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Nature and culture in Mallorca: 5 unforgettable hikes   Mallorca is a natural, historical and cultural treasure trove. Today we present 5 hikes for when you plan your next trip to Mallorca with Inturotel. Being in touch with nature makes life more beautiful, and of course it makes us happier… We recommend you look for routes and maps on an app such as Wikiloc. Off we go!     Santuario de Sant Salvador   This 15th-century sanctuary, located 500 metres above sea level, affords spectacular panoramic views of Mallorca. The origins of the Sanctuary of Sant Salvador go as far back as 1348, and today it consists of an 18th-century church, a small chapel from 1910 and a monument to Christ the King, dating from 1934.   This hike runs along a quiet, pleasant path, suitable for the whole family. Along the way you will encounter a 19th-century Via Crucis, with different stations representing experiences lived out by Jesus on the day of his crucifixtion. You will also come across “el macolí del gegant” (or “the giant’s pebble”). According to legend, one day a “pebble” fell from the shoe of a giant who terrorised the local people. Even today, there is still a custom among inhabitants of Felanitx of throwing a stone at this boulder, which is about 10 metres from the trail, and making a wish.   The ascent takes 1 hour. The Sanctuary of Sant Salvador is located in the municipality of Felanitx, just 20 kms from the beautiful Cala d’Or, where you will be able to stay at one of our Inturotel hotels next to the sea.     The forest of Lluc and its monastery   The Sanctuary of Lluc is Mallorca’s most important place of pilgrimage, and indeed one of the best-known in Europe. It lies in one of the island’s most beautiful natural enclaves, hidden amidst the woods and mountains of the Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is hardly surprising, then, that the name Lluc derives from the Latin place name Lucus, meaning “sacred forest”. The first we hear of the establishment of a chapel in Lluc is from the year 1268. Inside the present-day monastery, one can pray to “La Moreneta”, Mallorca’s most popular Virgin who, legend has it, was found by a shepherd boy. If you love plants, don’t miss a visit to the Botanic Garden here, with over 200 varieties of plants from the Balearic Islands, some of which are endemic and endangered, and only found in the Puig Major area. And don’t forget to indulge in a restorative hot chocolate accompanied by an ensaïmada or a tasty coca de patata before bidding this natural and spiritual refuge farewell!     Camí des Correu   A trail with medieval roots connecting the lovely villages of Esporles and Banyalbufar, the Camí des Correu runs along classic paths of the Serra de Tramuntana, surrounded by holm-oak woods and marvellous views of the coast and the Mediterranean. It dates back to the year 1401, and until the 19th century was the only road communicating the village with the rest of the island. It forms part of the walking route known as Pedra en sec (dry stone walling), an ancestral technique by which stones are set on one another without using cement, making terracing that allowed crops to be grown on the sides of mountains, walls to delimit properties and fields, and paving for paths and roads.       The starting point for this hike is at the church of Esporles. It takes approximately two and a half hours, and once again is a walk that is suitable for families, as it is easy and well signposted.     Puig des Teix via Camí de S’Arxiduc   Valldemossa is one of the most beautiful villages on Mallorca. Located in the heart of the Serra de Tramuntana, one of the peaks that overlook it is Puig des Teix, with its extensive holm-oak woodland. One great attraction of walking up Puig des Teix is to discover the “Camí de S’Arxiduc”, a path constructed on the ridge in the 19th century at the behest of Archduke Ludwig Salvator, a member of the Austrian imperial family and one of the most relevant figures of recent centuries on the island. From 1867 to 1915 the Archduke spent long spells of time at his properties between Valldemossa and Deià.     On one of his numerous research trips around the Mediterranean, the Archduke mapped the south-eastern coast, where the Inturotel hotels are located, stopping at Cala LLonga and exploring the coves in the area, and leaving a written testimony of this visit:   “Farther along we see the natural arch called Es Pontàs, the antechamber to Cala Mitjana cove. A sea cave, the domain of wild pigeons, stands out in the reddish cliff, along with a watchtower up high and a headland with flat summit followed by Cala Ferrera. To the left is Caló de Ses Dones, whose sandy beach is populated by pine trees, and, at the back, we see Castell de Santueri and Sant Salvador”.     Barranc de Biniaraix   A two-hour walk amongst ancient stone terraces, with memorable views of Mallorca. The gully of Barranc de Biniaraix, located near the delightful village of Sóller, was declared an asset of cultural interest in the monument category in 1994, due to its impressive scenic, environmental, historical and cultural value.   Since time immemorial, the gully path was the main route of communication for the valley of Sóller and Fornalutx with those of L’Ofre, Cúber, Orient or the Lluc monastery.       The estimated time needed to walk this route is about two hours, but it all depends on your pace and the stops you make along the way. Ideally this beautiful hike should be completed unhurriedly, as you relax and enjoy the scenery and nature.   Have a great trip and magical experiences!