The Serra de Tramuntana: A Guide to Mallorca’s UNESCO Mountains
Tramuntana mountains, terrace agriculture in Mallorca
The Serra de Tramuntana is the mountain range that runs for about 90 km along the north-west coast of Mallorca, from Andratx to Cap de Formentor. Its highest peak, Puig Major, rises to 1,436 m, the highest point in the Balearic Islands. In 2011 UNESCO inscribed it as a World Heritage Site, the “Cultural Landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana”, for its centuries-old terraces, dry-stone walls and water systems. Its villages include Deia, Sóller and Fornalutx, where you will find the four Grøenk restaurants.
Steep limestone peaks, olive terraces that drop to the sea, stone villages and quiet mountain paths: the Tramuntana is the wild, green side of Mallorca. It is where we chose to live, and where we cook every day.
The Tramuntana at a glance
Length: about 90 km, south-west to north-east
Highest peaks: Puig Major (1,436 m), Penyal de Migdia (1,398 m), Puig de Massanella (1,364 m)
UNESCO World Heritage Site: since 2011, as a cultural landscape
Best-known villages: Valldemossa, Deia, Sóller, Fornalutx, Banyalbufar, Pollença
Famous for: dry-stone terraces, olive groves, hiking (GR221), mountain roads, sea views
Where does the name Tramuntana come from?
Tramuntana is the Catalan name for the cold north wind, from the Latin transmontanus, “from beyond the mountains”. The range takes its name from this wind because it forms Mallorca’s northern wall and shelters the rest of the island from it.
Why is the Serra de Tramuntana a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
The Tramuntana was not listed for its natural beauty alone, but as a cultural landscape: a place where people and nature have shaped each other for a thousand years.
Islamic irrigation. During the Moorish period (902–1229), settlers built channels, water galleries and cisterns. Many of them still bring water to the terraced fields.
Terraces and dry-stone walls. After the Catalan conquest of 1229, farmers carved the steep hillsides into terraces (marjades), held up by walls built without mortar. They grew olives, citrus fruit, almonds and vegetables on them. The terraces stop soil erosion on the slopes and keep scarce water in the ground. They are the reason the mountains are so green today. The art of dry-stone walling (pedra en sec) is also on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, inscribed in 2018 together with several other European countries.
Estates and villages. Large farm estates (possessions) and small stone villages grew around this system of terraces and water. Together they make the landscape UNESCO describes as an outstanding example of the Mediterranean agricultural landscape.
“Every terrace in the Tramuntana was built by hand, stone by stone. That patience is something we try to bring to our kitchens too.”
Fascinating facts about the Tramuntana
The Archduke who fell in love with Mallorca. Archduke Ludwig Salvator of Austria came to Mallorca in 1867 and bought estates along the coast between Valldemossa and Deia, including Miramar and Son Marroig. He built the mountain path still known as the Archduke’s Path (Camí de s’Arxiduc). Our restaurant in Deia is on the street named after him.
The roof of the Balearics. The summit of Puig Major is a military area and closed to the public. The mountain dominates the road between Sóller and Lluc, with the Cúber and Gorg Blau reservoirs at its feet.
A road and a gorge. The road down to Sa Calobra is one of the most spectacular in Spain, and a favourite of cyclists. At the bottom, the Torrent de Pareis gorge opens to the sea.
Mallorca’s spiritual heart. The Monastery of Lluc, high in the mountains, is the island’s most important pilgrimage site.
Rare wildlife. The Tramuntana is home to the black vulture, Eleonora’s falcon and the Majorcan midwife toad, which lives only on Mallorca.
The wettest part of the island. Some areas receive more than 1,500 mm of rain a year, against under 400 mm in parts of the south. In winter there is occasional snow on the peaks.
Hiking in the Serra de Tramuntana
The best way to discover the Tramuntana is on foot. The GR221, the Dry Stone Route (Ruta de Pedra en Sec), crosses the range from Port d’Andratx to Pollença in about 130–150 km. It is usually walked in 7–10 stages. Shorter walks start from our villages:
Sóller–Biniaraix–Fornalutx: an easy walk through orange groves and the stone-stepped Biniaraix gorge
Deia–Sóller coastal path: about 10 km and roughly 3.5 hours, via Llucalcari
Valldemossa–Deia: a mountain stage of the GR221 that includes part of the Archduke’s Path
When is the best time to visit the Tramuntana?
Spring (March–May): green hillsides, wildflowers and ideal hiking weather.
Summer (June–September): warm days, swimming in the coves, and long evenings on the terraces.
Autumn (October–November): mild temperatures, quieter paths and golden light. One of the best seasons for walking.
Winter (December–February): peaceful villages, oranges ripening in the Sóller Valley and almond blossom in late winter.
All Grøenk restaurants are open all year, so a good meal is always waiting at the end of your walk.
The Tramuntana mountain range stretches from the western part of the island all the way to its north-western tip.
Where to eat in the Serra de Tramuntana: three villages, four Grøenk restaurants
Grøenk Bistro & Grill Deia - Mediterranean cuisine from the charcoal grill oven, with Galician beef, Iberian pork and fresh seafood, plus a private event hall for up to 24 guests.Carrer Arxiduc Luís Salvador, 11, 07179 Deià · +34 672 16 62 43 · Book a table · Google Maps
Grøenk Pizza & Pasta Sóller - Neapolitan pizza made with 30-hour slow-fermented dough, fresh handmade pasta and gnocchi, and a garden terrace. Eat in, take away or home delivery in Sóller.Carreró d’En Figa, 23, 07100 Sóller · +34 663 24 51 10 · Book or order · Google Maps
Grøenk Bistro & Grill Fornalutx - Our first restaurant in Mallorca, with Mediterranean food from the charcoal grill and views of the mountains. Carrer Arbona-Colom, 1, 07109 Fornalutx · +34 672 18 02 07 · Book a table · Google Maps
Grøenk Urban Kitchen Fornalutx - A vegetarian-friendly restaurant with seasonal vegetable dishes and fresh homemade pasta made daily. Carrer Arbona-Colom, 3, 07109 Fornalutx· Open from April to October.
How far apart are our restaurants?
Route | By car | On foot |
Sóller – Fornalutx | ~4 km, approx. 10 min | approx. 1 hour, via Biniaraix |
Sóller – Deia | ~11 km, approx. 20 min | ~10 km coastal path, approx. 3.5 hours |
Deia – Fornalutx | ~15 km, approx. 25 min | – |
Road in the Serra de Tramuntana
Frequently asked questions about the Serra de Tramuntana
What is the Serra de Tramuntana? It is the mountain range on the north-west coast of Mallorca, about 90 km long, with Puig Major (1,436 m) as its highest peak. Since 2011 it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural landscape of terraces, dry-stone walls and water systems.
Which are the most beautiful villages in the Tramuntana? Among the best known are Valldemossa, Deia, Sóller, Fornalutx and Banyalbufar. Fornalutx is a member of the association Los Pueblos Más Bonitos de España.
Can you hike the Tramuntana in winter? Yes. Autumn, winter and spring are the best seasons for hiking, with mild temperatures and quiet paths. The summer heat makes long walks harder.
Where can I eat in the Serra de Tramuntana? Grøenk has four restaurants in three Tramuntana villages: Bistro & Grill in Deia and Fornalutx, Pizza & Pasta in Sóller, and Urban Kitchen in Fornalutx. Apart from the Urban Kitchen, all are open all year.
