A short but rewarding hike near Andratx, Mallorca, with cliff views, quiet trails, and zero tourist buses. Under two hours. Big views. No nonsense.

You don’t need to scale a mountain or dedicate a whole day to get jaw-dropping views in Mallorca. This hike via Coll de sa Palomera to Puig d’en Farineta takes less than two hours, starts just outside of S’Arracó, near Andratx, and still delivers sweeping cliffside views of Dragonera Island, Sant Elm, and the sea-drenched edges of the southwest coast. 

It’s short, it’s sweet, and unless you’re violently allergic to walking uphill, you can do it. Sure, there are a few steep sections. Your thighs might whisper a complaint or two. But most of the trail winds gently through pine forest, and before you know it, you’re standing at a quiet summit wondering why more people don’t bother. Maybe it’s better that way.

Welcome to your next adventure!

Best Short Hike near Andratx — Puig d’en Farineta Hike Details

• Type: Loop
• Location: Near Andratx, Southwest Mallorca, Spain
• Start Point: At the parking lot of s’Arracó Cementery (accessible via Ma-1030)
• End Point: Loop (returns to starting point)
• Distance: ~3.5 km
• Duration: ~1.5 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate (short but steep in places)
• Elevation Gain: ~250 meters
• Terrain: Rocky trails, pine forest, some loose gravel
• Trail Name: Coll de sa Palomera – Puig d’en Farineta
• Highlights:
  • Cliff-edge views over the coast
  • Peaceful pine woods
  • No crowds (seriously)
  • Viewpoint at Puig d’en Farineta (~400m elevation)
• Best Time to Go: Early morning or late afternoon (avoid the midday sun)
• Kid-Friendly?: Older kids, yes. Not stroller-friendly.
• Dog-Friendly?: Yes, if they’re used to rocky terrain (no water on trail)
• Shade: Partial
• Facilities: None – bring water/snacks

Coll de sa Palomera – Puig d’en Farineta Hiking Trail Map

You can also find the trail map for offline use on Alltrails.

Trail Description

A Gentle Start Through the Countryside

The first part of the trail is easy to follow — a gentle uphill stretch through a quiet countryside neighborhood just above S’Arracó. You’ll pass a few homes, stone walls, and olive trees, and it all feels very Mallorcan in the “I could live here” kind of way. There’s a peacefulness to it, like the world’s moving just a little slower on this side of the island.

Into the Bush: Trust Your Gut (or Your Map)

Eventually, the trail nudges you off the paved road and into the bush. And this is where things get… let’s say more intuitive. There are no clear signs from here on out, so you’ll need to keep an eye on your GPS map — or trust your gut. You might get lucky and spot a few cairns (those little stacks of rocks), which are the unofficial waymarkers on many of Mallorca’s lesser-known trails. I found a few, but they’re not exactly consistent.

The Climb to Farineta

As you start climbing toward the Puig d’en Farineta summit, the trail fades even more. Honestly, I just followed what looked like “a way,” scrambled over a few rocks, and hoped the goats knew where they were going. (I passed a small group on the way up — heard them before I saw them. They have a kind of nasal bark, like someone yelling into a tin can.)

Summit Views and a Mystery Stone Shelter

At the top, you’re rewarded with cliffside views over Sant Elm and Dragonera, and the satisfying silence you only get in places most people don’t bother finding. There’s a more than one old stone shelter structure up there too — possibly a viewpoint and an old hunting hut. I wondered if it might be one of the Archduke’s famous viewpoints, but nope.

The Descent: Loose Gravel and Pine Trees

The way down is easier to follow, though some sections are covered in loose gravel and shifting rock — not technical, just slippery if you’re not paying attention. This is where you’ll be glad you wore decent shoes instead of those half-dead sneakers from the bottom of your backpack.

Safety Tips

This isn’t Everest, but it’s also not a city stroll. Keep these tips in mind to avoid turning a chill hike into a rescue mission.

Wear Proper Shoes

Seriously. The descent has loose gravel, and there are a few rocky scrambles where grip matters. Trail shoes or hiking boots are ideal. Flip-flops? No.

