Hiking in Mallorca: From Formentor’s Shores to Secluded Cala en Gossalba
Our first day in Mallorca was nothing short of an adventure! It all began at the crack of dawn, around 5 am, when I was gently nudged awake by my baby girl’s active kicks in my belly. Ilian, who hadn’t managed to sleep until then, finally found solace in my embrace and slept soundly until 8 am. Once we were both awake, we enjoyed a peaceful breakfast on the balcony, soaking in the slightly chilly, cloudy, and windy morning.
A Scenic Drive and Unintended Detours
After packing our hiking essentials, we made a quick stop at Lidl to gather supplies for our lunch: bread, hummus, cucumber, tomato, and cheese. With our picnic secured, we set off toward Cala Figuera. The journey wasn’t straightforward as we navigated through narrow streets and took an unintended detour, turning our trip into an hour-long drive. However, the scenic route along the Alcudia coastline, dotted with kite and windsurfers, made it worthwhile. We passed by Port de Pollença, a picturesque spot that offered a stunning view of the port.
The stunning Formentor beach
Formentor Beach and Our Failed Hike to Cala Murta
We set off with the initial plan to drive to Cala Figuera on the north-western peninsula of Mallorca. However, we quickly realized that driving all the way there was not possible. The road was closed, and we found ourselves at a dead end near Formentor Beach.Faced with this obstacle, we parked at the free lot at Formentor Beach and had to rethink our plans. After a quick Google search and checking AllTrails in the car, we decided to hike to Cala Murta instead. This seemed like a promising alternative, offering us the first trail we found that would still let us explore the area.
Leaving the car, we headed towards Formentor beach, only to be surprised by the breathtaking turquoise Mediterranean Sea contrasting against cloudy sky, creating picture-perfect moments. The quiet coastline, with only a few beach-goers that day, made us feel like we had the place to ourselves.
In Paradise! Cala en Gossalba- a secluded rocky beach…
A Challenging Climb and a Change of Plans
As we ventured further along the coastline of Formentor, enjoying the view of a secluded island a few hundered meters away from the coastline and the beautiful village and boats along, we found ourselves on an asphalt road flanked by under-construction hotels and villas. After a few kilometers, the road ended, presenting us with a steep hill and a warning sign about ongoing hunting. We spotted two goats fighting and kicking each others heads playfully but, undeterred, attempted the climb. After ascending about 100 meters, my hiking buddy wisely suggested turning back, considering my pregnancy (22 weeks at the time).
Lunch on the Beach and a Bus Ride
We retraced our steps to the parking lot, but made a short stop to enjoy our Lidl lunch on the beach, basking in the beautiful view of the coastline, mountains, boats, and the small rocky island nearby. We re-planned our hiking adventure once again. Instead of heading back, we chose to take a bus to the northern part of the peninsula, near Cala Figuera. The bus ride was quick, about 10 minutes, and from our stop, we continued our journey on foot. Thankfully, despite the blockage of the road, tourists were still allowed to reach the northwest part of the peninsula.
Discovering Cala Figuera and the Hidden Path
After a short ride with the bus (which funnily costed only 0.1 Danish Kroner?!), we followed the asphalt road leading all the way towards the trailhead. The path was zigzagging uphill and passing by a serene landscape, where we encountered fast cyclists and passed under a tunnel. Soon, Cala Figuera emerged on our left, and we took numerous photos of the stunning bay. A slightly hidden path, which was supposed to be the head trail, located between the hills beckoned us, and we decided to follow it despite initial hesitation. The initial stretch of the trail was grassy but soon gave way to a rocky path lined with trees. The pathway alternated between gentle descents and flat stretches, and we spotted several goats along the way. Initially, we were unsure if they would be aggressive, but they proved to be harmless, moving away from our path as we approached.
Reaching the Secluded Cala en Gossalba
The weather was just perfect as it was slightly windy with no sun and not too hot. This ideal climate made our hike more enjoyable as we ventured further along the trail. Not long after, we walked through an even more picturesque and rocky path. To our left, we saw what seemed to be the rocky bed of a river that once carved its way into the mountain, although it was dry now. Then, we started hearing the crashing waves of the sea. The sound grew louder until, suddenly, the sea appeared in front of us. We had reached our second highlight of the trail – Cala en Gossalba. This secluded, rocky beach, devoid of people and surrounded by nature, felt like a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. There was only one little boat floating in the bay, but no people were to be spotted. We carefully navigated the tricky, rocky terrain along the coastline, following small rock piles marking the path. At the end of the bay, we were momentarily confused about where to go until I spotted a rope. This marked the beginning of a steep climb back towards our starting point.
A steep climb on the cliffs at Cala en Gossalba
A Steep Climb Back and Panoramic views
Despite the challenge, we climbed slowly and steadily, occasionally guided by the presence of goats, who seemed like our natural trail markers. The climb was arduous but manageable, and the breathtaking views provided ample reward. After some time, we reached a grassy field and a fork in the path: one way leading to Cala Murta, the other back to the trailhead. We opted for the latter, appreciating the zigzagging, well-defined path. As we ascended, we admired the breathtaking views of the sea and the rocky mountains that surrounded us. Reaching the top, we found ourselves near the asphalt road we had originally started from, with another zigzagging path leading us back down.
Refreshments and Relaxation
Back on the asphalt road, we walked under the tunnel again and reached the bus stop. A quick ride brought us back to the parking lot at Formentor Beach. Alternatively, one could decide to take the bus towards the end of the peninsula towards Lighthouse Fermentor. When we were back at Fermentor beach, Ilian grabbed a much-needed coffee while we enjoyed the now clearer skies and sunshine. We then headed back to our hotel, with a brief stop for grocery shopping to prepare for the next day’s lunch.
After refreshing showers at the hotel, we had a delightful dinner outside the hotel. Ilian watched the European Championship match, while I savored the last moments of our adventure from the balcony. In total, we walked 8.5 km on the circular loop to Cala Figuera and Cala en Gossalba, and an additional 4.5 km in Formentor during our attempt to reach Cala Murta. Our first day in Mallorca was a perfect blend of challenges, breathtaking scenery, and moments of tranquility – a day well spent in this Mediterranean paradise.
Start
Parking near Cala Figuera
End
Parking near Cala Figuera
Duration
3 hours
Length
8.5 km
Difficulty
Intermediate
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