Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
The hike to the La Trapa Ruins and Mirador d’en Josep Sastre on the Northwest coast of Mallorca is spectacular and one of the our favorite hikes on the Island. The entire route offers sweeping views of the coastline and you will have views down to the water and for almost the entire route including down to Sa Dragonera Island.
Dave and I did this hike during our visit to the island in 2023 and started from Coll de Sa Gramola. From this parking lot the trail is hiked as a moderate out and back along GR 221.
You can also do this hike from Sant Elm. This route is shorter although steeper and can be done as a loop (although parts of the loop are less interesting and some parts follow the road).
Below you will see an overview of the hike to La Trapa Mallorca and Mirador d’en Josep Sastre from Coll de Sa Gramola as well as general information about parking, safety and hiking on Mallorca. For a step by step description of hiking La Trapa Mallorca and Mirador d’en Josep Sastre scroll down to the bottom of this post.
Looking for more on Visiting Mallorca? Check out our Mallorca Adventure Itinerary.
We did not see this exact route listed on All Trails, but you can use the map of this post to help navigate. There is an All Trails post for hiking this trail from Sant Elm. In addition, this trail has been recently redone and there are lots of sign posts and several maps along the way making it easy to navigate.
Overview of the La Trapa Mallorca and Mirador d’en Josep Sastre Hike
Distance: 9 miles Elevation Gain: 1500 feet Difficulty: Moderate Hiking Time: 4 hours Special Considerations: a large part of this trail goes through a “Caça major” big-game hunting area of wild goats. Please stay on the trail. There are also several cliff areas so use caution on the hike.
The trail starts at a medium sized parking lot at Coll de Sa Gramola. The first half of this trail are on a wide and mostly flat path with beautiful view down towards Palma. At a well marked intersection you will make two small turns (there are new signposts and a map here to make it easy to navigate).
From here the trail becomes narrower and rockier and follows along the coastline. This stretch to La Trapa is amazing with views both to the east and eventually to the west. The trail is also mostly flat although much slower going. After reaching a large cairn, walk the short distance to the Joseph Sastra viewpoint. You will have views of Sa Dragonera Island.
From here the trail descends to the La Trapa Ruins. This isn’t particularly challengings but is the hardest part of this hike. The final walk to the ruins is down a wide path and is steep but short.
Founded by Trappist Monks in the 19th century, La Trapa originally served as a monastery after the monks sought refuge in Mallorca, escaping France. The site, which had been cultivated for centuries before their arrival, now stands in ruins; however, it remains a popular destination, drawing thousands of visitors annually who are captivated by its breathtaking cliffside vista overlooking Sa Dragonera.
After enjoying the views from La Trapa, turn around and retrace your steps to Coll de Sa Gramola.
La Trapa Ruins from Coll de Sa Gramola Map
This trail is now well marked and easy to follow.
Things to Know about Hiking La Trapa Mallorca and Mirador d’en Josep Sastre
Parking at Coll de Sa Gramola
In order to get to Coll de Sa Gramola you will either need to hike or more likely take a car. You can easily rent a car on Mallorca and if you plan to hike, we recommend renting a car.
The parking lot is right at Coll de San Gramola which is a mountain saddle on Ma-10 between Andrax and Estellences. There are two parking lots here with free parking.
What to Pack for Hiking Mallorca
Depending on the time of year you are hiking, you should plan to pack layers, water and snacks for this hike. There is no spot along the route to get water or snacks and there is no shade. We forgot to pack a hat and wish we had one even in November.
While part of this trail is on a good wide path, there are sections that are rocky and you should have good hiking shoes or boots for ankle support.
You can also get clouds blowing in quickly and temperatures can change rapidly. This can also make the trail slippery. We always recommend packing day hiking essentials.
When to Hike on Mallorca
Mallorca is a great place to hike all year long. Dave and I visited in November during a warm week with 70 degrees F weather and it was the perfect hiking conditions.
The best time to hike in Mallorca is generally during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) months. During these periods, the weather is typically mild, with comfortable temperatures ranging from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius (59 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit). Spring offers the beauty of blooming wildflowers and lush landscapes, while autumn provides pleasant temperatures without the summer crowds.
Summer (July to August) can be hot, with temperatures often exceeding 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), making hiking less comfortable. Winter (December to February) can be cooler and occasionally rainy, but it’s still possible to hike, especially in the lowland areas. It’s important to check specific weather conditions and trail accessibility based on your chosen route and altitude.
Details of the Hike to La Trapa Mallorca
Dave and I started the hike from the Coll de Sa Gramola parking lot around 11:00 in the morning in mid November on an unseasonably warm day (around 70 F). The parking lot had just a few cars in it, but I imagine during the busy season this these lots fill up.
There is a map right in the parking lot and the start of the hiking trail is obvious on a large flat trail with a fence along the side of the trail. Directly in front of you you will see the Penyal de n’Anglada rocky stacks. This part of the path is open and travels through a shrub landscape with small palms and rosemary.
The trail follows a wide dirt road, initially along an estate fence. Soon, views open up to the sea and the road leads to the base of the striking Penyal de n’Anglada rocky outcrop.
There is no trail junction until you reach the trail at Cas Guixers. You can turn left here to go on the Camí de Ses Rotes to S’Arracó (1:40 hrs). To continue to the La Trapa Ruins, turn right on the upper track (this is now well marked)
In just a few minutes, the trail divides again – stay to the right on the upper trail and pass the Caseta de Ses Basses stone building. From here the trail heads north and you begin to get some coastal views. There is now one trail marked through this area, but there are many winding trails so it is easy to get a bit off track. All the trails run parallel. Try to stay on the main trail through here with views of the cliffs of the Ses Serres. There is a small trail that leads down to the view at Mirador le Bardes.
This trail is much narrower and rugged compared to the first section but offers increasingly amazing views. You will gradually make your way uphill to a large pile of rocks that marks the Mirador d’en Josep Sastre. Use caution as their are some cliffs here, but you also have your first views down to Sa Dragonera Island.
The trail begins to descend from the stone pile. This is the steepest part of the hike although not overly challenging. After about 20 minutes, the trail levels off and you will see the La Trapa Ruin in the distance. Just before reaching the ruins, the trail join a large track and descends steeply for 5 mintes.
The La Trapa Ruins in Mallorca are the perfect place for a break and a snack. There are no facilities and there is a suggested donation on 1 Euro.
After you’ve enjoyed your visit at the ruins, you will turn around and retrace your steps along this route to the parking lot. We found that on our return trip the clouds rolled in briefly and created a very different but pretty hiking experience.
We loved the hike to La Trapa Ruins and would put it at the top of our list of hiking trails on the island.
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