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Walkers are well served in Western Majorca, with the superb Sa Dragonera Island Nature reserve, plus the area around Calvia and the southern tip of the Serra de Tramuntana mountains. Around 40% of Mallorca's surface area is protected territory now, including the Nature Reserves of s'Albufera, sa Dragonera, and Mondrago as well as the maritime-terrestrial National Park of Cabrera sometimes known as 'Goat Island', which incidently has served as a prison camp during the Napoleonic War. There is also on the island of Mallorca the sublime Serra de Tramuntana - the mountain range that runs the length of the island from north to south, pulling down towards the sea and serving as idyllic backdrop to many a Majorcan town and village. Majorca has many delights to offer the nature enthusiast and prime walking territory you'll not be short of!
Sa Dragonera island in West Majorca off the coast of Sant Elm, in Andratx, is now a nature park, and offers visitors the opportunity to explore the southern end of the Serra de Tramuntana. Watch out for the colonies of seabirds who make their home on this beautiful island. This stunning nature backdrop in West Majorca adds that little bit extra to the many golf courses in the region. Golfers as well as walkers will love West Majorca. Choose from an array of golf courses in the Calvia, Andratx and Valledemossa regions.
For all your information on Golf courses in West Majorca check out the superb Golf Spain website (see link to the right). They have further details on all these courses listed here. Golf de Son Termens, Mallorca's newest golf course, opened on May 11th 1998. It is situated just 10 km from Palma, on the way to Valldemosa, between S'Esglaieta and the road to Soller. This golf course is rated as one of the most ecological in Mallorca, with par-71, superb greens, a clubhouse with locker rooms, a restaurant and a bar. Golfcarts, trollies and club rental are all available with a magnificent pro-shop on-site. Ctra. de S'Esglaieta, km 10, Bunyola, 7193 Mallorca. Tel. +34971617862
Calvia is one of the best regions on the island for golf, with a choice of courses, all with their own unique character. Try Golf De Andratx, an 18-hole course recognised for its originality, with several extremely raised tees which offer unbeatable views of the Mallorcan coastline. In terms of difficulty it is a very challenging course for more experienced players. With five blind shots and running over very uneven terrain, with large holes protected by lakes and with the typical flora and fauna of the region. Built between steep valleys and protected by mountains with the classic pinewoods and stark scenery of a Mediterranean archipelago.
Check out Club De Golf De Poniente in Calvia, a challenging course with superb panoramic views. The course has 18 holes, combining flat holes and others higher up among the pine trees, and has seven lakes and numerous bunkers. The fairways are in fine condition and the greens are very varied, giving the course shape and character. The 10th hole is considered the most technical of the course, with a lake on the right and two big bunkers on the left. The second shot is pretty complicated. Ctra. Cala Figuera, s/n, Calvia, 7181 Mallorca, Tel. +34971130148.
Golf De Andratx is an 18-hole course recognised for its originality, with several extremely raised tees which offer unbeatable views of the Mallorcan coastline. In terms of difficulty it is a very challenging course for more experienced players. With five blind shots and running over very uneven terrain, with large holes protected by lakes and with the typical flora and fauna of the region. There are three different tones of green of the grass on the course. The course is irrigated with recycled water and rainwater collected in tanks. The Andratx Club de Golf has its own desalination plant, which shows just how serious we are about protecting the environment. Carrer Cromlec nr.1, Camp de Mar, 07160 Mallorca. Tel +34971236280
The Club De Golf De Poniente course again is challenging, and has wonderful panoramic views, significant to many golf courses in West Majorca. The course has 18 holes, combining flat holes and others higher up among the pine trees, and has seven lakes and numerous bunkers. The fairways are in wonderful condition and the greens are very varied, giving the course shape and character. The 10th hole is considered the most technical of the course. Ctra. Cala Figuera, s/n, Calvia, 7181 Mallorca, Tel: +34971130148.
Santa Ponsa I and II are the same golf course, but with different rounds, because one of them is private. Santa Ponsa I is on flat ground and the biggest difficulty lies in the water hazards. It is not a particularly difficult course, because the greens are not very well protected and so are easy to get onto. It is a big course, with a smooth layout, and rather flat. It has large greens and is quite long. To date it is the most international course in Mallorca. Urb. Golf Sta. Ponça, Calviá, 7180 Mallorca, Tel: +34971690211.
