Recent charges to access to climbing sites and the proposed legislation, the Plan de Ordenacion de los Recursos Naturales (PORN), are threatening the freedom of climbing in Mallorca.
Mallorca has some excellent natural climbing terrain and some of the best Deep Water Soloing in Europe. The warm temperatures and natural features formed by the islands coast line and the Tramuntana mountain range have made Mallorca a popular destination for climbers but local councils have started to impose bans and fees for those wanting to climb in certain areas and the protection of the Tramuntana, which is a UNESCO site, has reduced the access to the areas that are best for climbing.
Manacor has prohibited “Jumping from cliffs into the sea” and thus made Deep Water Soloing illegal. In Bunyola forest guards have been employed to police the areas popular with climbers and charges for parking (€6) and access (€10/person) have been levied.
Most significantly is PORN. The legislation that protects the Tramuntana states that certain areas are “Exclusion Zones” where access is prohibited and although the legislation was written in 2007 it is now being enforced more strictly. Some of the areas outside the exclusion zones may soon require a paid permit to access.
All these new restrictions have climbers up in arms but they are not alone as hikers, runners and cyclists who have been using the amazing terrain in the Tramuntana for years are also effected by the charges and legislation.
We expect this to be an on going argument between the government and the climbers for a while.
