENGE, WILTSHIRE HAS EQUALLY IMPRESSIVE ANCIENT SITES, GIANT CHALK HORSES AND COSY PUBS IN HISTORIC VILLAGES
BATH
Thermal baths and Regency heritage have put this Somerset city firmly on the travel map - and this year the spotlight will be on former resident and literary great Jane Austen, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of her birth
GRANADA
In this Andalucian city, flamenco is an art form as well as a way of life not just for traditional dancers and singers but also for hip-hop stars, classical guitar legends and street artists
India's Golden Triangle
LINKING DELHI, THE TAJ MAHAL AND THE PINK CITY OF JAIPUR, WITH DETOURS FOR TEMPLES AND TIGERS, THIS IS THE PERFECT ROUTE FOR FIRST-TIMERS. WORDS: POOJA NAIK
FORGED BY FIRE
A SUBTROPICAL ISLAND IN THE ATLANTIC, MADEIRA HAS RUGGED VOLCANIC MOUNTAINS THAT RISE ABOVE THE CLOUDS, NATURAL SWIMMING POOLS DOWN AT SEA LEVEL AND MORE THAN 1,900 MILES OF HISTORIC AQUEDUCTS TRACING THE LANDSCAPES IN BETWEEN
ADRIFT IN THE ARCTIC CIRCLE
A KAYAKING EXPEDITION THROUGH NORWAY'S LOFOTEN ISLANDS OFFERS WHITE-SAND BEACHES, ROYAL ENCOUNTERS AND THE CHANCE TO CHANNEL YOUR INNER VIKING
the RETURN
ON A PRIVATE GAME RESERVE IN SOUTH AFRICA'S KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCE, AN UNLIKELY CREATURE IS MAKING A TENTATIVE COMEBACK - AND VISITORS ARE OFFERED A GLIMPSE INTO THE CONSERVATION EFFORTS TO SAVE IT AND OTHER NATIVE WILDLIFE
