Excursions in LLuc
Discover the most outstanding hiking and walking routes
The Santuari de Lluc is, in addition to the pilgrimage center and the most important religious and spiritual enclave in Mallorca, is also a place closely related to nature and highly frequented by hikers. Several stages of the Ruta de Pedra en Sec or the complex route that crosses the Torrent de Pareis canyon and ends at the picturesque cove of Sa Calobra begin at this point.
Connect with nature and feel all the energy of the Serra de Tramuntana as you pass through unique and emblematic places:
Cometa des Morts
Discover the sacred forest
It is believed that the name of Lluc comes from the Latin lucus meaning sacred wood, which gives us an insight into the beliefs of the first inhabitants of the area: this excursion shows us some of the archaeological remains they left behind: Duration: less than one hour.
We head towards the football field and cross the wooden bridge from which we can see the Puig de les Monges, (a group of rocks which have been eroded by water and are called lapiaz). We climb past rocks and holm oaks until we come across the remains of a charcoal burners’ oven and a sign post pointing us toward “El Camell”. After following the path for a few minutes it will soon become clear why this particular rock is popularly know as “the camel” or “the dromedary”.
We head back to the main path and continue until we come to the remains of another charcoal oven. About 5 minutes further on there is a fork in the road. We follow the right hand path which leads us to the cave of the Cometa des Morts, the site of Bronze and Iron Age burials. The site was excavated by Fr Cristòfol Veny and artefacts from here can be seen in the Museum of Lluc.
Pilgrim's trail
Explore the Serra de Tramuntana
The three most important roads leading to Lluc are the one from Soller, the one from Pollensa and the most famous of all: the Pilgrim’s Trail. This is a route which is paved with history, (Bishops and judges ordered the collection of alms for its conservation and a threat of excommunication hung over anyone who threw away a stone); with devotion (Bishop Jaume was carried up the route in a sedan chair on his way to crown the image of the Virgin in 1884, and many have walked the route barefoot or performing acts of penitence along the way); and with miracles (some legendary and some proven, evidence of divine protection). At the end of the 14th century seven stone crosses presenting the seven Joys of the Virgin Mary were erected along the trail.
Nowadays the route begins in Caimari. You will pass the Puig d’en Escuder with its legends of Moors and bandits followed by El Cavall Bernat, a high, craggy peak. The Costa Larga (the Long Slope) that avoids many of the twists and turns in the road, takes you to the top of Es Barracar where a shelter with a water supply was built for pilgrims in the 14th century.
“Sa Llangonissa” takes you to the Grau Major, the most dangerous part of the walk, and the backdrop to the legend of the Salt de la Bella Dona (The Jump of the Good Woman) although the new road, tunnelled through the living rock of the mountain side, was designed so that this could be avoided. Following the new road you will arrive at Es Guix and begin to head downhill from the Coll de sa Batalla. You’ll soon be able to drink cool spring water at the Font Coberta. Duration: around 2 hours.
Hill of the Rosarys
Walk the Hill of the Rosarys route
From the Plaza del Lledoner, behind the La Fonda Restaurant, a stone path leads up to the spot where, according to tradition, the Holy Figure of the Virgin of Lluc was discovered. As you follow the path you will pass the small cemetery (an oasis of peace in the shade of the holm oak trees) and the five stone monuments with three bronze reliefs that represent the mysteries of the Rosary
(joy, pain and glory, like life itself!). These are true works of art by the architects Joan Rubió and Guillem Reynés and the sculptor Josep Llimona, overseen by Antoni Gaudi himself.
At the summit, crowned by the sign of the cross, you can rest for a while and enjoy the magnificent view of the valleys of Lluc and Aubarca, the rooftops of the Sanctuary, and the mountains, that in the winter are often covered with snow.
The visit takes between 20 and 30 minutes, and is well worth it. You will no doubt meet tourists who are following the path through curiosity, but may well come across a pilgrim, stopping to pray as they make the ascent.
Other excursions
These are just a few of the numerous excursions that have there starting point at Lluc. In addition to those described above we would also recommend the Puig Roig circuit, the old road from Lluc to Pollensa, the Dry Stone Route, and many more. For further information on the Dry Stone Route, consult the website of the Consell de Mallorca. Wikiloc also has hundreds of excursions for cyclists and walkers.