Real Golf Bendinat course is situated 7 km to the west of Palma. This course has a beautiful setting in a wide valley full of trees, and offers spectacular Mediterranean views. The round has 18 holes and sensational views of the whole island. It is a rather narrow course over broken ground so accuracy is, urr, rather important. The greens are very long and you have to place the ball well as they were designed with a lot of slopes which, though gentle and hardly visible, certainly throw the ball off course. It is a difficult course and that is why a handicap of 36 or 28 is required. Urbanización Bendinat, C/ Campoamor, s/n, Calvia 7015 Mallorca. Tel: +34971405200.
The Natural Park of sa Dragonera includes not just the beautiful island of Sa Dragonera, but also the little islet of Pantaleu, the island Mitjana and els Calafats. All these are protected areas.
Overlooking Sa Dragonera Island sits the ruined monastery of La Trapa. It's reached via a 3 hour circular walk of about 9km/6 miles. This is one of Mallorca's most popular walks, hardly suprising considering the spectacular views across to Sa Dragonera when you get to the top. Trappist Monks, fleeing the Peninsular War settled here briefly in 1810 for about 14 years, before being moved on by the Spanish government. They built a monastery, stone terraces and a water system which rather transformed the surrounding slopes to an extremely fertile terrain. The monastery is a bit of a ruin today, but well worth a look. There's plenty more going on in this walk. Twitchers will rather like it and are likely to see Marmora warblers and Yelkouan shearwaters, species specific to the Balearic Islands. Might see a few peregrine falcons and booted eagles as well.
There are a few paths upto La Trapa. You can start it from the rough car park about 2 kilometres before Sant Elm on the road from Andratx. There's a much more civilised car park at the cemetery about 200 metres before, pass this and carry on to the rough one. Watch out for a sign marked Cami Sa Font dels Morers at the rough car park. There's a little map directing you up a wide track. It's an easy to follow well marked track and you're like to see a few others walking the route so little chance of getting lost. The path splits in two after about 10 mintues, marked by a sign reading 'Cami de Can Bolei', bear to the right taking a gentle winding path through the valley. Stunning rocky hills rise up on either side of this track.
Next about 15 minutes you'll hit a T-junction alongside some houses (you'll see this on the way back as well!), take the right hand path signed 'Cami Coll dels Cairals' which takes you around the back of the houses, and then upwards. Get read for about 45 minutes worth of quite a tiring climb. Next, 20 minutes on you'll see a sign saying 'Reserva Natural La Trapa - keep on round the chain there to stop vehicles entering, and upto the top you go for spectacular views.
Downwards now towards Sant Elm and then west running parallel with the coast. Watch out for the wind along this bit, and the mountain goats! You'll be able to see the ruins of La Trapa from this point. Descent down to the monastery, where there's been much work lately on restoration by the GOB Environmental Organisation. The GOB (Balearic Group of Ornithology and Defence of Nature) is a non governmental organisation and registered charity, legally founded in 1973. The objectives of GOB are the conservation, dissemination and study of nature and the environment of the Balearic Islands. Check out their web link to the right. There is a most interesting debate in Mallorca at present around the eco-tax, and efforts to retain the beauty of the Majorca, whilst maintaining the number of tourist visitors who are fundamental to Majorca's economy.
There's a restored mill house further down, and here you'll find further spectacular views across to Sa Dragonera and the rocky cove of Cala Basset. For the route back now, go back upto the monastery then take the path to the right marked Sant Elm. You'll then climb up over the headland and follow a rather rough path which is all marked by cairns and crimson paint - you're not likely to get lost!
This is a pretty rough scramble of about 45 minutes, when you'll then hit a T-junction. Continue to the right if you fancy a dip in the sea and get ready for some swimming when the day is calm! You'll move through two concrete posts, and after about 15 minutes walk you're at Cala Basset where some people do choose to take a dip off the rocks. The left fort continues to Sant Elm and the track will get gradually wider and easier - good news.
There's another T-junction after about 7 minutes marked Cami Punta de sa Galera - turning right then immediately left brings you out at Sant Elm, and lots of seafront bars and restaurants. Turning left takes you back to the fork by the houses you'll recognise from the beginning of the walk, and then back to the car park.
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