Serra de Tramuntana: 10th anniversary as World Heritage Site

The Serra de Tramuntana, which owes its name to the Tramuntana wind, stretches across the northwest of Mallorca, covering an area of 30,700ha and 87km in length. Its highest peak is Puig Major (1,445m high), the highest on the island and in the Balearic Islands. It also has other large peaks such as Penyal des Migdia (1,398m), Puig de Masanella (1,365m), Puig Tomir (1103m) and L'Ofre (1,093m).
Another special feature of the Serra de Tramuntana is its reservoirs, located on the slopes of Puig Major: Cúber and Gorg Blau, surrounded by pure nature and part of Mallorca's emblematic landscape. Their beauty and easy access make them an ideal destination for circular excursions  that the whole family can enjoy.

The Serra de Tramuntana was declared a cultural landscape and World Heritage Site by Unesco in 2011, ten years ago, for its "exceptional and universal value, characteristics that are found nowhere else". Several of the reasons offered by Unesco for its unanimous declaration as a World Heritage Site were not only its unique ecosystem and unspoilt landscapes, but also its culture and history.

"The Cultural Landscape of the Sierra de Tramontana (Spain), is situated on the steep slopes of a mountain range parallel to the northwest coast of the island of Mallorca. Millennia-old agriculture in an environment with scarce water resources has transformed the terrain and shows an articulated network of water management mechanisms between the different plots of land that is feudal in origin. The landscape is made up of terraced cultivation and interconnected water distribution mechanisms including watermills, as well as stone constructions without mortar and farmsteads," declared Unesco.

In addition to its landscapes and the coexistence of the sea and the mountains, the Serra is characterised by its beautiful villages and its human character: Valldemossa, Fornalutx, Deia, are just some of the most charming places to visit. And in the heart of the Serra de Tramuntana is its regional capital, the bucolic village of Sóller, which offers one of the most romantic views of the island with its sunsets from the Port, its tram that crosses the cobbled streets and its historic train that connects the village with the city of Palma.

Sóller is also the starting point for numerous hiking routes and excursions. Among them, the following stand out:

• Sa Costera, a medium-difficulty route lasting 3:45 hours. It runs along the seafront from the Ses Barques viewpoint to Cala Tuent and offers spectacular views of the Mediterranean, as well as the native flora and vegetation of the Serra de Tramuntana.
• Port de Soller-Muleta Gran, a 2-hour route of easy difficulty. It starts in Port de Soller, just after getting off the tram, and passes through the Torrent Major, the d'En Repic beach and on to Muleta Gran. One of the attractions of this route is the visit to the Cap Gros lighthouse.
• Biniaraix ravine and Cúber reservoir. With a duration of 4 hours and medium difficulty, this is one of the most attractive hiking routes in the Soller Valley and the Serra de Tramuntana. Its cobbled paths and climbs up the cliffs offer panoramic views of the Serra and a first-hand experience of the emblematic landscape, a symbiosis between nature and man, which Unesco declared a cultural landscape.
   

The ecosystem and natural landscape of Sóller offers a variety of itineraries that are highly appreciated by hikers, precisely because of its combination of mountain, sea and coast. Its cliffs and deep gorges, lush forests, wide valleys and vineyards, as well as its hidden coves and artificial reservoirs make the Serra de Tramuntana and its regional capital, Sóller, a perfect destination for hiking and walking enthusiasts to venture along its paths and for any traveller to discover the charms of the Tramuntana and the most authentic Mallorca.