Valdemossa Loop - Archduke's Pass - Hiking Trail - Mallorca
Valdemossa Loop - Archduke's Pass
-
/ Take a break and enjoy the scenery at the intersection of Deia and Valldemossa TrailPhoto: Iain Douglas, Macs Adventure -
/ Take your time walking up the steep winding road as you make your way to the topPhoto: Iain Douglas, Macs Adventure -
/ Looping ascent on the Archduke ridge passPhoto: Iain Douglas, Macs Adventure -
/ Deep blue skies as we near the highest point of the today's walkPhoto: Iain Douglas, Macs Adventure -
/ Get used to the amazing 360 degree views along the ridge!Photo: Iain Douglas, Macs Adventure -
/ Overview of ValldemossaPhoto: Iain Douglas, Macs Adventure
Enjoy spectacular coastal views and glimpses into traditional mountain industries, passing several charcoal ovens and lime kilns.
This is a glorious walk that uses the GR221 waking route to take you through a shaded gorge before climbing up to the plateau. Once there, you will follow the Cami d’Arxiduc along the stunning ridge, before making your way back down to Valldemossa. A truly rewarding walk that gives you amazing views of both North and South coasts of the island. Underfoot you will find a mixture of quiet tarmac roads, shaded forest trails and gorge pathways, before you find yourself on the fine stone path across the plateau and then along the ridge. The ascents are steep and long but the surfaces are good, and the paths and tracks are all well-defined.
Safety information
The ridge section, while perfectly safe under normal conditions, is however exposed, and if the forecast is for strong winds then you should seek local advice prior to your departure.
Equipment
Tips, hints and links
Points of Interest:
Cami de l’Arxiduc
Archduke Ludwig Salvator of Austria (1847-1915), who chose to make Mallorca his home, was known as a champion for Mallorca's wildlife, in an era when the term "conservation" meant nothing. Ludwig settled in Mallorca, buying up abandoned areas of land in order to preserve and enjoy them. His legacy includes the wonderful pathway (Cami de l’Arxiduc) that you will be using for most of today’s walk.
His main residence of Son Marroig, near the village of Deià, is now a museum, and much of what was his property now belongs to the American actor Michael Douglas - notably the Moorish style palace 'S'Estaca' that Ludwig converted from a ruined old manor house.
He is still held in high esteem, and the Govern de les Illes Balears (the local government body for the islands) held major celebrations on the centenary of his death during 2015.
Food & Drink
Valldemossa is well served with cafés, bars and restaurants, as well as a supermarket on Carrer Marques de Vivot (near the beginning of your walking route for today). There are no facilities on the route itself, and as this is a long walk it is essential that you take a packed lunch, snacks and plenty water for the day.
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
These maps and routes are designed to be used in conjunction with our traditional turn-by-turn route notes. We are have recently embarked on a conversion initiative to bring the two elements together, and this itinerary will be covered in due course.
In the meantime, using the two elements alongside each other should go a long way to ensure you have a safe, enjoyable and problem free day.
Book recommendations for this region:
Recommended maps for this region:
Questions & answers
You have a question concerning this content? Here is the right place to ask it.
Reviews
Photos of others
m
m
Jesper Holmstedt
Ben Meyer
Markus Werner