We are ready to meet the other Mallorca; the one that is outside the usual tourist circuit. Places that are often only known by the Majorcans. Natural treasures or vestiges of the past. We propose a handful of alternative routes to get to know the heart of the island; tours throughout Mallorca without stepping on a beach. Are you coming?
Albufera de Mallorca
The Albufera de Mallorca is an emblematic area of ?? the island. With its more than 1700 hectares, it is an old lagoon separated from the sea by a sequence of dunes. Over time, it has been filled with sediments, which have led it to become a flood plain. It is located in the northern part of the island, very close to an extremely tourist area: the one of Alcudia and Can Picafort. But still, it is one of the most protected areas of the island since it was declared a Natural Park in 1988. The Albufera offers 4 different routes (with durations between 30 minutes and 3 and a half hours) that can be done all year round. If you enjoy horse-riding, you cannot miss its routes. Access is free and the park is open between 9 and 5 pm between October and March, and one hour longer the rest of the year. 
Sa Dragonera
The islet of Sa Dragonera – with a surface area of around 3 square kilometers – is located just 700 meters from the southwest coast of Mallorca. It can be accessed by boat from the towns of San Telmo and Port d’Andrtatx. Luckily, after an ambitious urbanization project of the 70s that included a port, a casino and a hotel, the island council of Mallorca bought the island, which was finally declared a Natural Park in 1995. Among its attractions are spectacular cliffs in the western part of the island; the lighthouses of Llebeig and Tramuntana; traditional constructions such as the “horno de cal” or “el palomar”; and Torre de Llebeig, that was built in 1585 as a defense against pirate ships and later restored in 2004.
Cúber Reservoir
The Cúber reservoir is located between two mountains: the Puig Major (highest point of the Balearic Islands, with an altitude of 1445 meters) and the Morro de Cúber (965 meters high). It was built in the early 70s to supply water to Palma de Mallorca and its surroundings. In 2001, Cúber was declared a hunting refuge. It is accessed from the Font des Noguer car park and the road can be traveled in about an hour. It is a very simple excursion, suitable for both adults and children.
Es Salt des Freu
We continue on our quest to discover the other Mallorca (without stepping on a beach) by mentioning another source of fresh water. Es Salt des Freu is the proof that you can find a waterfall on an island that supposedly lacks rivers. It is located in the Orient valley, in the Sierra de la Tramuntana, very close to the town of Sóller. The access is very simple, suitable for the whole family. In the surroundings we can enjoy the typical landscape of the sierra: dense forest of olive trees, pines and oaks. On the road that leads to the town of Orient – old road formerly used by coal makers – we can find ruins of drinking troughs, swimming pools, the “cases des Freu” or the natural cave of Avenc de son Pou.
Ses Fonts Ufanes
Declared a Natural Monument in 2001, Ses Fonts Ufanes is a peculiar source of natural water found in the municipality of Campanet, in the north of the island. It is the most unique hydrological phenomenon of the island: when there is a significant accumulation of rain water in the Puig Tomir massif, it gushes out in a sudden, intermittent and diffuse way, but with an unusual force. This is without doubt the most curious face of nature of the other Mallorca.
The Camí dels Prisoners
The road of the prisoners (or of the soldiers, or of Coves Blanques) starts from the bay of San Vicente, in the locality of Pollença. It is a path built during the Civil War – and the first years of postwar – by the Republican prisoners and used for the placement of artillery. This road – with magnificent views of Cala San Vicente, the islet of Colomer or the Sierra del Cavall Bernat – ends in the soldiers’ camp, where some ruins are still preserved. In the vicinity you can visit the Puig de l’Aguila or the Castell del Rei.
Beyond its beaches and the most touristic tours, the other Mallorca will not cease to surprise you. These are just a few clues to discover, little by little, an island full of charming places.
