Here is a new side to Mallorca - an escape from the crowds. These walks will enable the rambler to discover rural traditions and explore quiet villages. The variety of scenery on this island is stunning - one can enjoy views from below and on top of magnificent mountains, or combine a coastal walk with a refreshing dip in the sea. By Graham Beech...

Grade: strenuous
Distance: 15 km
Time: 4 hours
Start & Finish: Platja de S'Illot
How to get there: drive from Alcúdia through the Mal Pas and Bon Aire developments. Stay on the northern coast road for a total of about 3.5 km from Alcúdia until you reach the parking area opposite the bar on the beach of Platja de S'Illot, which is almost opposite the small island of S'Illot. Alternatively, go by bus to Alcúdia and then take a taxi - you can telephone from the bar for return transport... A huge variety of plants awaits you on this walk, including dwarf palms, asphodels, cistus and - in the springtime - orchids.

1. From the parking area, walk downhill and then turn right onto a tarmac lane. After just a few metres, turn left into a hollow then right - uphill - through the woods on a clear track, with a ravine on your right. Fork left from the main track (15 mins) and then (20 mins) turn left at a T-junction. Just a few metres later, head right and the hermitage is in sight - just continue walking parallel to the coast.

2. Cross a torrent (25 mins) and, five minutes later, go past an old limekiln and turn right to head steeply uphill.

3. Arrive at the car park of the hermitage (40 mins). A 10-minute break is allowed for here. There are toilets - and water to replenish your supplies.

4. Continue on the old forestry track which leads uphill, behind the hermitage. Pass a chain suspended across the road and, after a sharp right-hand bend, go left up some steps. Continue around the hillside to an open area (1hr 20mins)

5. Continue for a further five minutes, passing a small stone construction, to the old lookout tower at the end of Penya des Migdia (1hr 25mins). Squeeze through the small entrance and out the other side for an excellent view of the Bay of Pollença.

6. Retrace your steps to point 4 on the main track (1hr 55mins). From here, march uphill along the wide forestry track. This levels out into an open area before the final assault on the Talaia d'Alcúdia. Arrive at the trig point on top of the mountain (2hrs 30mins) where there are a couple of stone buildings.

7. From here, face south-west, with sea to both left and right. Set off along the ridge and keep to the right. Follow green paint marks and soon you are off the steep part and safely on the ridge, where the path is clear. Continue on the crest of the ridge, following paint marks and cairns. The limestone under foot eventually ends (2hrs 50mins) and you follow a left-curving path to the pass of Coll de Ses Fontanelles (3hrs 10mins).

8. Hit a track and turn right. Head down the side of the ravine to join the path alongside the torrent (3hrs 20mins). The path crosses and re-crosses the torrent before climbing to a wider track - this is still heading in the same direction as the torrent and you must ignore all side tracks.

9. After a few more minutes, the track swings to the right over the hillside to give you some gorgeous views - of the Talaia d'Alcúdia to the right and flowers all around you.

10. At a junction (3hrs 40mins), go right for just 50 metres, then left. Stay on this wide track, ignoring all side tracks until you reach the ravine where we began our walk - albeit on the other side of the torrent. Turn left and you are back at your starting point (4hrs).

The complete version of this walk only appears in Holiday Walks in Mallorca. It has been abbreviated for rapid Internet download, so some of the background material has been omitted - but it will give you the flavour of this splendid walk!

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