A circular walk through the estate of Son Fortuny—Estellencs’ most significant property—spanning the Tramuntana slopes of the Galatzó

This route explores part of the estate of Son Fortuny, historically one of the largest landholdings in the municipality of Estellencs. It covers nearly half the territory and stretches across the northern slope of Puig de Galatzó (1,027 m). Today, the estate is divided in two: the larger part, which includes the main house and mills (around 380 hectares), and a second portion owned by the Consell de Mallorca since 1981, comprising the less productive land. Together, they form a massive property—now half-public, half-private—that borders three municipalities: Banyalbufar, Puigpunyent, and Calvià, and is flanked by other notable estates such as Planícia, Son Fortesa, and Son Net.

The circular route follows part of the old Royal Road that once connected Estellencs with Puigpunyent, then loops toward the western boundary of the public section, continuing along historic bridle paths and old cart tracks. It’s a wonderful way to discover the rich landscape and heritage of this important part of the municipality, so well described by Antoni Ordinas Garau, Gabriel Ordinas Marcé, and Antoni Reynés Trias in their book Son Fortuny, nom per nom (Consell de Mallorca, 1999). Public transport access is available via lines 202 and 131 from Palma and Santa Ponça (timetables available at tib.org).

The Walk

[00 min] We begin at the Estellencs bus stop, heading toward Banyalbufar. Just before leaving the village, past the old washhouses, we spot the wooden signposts for GR-221.2, a variant of the Dry Stone Route connecting Calvià and Estellencs via Puigpunyent.
[05 min] The well-restored trail—maintained by the Consell de Mallorca—initially follows the Torrent de l’Aigua (or Torrent Major), which originates near the Font de Dalt of Son Fortuny. This section is an old, beautifully cobbled bridle path that intersects with wider cart roads and tracks built during various phases of land parceling around the estate. Signposts point toward Puigpunyent (3 h 15 min / 8.5 km) and Calvià (6 h 25 min / 18 km).

The main house of Son Fortuny soon comes into view, perched high on the hillside. After King Jaume I’s conquest, this land, together with neighboring Son Serralta, was granted to the Bishop of Barcelona as part of the Estellencs cavalry. The Mora and Serralta families were the early landholders until, in the mid-15th century, Jordi Fortuny de Ruesta i de Morainherited the estate and gave it its name. Vineyards, olive groves, cereal crops, charcoal production, and water mills were the main resources sustaining this vast estate.

[20 min] We pass through a gate and cross the Torrent de Son Jover, leaving the manor house to our right and continuing along a path that bends to the left.
[40 min] After a short section of cart track, we return to the bridle path and ascend the slopes near the Enmig fields. The climb is steady and scenic.
[50 min] We reach the Pas del Salt crossing (described in an earlier route), continuing to follow GR waymarks.
[1 h 00 min] A metal gatepost indicates we’ve covered about 3 km since starting.
Shortly after passing the na Jovera path on our left, we arrive at a sharp bend close to the Estellencs col.
[1 h 10 min] Look to the right for a wooden post marking the turnoff to the col, and a cairn indicating the start of a narrow but lovely trail. It leads west through a peaceful holm oak forest.
[1 h 30 min] At a small plateau with a junction, we bear right (southwest/west) and soon pass through a gate without a barrier. Just beyond, we arrive at the Font de Dalt.
[1 h 35 min]

The Font de Dalt, or Font de la Boal

This is one of two springs that give the area its name—Les Fonts (The Springs). Located near an old, partially collapsed charcoal storehouse, the spring features a small mine and a rectangular trough. Although now part of the publicly owned estate, its overflow is still allocated to the private section of Son Fortuny.

Leaving the spring, the path ascends slightly along a dry-stone wall to the right, then curves left to join the Galatzó circular route, which begins at Boal de les Serveres and crosses the Pas de na Sabatera, looping through the Pla de les Fonts, where we now stand.
[1 h 45 min] We turn right and follow the signs toward Boal. Soon, we pass a ruined cistern on the right, followed by a clearing offering stunning views of the Son Fortuny estate and Estellencs.
[2 h 00 min] This natural viewpoint appears on most maps, and a nearby rock outcrop (easily accessible) offers even more panoramic vistas.

The Most Important Spring in Estellencs

We continue toward Boal de les Serveres, reaching a dramatic, elevated stretch where the trail skirts a cliff’s edge—a breathtaking example of vernacular mountain engineering.
The path then dips into a ravine.
[2 h 15 min] We reach an important junction over the Torrent de Miquelet, which runs through the Coma del Moro. Here we leave the main track and turn right down a cart path.
[2 h 25 min] At a sharp right-hand bend, look for well-laid branches on the ground marking a left turn onto a footpath that leads to another junction marked by a large lime kiln.
We turn right (northeast) and head toward a gated entrance (always keep it closed), moving from forest into terraced olive groves. The path, partly upgraded by machinery, leads us to Carrer de la Síquia, the road connecting Estellencs with Son Fortuny.
[2 h 40 min] The estate house now appears on our right.

From here, we begin a smooth descent into the village.
[2 h 50 min] At a bend, we spot a water regulation station on the left—this is the Ull de l’Aigua, the main water source for Estellencs. It sits in the Torrent de l’Aigua, near the Royal Road, east of the Son Fortuny house.
We emerge onto the main road (Ma-10) by the washhouses, turn left, and head into the village, ending our walk at the parish church of Sant Joan Baptista.
[3 h 00 min]