Download the Route

There’s little to no signage, and parts of the trail disappear into undergrowth. Download the route on AllTrails, Komoot, or Maps.me, or bring a GPS watch. Don’t just assume it’ll be obvious — it won’t be.

Bring Water

There are no water refills along the way. One liter is usually enough for this short hike, but bring more if it’s hot.

Avoid Midday Heat

There’s minimal shade on the final climb. In summer, it can feel like hiking through a toaster. Early morning or late afternoon is your best bet.

Watch Your Step (and Listen for Goats)

Mountain goats love this area, and while they’re usually shy, they can pop out of nowhere. Also, goat paths and human paths often overlap — don’t follow a trail just because a hoofprint went that way.

Getting There

By Car

The trail starts just above the cemetery in S’Arracó, a quiet village tucked into the hills a short drive from Andratx in southwest Mallorca. If you’re driving, punch “Cementeri de S’Arracó” into Google Maps. There’s a small, free parking lot right outside the cemetery gate — no stress, no fees, and usually space available.

From the parking area, follow the paved road that climbs past the cemetery, and take a look at your map to make sure you’re heading in the right direction.

By Bus

If you’re coming from Palma without a car, public transport will get you there with a little patience. First, take bus 101 from Palma’s main station (Estació Intermodal) toward Port d’Andratx, and get off at the Torrent stop in Andratx. From there, transfer to bus 121 toward Sant Elm — it stops right in front of the S’Arracó cemetery, so you’re dropped off exactly where the trail begins.

It’s not the fastest journey (around 1.5–2 hours depending on connections), but it’s scenic and easy enough if you’re not in a rush. Just double-check bus times on TIB’s website before you go — service is regular but not constant, especially on weekends.

My Experience

A Surprisingly Good Hike

I had little to no expectations heading into this hike. It was a bit of a spur-of-the-moment decision — a late Saturday afternoon, my best friend was visiting Mallorca, and my boyfriend had just gotten off work. We figured, why not squeeze in something easy before dinner?

Now, when I hike, I usually go for the big and bold stuff — the kind where AllTrails reviews warn you that “mountaineering experience is required” (spoiler: it never is). So I assumed this would be a gentle stroll in the countryside. Spoiler #2: It was not. But it was awesome.

It quickly became my favorite short hike near Andratx.

Solo Mode Activated

The first part of the trail lulls you into a relaxed, countryside daze — walking past quiet homes with lush gardens, citrus trees, and that slow-living, homey vibe that makes you want to quit your job and move here. It feels like you’re walking through someone’s dream life.

Then the trail skirts around the edge of a fenced property — and this is where it gets wild.

The path becomes a bit vague from here on out. I had to check my offline map (I use Maps.me) every now and then to keep us on course. But when the climb toward Puig d’en Farineta began, I slipped into solo mode — partly because the trail demanded focus, partly because I have zero patience when I hike (sorry, bestie).

That meditative hiking rhythm took over — the kind where your brain finally shuts up, and it’s just you, the mountain, and the next step. Honestly, that’s why I hike. That pure, peaceful, body-spirit-nature alignment you don’t get from screens or spreadsheets.

An Upgrade to La Trapa

At the summit, we scrambled over a few boulders to reach the main viewpoint — a stone structure of unknown origin (some say an old shelter, some say goat Airbnb). The view? Absolutely next level. Dragonera Island was laid out right in front of us, basking in golden evening light. It felt like an upgraded version of the La Trapa hike — same coastline, better energy. Less effort, higher reward.

We lingered at the top as the sun dipped low, casting that soft, burnt-orange glow over the cliffs. Took photos, soaked it all in, didn’t say much. Those are the good moments.

Mountain Goat Energy

The descent felt easy to me — but maybe that’s just my inner mountain goat kicking in. My best friend? Not so much. She fell on her butt twice. Thankfully, my boyfriend is more patient than I am and guided her down at a reasonable pace while I bounced downhill like a goat on espresso.

The final stretch of trail winds through a peaceful pine forest — the kind of air that makes you forget what your phone sounds like. It’s quiet, clean, and calm. And by the end, none of us were ready to be back in the “real world.”

All in all, a semi-easy, short and sweet hike that delivers way more than it promises. If you’re anywhere near Andratx or Sant Elm — don’t skip this one.