DK Travel : Mallorca : Outdoor

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La Reserva (Walk)

The reserve on the slopes of Puig de Galatzo is best described as “Mallorca’s paradise”. A 3.5 km (2 mile) trail leads past waterfalls, springs and olive trees.
Mammals

You should see plenty of wild mountain goats in the more remote areas of Mallorca – and they’ll certainly spy you. Rabbits, hares, hedgehogs, civet cats, ferrets, weasels and other small creatures may take longer to spot. The Mallorcan donkey is also an increasingly rare occurrence – having been cross-bred with its Algerian cousin, there are less than 75 registered members of the unalloyed species that exist at present.
Marine Birds

Birdwatchers come from all over Europe to see rare migrants, especially at the S’Albufera wet-lands (see Parc Natural de S’Albufera), including marsh harriers, herons, egrets, stilts, bitterns and flamingos. Seagulls (including the rare Audouin’s gull), sandpipers, cormorants, ducks, ospreys and terns live along the rocky coasts.
Mirador de Ricardo Roca

A chapel-like structure at this lookout point has “Todo por la patria” (“All for the Fatherland”) over its door – a remnant from Fascist times – with “patria” blotched out some time ago by a liberal-thinking member of the new Spain. From here and a nearby café you’ll find dizzying views down to the sea far below.
Old Road to Sóller (Drive)

The drive over the Coll de Sóller, with its 57 hairpin bends, is the most terrifying in Mallorca. But it’s worth it to see what life used to be like before the tunnel opened.
Other Watersports

Paragliding and jet-skiing are popular. Though windsurfing is also popular around the whole island, it is really best only on the eastern and southern coasts, where the waters tend to be calmer, and within the protected bay of the Port de Sóller (see Port de Sóller). You can hire the equipment from various establishments along the beaches.

Watersports at Cala Deia

Watersports equipment for hire
Palma’s Walls (Walk)

The best part of the old wall for walking is along the Parc de la Mar (see Parc de la Mar, Palma).
Parc de la Mar, Palma

With its artificial lake, section of city walls and great views, this is a lovely place to stroll at any time. At night, the sparkling city lights and warm glow of the nearby cathedral and palaces add a magical quality (see Palma’s Walls (Walk).
Parc Natural de Mondragó

One of the newer preserves established on the island, this one is part nature, part heritage site. It incorporates a full range of island terrains, from wooded hills to sandy dunes, as well as an assortment of rural structures. Come here for hiking, birdwatching, picnicking, swimming or simply getting a feel for old Mallorca.
Parc Natural de S’Albufera

Pliny wrote of night herons, probably from S’Albufera, being sent to Rome as a gastronomic delicacy. The wetlands were drained for agriculture in the 19th century. What land was left has now been restored and turned into a nature reserve – the Mediterranean’s largest wetlands.