Walking and Cycling

The Sanctuary of Lluc is the perfect place from which to set out and explore the Tramuntana Mountains, either on foot or on a bicycle.

Close to the Sanctuary you will find some of the best know peaks on the island such as the Puig de Massanella, the Puig de Tomir, the Puig d’en Galileu and the Puig Roig, all of which will delight those who love heights.

There are also a number of caves and torrents (dry river beds) nearby including the well know Torrent de Parais and the Torrent de Mortitx.

Another enjoyable way to explore the surroundings is by following one of the old pilgrim trails that link Lluc with Inca and Pollensa.

Cometa des morts

It is believed that the name of Lluc comes from the Latin lucus meaning sacred wood, which gives us an insight into the beliefs of the first inhabitants of the area: this excursion shows us some of the archaeological remains they left behind: Duration: less than one hour.

We head towards the football field and cross the wooden bridge from which we can see the Puig de les Monges, (a group of rocks which have been eroded by water and are called lapiaz). We climb past rocks and holm oaks until we come across the remains of a charcoal burners’ oven and a sign post pointing us toward “El Camell”.

After following the path for a few minutes it will soon become clear why this particular rock is popularly know as “the camel” or “the dromedary”.

We head back to the main path and continue until we come to the remains of another charcoal oven. About 5 minutes further on there is a fork in the road. We follow the right hand path which leads us to the cave of the Cometa des Morts, the site of Bronze and Iron Age burials. The site was excavated by Fr Cristòfol Veny and artefacts from here can be seen in the Museum of Lluc.

Pilgrims’ Trail

The three most important roads leading to Lluc are the one from Soller, the one from Pollensa and the most famous of all: the Pilgrim’s Trail. This is a route which is paved with history, (Bishops and judges ordered the collection of alms for its conservation and a threat of excommunication hung over anyone who threw away a stone); with devotion (Bishop Jaume was carried up the route in a sedan chair on his way to crown the image of the Virgin in 1884, and many have walked the route barefoot or performing acts of penitence along the way); and with miracles (some legendary and some proven, evidence of divine protection). At the end of the 14th century seven stone crosses presenting the seven Joys of the Virgin Mary were erected along the trail.

Nowadays the route begins in Caimari. You will pass the Puig d’en Escuder with its legends of Moors and bandits followed by El Cavall Bernat, a high, craggy peak. The Costa Larga (the Long Slope) that avoids many of the twists and turns in the road, takes you to the top of Es Barracar where a shelter with a water supply was built for pilgrims in the 14th century.

“Sa Llangonissa” takes you to the Grau Major, the most dangerous part of the walk, and the backdrop to the legend of the Salt de la Bella Dona (The Jump of the Good Woman) although the new road, tunnelled through the living rock of the mountain side, was designed so that this could be avoided. Following the new road you will arrive at Es Guix and begin to head downhill from the Coll de sa Batalla. You’ll soon be able to drink cool spring water at the Font Coberta. Duration: around 2 hours.

Other excursions

These are just a few of the numerous excursions that have there starting point at Lluc. In addition to those described above we would also recommend the Puig Roig circuit, the old road from Lluc to Pollensa, the Dry Stone Route, and many more. For further information on the Dry Stone Route, consult the website of the Consell de Mallorca. Wikiloc also has hundreds of excursions for cyclists and walkers.