The good weather is here, and this has a direct effect on our desire to get outside and explore every corner of the wonderful island that is Mallorca. It’s a time when you start thinking about grabbing your rucksack and putting your hiking boots on. Here we’re going to give you a few ideas about where to take the kids in search of an adventure in Mallorca.
The Nature park Península de Llevant is the ideal place to walk with the family. Located in the northeast of the island, in the municipality of Artà, it’s somewhere that will delight the younger members of the family with the different walks, scenery, and local flora and fauna.
As you wander through the park, you’ll see wild plants with medicinal properties, holm oak woods, wild olive trees, pine forests, cliffs, sandy beaches, streams, agricultural ecosystems, hedgehogs, genets, or green toads, and not forgetting the Mediterranean tortoise, the Peregrine Falcon, the European Shag, or the Red Kite. And, the Ministry for the Environment has just increased the amount of protected areas by incorporating areas of sand dunes in Cala Agulla, Cala Torta, and Cala Mesquida, which are areas of great ecological value that protect an extremely delicate habitat. Public-owned land like Son Real is also included, as are other areas of the Red Natura 2000, such as the Muntanyes d’Artà, part of Na Borges and the Llevant Marine Reserve.
The Parc de Llevant offers a huge variety of itineraries to enjoy with the family, on this occasion, with the youngsters. A recommended route is the ‘Volta als Establits de s’Alqueria Vella’ where you can admire a beautiful panoramic view of S’Alqueria Vella valley, and of Alcudia Bay, as well as make a stop to visit the spectacular Betlem Chapel. Don’t forget your binoculars!
The Parc de Llevant information centre in s’Alqueria Vella de Baix, by the car park, is the starting point for the excursion. The itinerary starts at the signpost marked as GR222 (route number 10) and you can’t miss it. This walk has a difficulty rating of Medium, you can complete it with children over the age of about 7, and it takes just under two hours.
Other excursions with children in Mallorca
A shorter route, taking around 40 minutes there and back, is the Salt d’Es Freu. A beautiful spot, especially if there’s been rain recently, as the waterfalls will have plenty of water.
You could also walk the path that starts in Es Parc Bit, next to the Universidad de les Illes Balears, and leads you to Establiments. Taking an hour, you’ll find a surprise along the way: the famous Terracotta Warriors, along with chickens, sheep, donkeys, and even bulls.
Biniagual is a hamlet or ‘llogaret’ next to Binissalem, and you can do this walk easily. The excursion takes an hour and a half. You’ll walk along a tarmac road surrounded by rural scenery. When you get to Binissalem, you can explore the town, or you could opt to continue to Sencelles, where there is an archaeological route that will fascinate the whole family.
Returning to the coast, from Port d’Andratx to Sant Elm, you’ll be amazed by the views of Sa Dragonera island after a two-and-a-half-hour hike (one way). You can get the bus back to save your feet!