© hotel-laresidencia.com
© hotel-laresidencia.com
© hotel-laresidencia.com
Belmond La Residencia Opens a Private Nature Trail
Learn about the landscape at one of Mallorca's premier hotels
Belmond La Residencia in Deia is renowned for providing it's guests with the ideal space for rest & relaxation. One of its many delights consists of the extensive gardens and land attached to the property. But what many guests do not realise is that the entire hillside rising up behind the hotel also forms part of the property’s cultural and scenic heritage.
The mountains of the Tramuntana recently became a UNESCO heritage site, and the grounds of Belmond La Residencia lie within this protected area. The estate offers a beautiful backdrop and also a home to the hotel’s sheep and goats. New addtions this year to the animal fold are three wonderful donkeys. These endearing beasts of burden will surely become best friends to many future visitors!
So that visitors to Mallorca can share in this natural beauty & history of the area, Belmond La Residencia has opened up a nature trail in it's grounds. Both residents & non-residents can book a guided trek up this trail and learn about the fauna & flora of the area. After the trek, visitors can enjoy a picnic and fantastic views down to the sea.
The nature trail leads up through the private estate, passing through pinewoods and mountain olive groves. The guided trek is accompanied by donkeys who carry the picnic fare in their panniers. As you climb the winding path that leads up to a stone shepherd’s hut, originally a mountain refuge, you can admire the breathtakingly beautiful mountain and sea views.
Once at the refuge, a Mallorcan lunch is served in true farming style, including local bread, olive oil, tomatoes, cheese and the island’s famous sausages and cold meats. This is a fantastic way to experience the real Mallorca, and understand how this beautiful, protected natural area was farmed in the past. Everyone can enjoy this activity which is available every Thursday for €65 per person. This price includes the guided trail and the picnic - booking in advance is essential, please use the links at the top of this page to contact the hotel.
The nature trail also doubles up as a trekking or jogging trail for the hotels residents.
Aware of environmental issues and eager to participate in upholding this area of scenic beauty, the hotel is also undergoing a clearing project to remove the invasive pine trees whose rapid growth soon destroys the neighbouring olive trees when left unattended. Wood from the felled trees is cut into logs and, once dry, used as fuel for the log fires inside the hotel.
The ancient olive groves will then be restored to their former productive state, thus increasing Belmond La Residencia’s olive harvest. Since the project commenced the property has been awarded denomination of origin (mark of quality) for the precious golden liquid.
