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Olivares & the Tramuntana Mountain Range

featured in Activity reviews Author Shirley Roberts, Mallorca & Soller Correspondent Updated

Many visitors to our part of the world come here for the walking, as the valley is surrounded on all sides by the rugged terrain of the Tramuntana mountains. The mountains are divided up into estates, 'olivares' and wild countryside and on any walk in the Tramuntana will find examples of all three.

In Soller, Route 221 (the Dry Stone Route, currently running from Deia to Pollenca) is signposted all over the valley; and it links up all our beautiful walks running between the valley and the mountains, ensuring walkers know where they are going. Serious walking groups arrive from mid-January onwards with their stout walking boots and all their gear; we usually catch sight of them marching off into the distance whilst out with our dog, as the trails from the mountains to the sea can provide a more leisurely outing too!

Luckily, we have been able to explore our local trails at our own pace as we live here but if you are here for only a short while there is an easier way – by getting yourself a local guide. Some of the best reputed locals who know these mountains inside-out and who can lead you on wonderful walks are Mich & Andy at Tramuntana Tours (Tel:  +34 971 632423).  They have shops in the Lluna in Soller and on the seafront in the Port of Soller and offer a full range of activities, from mountain biking to kayaking - their website reads like an adventure story. And of course they offer a range of accompanied walks to suit all levels of fitness, - the testimonials speak for themselves. Tramuntana Tours provides guides for tourists, holidaymakers and for residents – anyone who would like to walk with a group really. A couple of my recommendations include the ‘Discover The Arch Dukes’ walk from Valldemossa, and the walks through the gorge at Sa Colobra; but there are just some amongst the many on offer.

Of course, out on the trails you can’t help but admire this beautiful landscape and many visitors would love to own a property here amongst the olive and orange groves. I often pass crowds gathered around estate agents windows in Soller, looking at the prices of the homes on offer. So a word of warning when you come across the word ‘Olivare’, which often falls into the price-range many of us can actually afford.

Olivares are advertised as being full of olive groves and rugged land, with or without car access –which sounds like a very romantic proposal indeed. In many cases there may also be an ambling old shack on the land too, although they are often to be found without electricity or water. So the erstwhile property speculator might imagine that he can buy this land for a song and then build his dream Soller home and live in peace in the mountains. If only it were that easy… an olivare, of which you will see many out walking, is actually more of an allotment up in the mountains. 

Local people living in apartments in town escape to their olivare as often as they can to tend their oranges and olives. They clear enough land to have barbeques and family gatherings, and build little ‘casitas’ as an overnight home up the craggy mountainside. There are strict regulations that control what can be built on this space, and many an outsider has fallen foul of the planning regulations and has had to pull down his dream home. So buyer beware, as they say ‘if it looks too good to be true…’!

And don’t forget coming up later this month… Dancing takes the place of walking during the week 19th – 24th July 2010. This is the 30th year that the Sa Mostra International Folk Festival is being held in Soller. Dance groups come from all over the world to this festival and this year promises to be spectacular. On the first night (19th July), the groups have a huge parade into the Soller town square, all wearing their colourful costumes. They give a dance demonstration which sets the scene for the rest of the week. Over the next few days they give performances in Soller, the Port, in Fornalutx and in other towns of Mallorca. The week comes to an end with another huge parade and more dancing in Soller Square on Saturday 24th July. Throughout the week you will never be far from an exuberant talented dancing group ready to make your toes tap.

Walking, dancing, swimming, sunbathing or just sitting quietly in the shade - it’s all here in the Hidden Valley this month!

Location

Map of the surrounding area