The GR 221 at a glance
The GR 221, called the Ruta de Pedra en Sec (Dry Stone Route) in Catalan, crosses the Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape since 2011. It follows old cobbled, charcoal burners’ and pilgrims’ paths restored by the Consell de Mallorca. The highest point is Coll de ses Cases de Neu at just over 1,200 m.
According to the official Consell de Mallorca page, the main trail between Port d’Andratx and Port de Pollença is 150 km long and divided into nine stages. There are also waymarked variants, for example via Galatzó or up to Castell d’Alaró. Some sections are still being planned and are not waymarked.
With our GR 221 planner you can split the stages into your hiking days, see the route on a map and find a refuge or hotel at every stop.
The stages
The figures come from the Consell’s stage pages. Walking times are guide values without breaks.
- Port d’Andratx - Sant Elm: 9.2 km, 372 m ascent, 3 h 20 min, easy
- Sant Elm - Estellencs: 24.7 km, 1,010 m ascent, 8 h 40 min, hard
- Estellencs - Esporles: 14.4 km, 670 m ascent, 4 h 50 min, moderate
- Esporles - Deià (Can Boi refuge): 23.1 km, 1,325 m ascent, 8 h 10 min, hard
- Deià - Port de Sóller (Muleta refuge): 9.9 km, 362 m ascent, 3 h 6 min, easy
- Port de Sóller - Tossals Verds: 27.8 km, 1,111 m ascent, 9 h 5 min, hard
- Tossals Verds - Lluc (Son Amer refuge): 15.1 km, 869 m ascent, 5 h 35 min, moderate
- Lluc - Pollença (Pont Romà refuge): 17.5 km, 189 m ascent, 4 h 45 min, moderate
- Pollença - Port de Pollença: 6.7 km, 2 m ascent, 1 h 25 min, easy
On stage 4, the stretch through the Son Cabaspre housing estate is passable but, according to the Consell, not waymarked. Stage 6 is the longest: between Sóller and Coll de l’Ofre you climb about 870 m through the Barranc de Biniaraix. The Consell notes that it is quicker in the opposite direction.
You do not have to walk the whole trail. Popular day hikes on the GR 221 are the Camí de Castelló from Deià to Port de Sóller, the Barranc de Biniaraix from Sóller to the Cúber reservoir and the old pilgrims’ path from Lluc to Pollença.
Refuges and accommodation
The Consell runs several refuges along the route: Can Boi in Deià, Muleta near Port de Sóller, Tossals Verds, Son Amer near Lluc and Pont Romà in Pollença. A dormitory bed costs EUR 14 per night, bed linen EUR 4.50, breakfast EUR 5.50 and dinner EUR 9.50 (as of October 2026). The Coma d’en Vidal refuge above Estellencs can only be booked as a whole and by phone.
In Sant Elm, Estellencs, Esporles, Sóller and Port de Pollença you stay in hotels or guesthouses. Tossals Verds and Son Amer are away from any town, so the refuge is the only place to stay there. In spring and autumn the refuges are often full weeks ahead, so book early.
Best season
The most pleasant months are February to May and October to November. From June to September the long stages without shade get dangerously hot. In winter there can be snow and ice at Coll de ses Cases de Neu and around Puig de Massanella.
Check the AEMET mountain forecast from Spain’s national weather service before each stage. If there is a severe weather warning, stay in the valley.
Safety and gear
- Water: There is often no spring for hours between villages. Carry at least two litres per person, more in summer.
- Navigation: The trail is waymarked in red and white, but not everywhere. Download an offline map to your phone.
- Footwear: Sturdy hiking boots with good grip. The old cobbled paths are slippery when wet.
- Closures: Shortly before you start, check the Consell page for closed sections.
- Emergencies: 112 works throughout Spain. Tell someone which stage you are walking.
Getting there and back
The GR 221 is a point-to-point trail: start and finish are about 70 km apart as the crow flies. From Palma airport you can reach Port d’Andratx by bus or transfer, and you return from Port de Pollença. Many stage towns, including Sóller, Deià, Valldemossa, Lluc and Pollença, are served by the TIB public bus network. A rental car is only worth it if you walk single stages from a fixed base.
When flights to Palma are cheap is covered in our guide to booking flights to Mallorca.