Explore part of Sóller’s extensive, rich, and well-preserved network of bridle paths, steeped in stories and legends.

“The valley of Sóller, hemmed in by Puig del Teix to the west, the Serra de Alfàbia and Son Torrella to the south, and Puig Major and the Montcaire mountains to the east, boasts one of the most extensive, rich, and well-preserved networks of bridle paths on the island of Mallorca—a heritage of outstanding historical, cultural, and ethnological value.” With this accurate and evocative description by our good friend and Sóller-born guide Antoni Reynés Trias in mind, we lace up our boots and shoulder our backpacks—well hydrated, sunhats on, sunscreen at the ready—to explore a slice of the “valley of oranges.”

If you’re arriving by public transport to the start of the route—at the Figuera roundabout, just after the Mola tunnel on the way to Port de Sóller—bus lines L-203, 204, 231, and 232 stop there (see schedules at tib.org).

The Route

[00 min] Starting from the roundabout at the Mola tunnel exit, heading towards Port de Sóller, we walk in the direction of the Figuera road (Ma-2124), with Puig de Bàlitx straight ahead. A sign reminds us that this is a “road built by Republican prisoners.” In December 1936, a concentration camp was established at Llatzaret (on Repic beach), where more than fifty government prisoners were used as forced labor to convert the old cart track from Muleta (linking the port to the lighthouse) and the road from Sóller to the port—passing through the Marquès pass and the Sa Figuera estate—into paved roads.

This is now an asphalt road, rising gently through an area of olive groves and orchards, with a layout typical of the entire valley. We head northeast, parallel to the Figuera stream.

Soon, a wooden sign from the Dry Stone Route (Ruta de Pedra en Sec) maintained by the Consell de Mallorca leads us off the road into the charming, historic hamlet of Sa Figuera [10 min], documented since the 14th century, and home to the impressive Can Bardí de la Figuera defense tower. The cobbled path skirts houses and stream, climbing toward the estate of Ca s’Hereu [20 min], along the Camí de la Coma. Shortly before reaching the estate, the path widens to allow vehicle access from the Figuera road. Watch for wooden posts: just past the estate, we turn right onto another bridle path that takes us to the idyllic Font de la Pica [30 min].

According to the website Fonts de Tramuntana, although the spring lies within the Bosc estate, its water belongs to Ca s’Hereu and Can Gordo. The spring rises from a nook under the rocks and trickles into a small trough—a washbasin really—which gives the fountain its name. The water crosses the path via a stone channel and continues toward the nearby estates.

We continue along a beautifully cobbled path, radiating old-world charm. A short climb brings us to an asphalt road next to the Bosc estate on the right. The area is surrounded by well-tended olive groves.
[40 min] We rejoin the Figuera road (Ma-2124), ascending to the coll d’en Marquès [50 min], where new signposts await. We briefly turn left onto the Camí de Cas Bernats, then quickly rejoin the main route to Fornalutx, Tuent, and la Calobra. Right from the start, a steep, stepped section takes us between the ruins of Can Bonjesús (left) and Can Bresca (right) [55 min].

The path continues southeast, weaving through terraced land with fine views across the valley and its enclosing mountains. One more small climb awaits, including a short stretch with a handrail to help us over an old landslide zone.
[1 h 00 min] We emerge onto a level, comfortable cart track, which we follow to a junction with the old Bàlitx path [1 h 15 min], where we turn right and begin our descent toward les Argiles and l’Horta.

This section offers yet another glimpse of the rich web of historic bridle paths crisscrossing the Sóller valley. Bàlitx d’Amunt, and later the Mirador de les Barques, mark the meeting point of many trails that historically connected Sóller and Fornalutx with Tuent and la Calobra, in the municipality of Escorca. These are trails where you can still feel the effort and resilience of the people who lived off the land—echoes of tired mule drivers, of farm women chatting as they walked to the olive groves, of families' shared dreams, and even of past tragedies.

One such tragedy was the death of Margalida Servera, a 16-year-old from Algaida, who died in a work accident at Bàlitx in January 1910. Her fiancé, Sebastià Company, commissioned fellow Algaidí Bartomeu Montserrat (master Tomeu Memes) to compose a ballad in her memory—one that immortalized her story:

“The master of Bàlitx sends me, with orders and laborers...
Margalida is dead! Oh, what a cruel stab,
no Christian deserves such pain!”

Church of Mare de Déu de la Victòria

[1 h 30 min] We pass Can Costurer and then cross the main mountain road (Ma-10) near Can Bisbal. The route alternates between bridle paths, brief asphalt stretches, and cart roads. We join the Camí de Son Blanco, then the Camí de les Argiles [1 h 45 min], directly opposite Can Puput. Turning left, we head toward Sóller until we meet Camí de Can Domàtiga on the right, which leads us into l’Horta. A short stretch of asphalt road brings us to the Camí de la Figuera de Baix, where we turn right, guided by the bell tower of the Mare de Déu de la Victòria parish church.

Built in 1923, the church was originally dedicated to Saint Joseph of the Mountain, who presided over the Neo-Gothic altarpiece.
[1 h 55 min] We leave the church to our right and continue straight toward the port, crossing the coll d’en Borrassà (north/northwest).

We cross the Ma-10 again and head toward Can Tamany [2 h 05 min], remembering the courageous women who took part in Sóller’s defense against pirates on Saint Pontius Day in 1561. At the house eaves, we enjoy a fine example of painted roof tiles, an emblematic local craft.

Just one final climb to the pass, then we take the first path on the left and descend toward Port de Sóller, emerging once again at the Mola tunnel roundabout, above the Figuera stream, where we close the circuit and conclude our walk.

[2 h 30 min]