We are going to the Plaza Constitución where the old Sóller church is located. We will then continue along el carrer Bauza and go through a series of narrow alleys until we arrive at the Soller petrol station. Situated at the starting point, we need to opt for the street that continues right opposite the petrol station to the other side of the road. We start going up towards the chapel of Son Castelló and we then pay a short visit to the houses of Can Prohom. From there we go back to the old chapel and we go down a slope that after a minute leaves us on the road that connects Sóller to Deià. Located right opposite the houses of Can Bleda we cross the busy road and we go round the left-hand side of the houses to access a right-of-way which leads us to the path of Son sales. It is here where we start our descent again into the valley of Sóller. After leaving behind us the houses of Son Sales, which go almost unnoticed during the course of the path, we reach an area with orange tree orchards and after zigzagging we come across Can Binidorm, a narrow Street that starts up at the base of a hiking sign which, after a short slope, will take us to the Port de Sóller.
After the lavender path and opening the gate of the estate, in a few minutes we reach the Sóller square: Plaza Constitució. Once we are there, we can enjoy one of the best known images of Majorca and we pass between narrow alleys as far as the Sóller petrol station, the starting point for today's excursion. Crossing the road, an alley leaves us at Can Puig, the old factory reconverted into an exhibitions' hall and we continue along the "Camí des Rost", a horse trail which initially starts off with an asphalt track, crossing citrus orchards and landscapes specific to the microclimate afforded by the beautiful valley. The asphalt gives way to a small gravel path and after crossing a small stream that flows over a plain surrounded by vegetation, the gradient steepens sharply and as it gains height, the path attains its maximum splendour, affording magnificent paving which has remained intact with the passage of time. Over perfect steps, made up of intricate pebbles. The rustic path affords us an upward path where the vegetation growing at its own rate emits a pleasant perfume. Between forests of myrtles, carobs and one or other hawthorn, beautiful panoramic views are left behind over the valley and the distant noise produced by the hustle and bustle of the local people.
On the terraces, whilst the forest regains its territory, the olive grove areas grown in days gone by gradually become sparser.
.The wonderful paving disappears for now and after reaching a small peak, the path runs over a golden carpet of pine leaves. The image of the Peñal del Nigdia in the distance has disappeared though we can still discern the ever vigilant Torre Picada, an old defensive tower dating back to 1614, situated over the Port de Sóller and with smoke during the day and fires at night it was used to keep watch for any possible invasions by pirates.
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After an area of thousand-year old olive trees, the "cami des Rost" reaches its conclusion at a crossroads and between hundred--year old "Possessiones (large rural estates)", we resume our adventure, continuing along the camí de Son Castelló which runs as far as the village of Deià. Another pleasant horse trail on which time seems to stand still, running across spots where old walls and stone terraces can be observed, the remains of irrigation channels and what was, in its time, a complex hydraulic system for irrigating cereal crops.
In the distance and on a hill a symbolic Pino Piñonero, known as "Es Pi de L'enseïmada", tells us we will soon reach the summit of our route.
After the houses at Can Carabasseta, we come across an old oratory which is the chapel of Son Castelló, a construction dating back to the 17th century, a meeting point for the people who inhabited the various "possessiones" in the area. Although it is in a very poor state of repair it constitutes a clear example of popular devotion and religiousness that existed at these spots where people left aside their daily business to go to church. After a sober paving, almost immediately we can see the houses of Can Prohom and Son Mico. Back-to-back with each other, they are endowed with great symmetry of composition and architecture. It is worth stopping off at Son Mico which retains all the charm of days gone by. the terrace is the ideal place for savouring and discovering the taste of the Majorcan mountain: endowed with rich cakes and jams accompanied by a refreshing orange juice. In the meantime, below, at our feet, Can Bleda, will draw our attention, the place where we will resume our route. From here the camí de Son Sales starts a smooth descent which, with a paved path, winds along the mountainside. Flanking a stream and between adobe walls and olive groves, the path runs between terraces until reaching the orchard of the Sóller valley again. Between orange trees, and after zigzagging, the route continues via "can Binidorm" with a path that ascends sharply amongst a forest of pines. The proposed route ends with a small vantage point which, as if it was a balcony, delights us with a beautiful panoramic view over the valley. After an area with gardens and country houses, we flank an old gate surrounded by vegetation. Finally, a slope leaves us at another crossroads, then an asphalt road will take us to the promenade of the beach of Can Repic of Port de Sóller. |
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1st Hiking Route
around Sóller
The proposed route consists of going up to the chapel of Són Castello via the paths of Rost and Son Castelló which constitute one of the best prepared “dry stone walling” paths of Serra de Tramuntana. We will then take a short break in Son Mico, a former possesio (large rural estate) reconverted into a guest house. After a short descent via the path of Son Sales the route continues as far as the Port de Sóller
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Duration
2h 30" |
Difficulty Moderate |
Slope
241 m |
Alternative return |
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A pleasant walk which constitutes the ideal route for orienting our location during the first day’s visit to Sóller. What’s more, it affords a wide range of possibilities as it forms part of an extensive network of old path which used to join settlements with former large rural estates and cultivation sites. |
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