Lake Cuber to L'Ofre to Biniaraix

The walk today enters the heart of the Sera de Tramuntana mountain range, a UNESCO World Heritage site in its entirety. 20 min by taxi above Port de Soller is peaceful Lake Cuber, a reservoir and sheep grazing area in the mountains and the start of of the walk up to L'Ofre col and also the side route to the peak, 1,093m (3,586 ft) above sea level. An intricate drystone path is carved into the side of the narrow gorge. So tighten up those boots, it's practically 2400 ft down on cobblestones! Gradually the town of Biniaraix, founded by the Moors in the 1st century, and the sea come into view through S'Entret, the entrance, a dramatic parting of rock. Winding the way down again through drystone terraces and the Moors' early but complex irrigation system, we finally arrive at the town with one quaint bar, narrow cobblestone streets, villas with dramatic views of the mountains, and orange groves currently loaded with ripe fruit.

Deía to Soller Beach

Traipsed down the trail between dry stone terraces dotted with the expressive old bark of olive trees. Reached a secluded cove with a gorgeous outlook to the sparkling Mediterranean. After soaking it in, we steadily climbed up from the sea to make a dent on today's 15km hike. Traversed over the mountains and said adiós to the miles of cobblestone paths to finally reach the Port de Soller, a crescent cove dotted with sea view hotels, bars and assorted yachts. What a sight!

Royal Carthusian Monastery 1399-1835, Valdemossa

The monastery, originally a palace and later donated to the monks, was actually made famous by the visit of Frederick Chopin, the Polish composer, and his French mistress, George Sand, the writer of "A Winter in Mallorca". Ironic that an autobiographical travel novel negative about a cold & rainy, unwelcoming Mallorca would drive thousands of visitors each season to the monastery where the couple stayed with her two children in the winter of 1838. Chopin still managed to compose significant pieces here, later finished in Paris. They should have stayed for the Spring when the weather turns delightful.

GR221 Drystone Route, Mallorca

Started off a week of trekking with the famous Archduke of Austria's Trail, a keen 19th C botanist and geologist who owned the local estate, built with drystone rocks forming clifftop paths almost two thousand feet above the Mediterranean Sea. It's an 11-mile walking loop from the quaint town of Valdemossa built around a 15th C Carthusian monastery. Its cobbled streets were home to artists such as the composer Chopin and writer George Sand. From this trail, we eventually joined the spectacular  GR221 Drystone Route, traversing the impressive Serra de Tramuntana mountain range along Mallorca's northern coast.