GR221 Mallorca

The GR221, or The Dry Stone Route is the longest hike on the island of Mallorca.
The Mallorquins call it “La Ruta de Pedra en Sec”, as it is built primarily with limestone paving stones rather than cement, it is a masterpiece which showcases the island’s natural beauty.
I first read about this route in a magazine almost 25 years ago and it instantly caught my attention. I thought to myself “one day I will travel and experience this route” In September 2023 I fulfilled that dream, and it was a fantastic experience. I hiked 100km ( stages 2 to 9 )
None of the nights that I spent in the tent went to plan, but this only added to the whole experience.
What made it so memorable were the people I encountered along the way, fellow hikers, wild campers and the people of Mallorca.
The drone footage is not the best as I only bought it the week before I went.

[@Arasinnature-vh1fg]

what a beautiful nature 👍

[@Andrew.........]

Hi Aras. Thank you Yes it is a beautiful Island.

[@africanboyvibes]

Awesome sharing✌🏿❤✨💯💥

[@Andrew.........]

Hi. Thanks for your message, and thanks for your support. All the best 👍

[@daphnebitter]

Very nice!! I am happy to see that you had all the way good weather, just a rainy start 😅

[@Andrew.........]

Hi Daphne. It was a memorable experience. It is a beautiful island. I will definitely go back again. Thanks for your message 👍

12 like very nice video Hello brother my friend süper 💯💯🙋‍♀️👍🏻🦋

[@Andrew.........]

Hi 👋. Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed it. 👍

[@reluctantfellrunner]

Thanks for popping onto my channel. Just popped over to take a look and subscribed. Best wishes.

[@Andrew.........]

Hi Nigel, thanks for the subscription. Much appreciated 👍

[@ClubCrafteria]

Enjoyed watching the beautiful views in the video. Great share

[@Andrew.........]

Thank you. I am glad that you enjoyed it.it was a wonderful trip with fantastic views.Take care 👍

[@lifesahobby]

Great film andrew . Going to make myself a coffee and watch it properly

[@Andrew.........]

Hi Owen. Thank you. It was an ambition to walk this route for a long time. Seen it in a magazine over 25 years ago, and it caught my imagination. It was a very rewarding experience. All the best, and I hope you are keeping well 👍

[@lifesahobby]

Happy new year

[@Andrew.........]

Happy New Year, Owen. Wishing you a good one 👍.

[@thevigarfeeling]

Hi, this trail looks truly fantastic. We love the way you captured it. Being in nature is amazing. Have a great weekend

[@Andrew.........]

Hi Mike and Chelsea. Thank you for your comments. The trail was all I hoped it would be and more . I checked out your videos and it looks like you guys are on your own trail, a very long trail 🙂. hope your journey and adventures go well. Thanks again and safe journey 👍

[@VISTATREKKER]

That looks like a fabulous thing to do. Great way to get to know a place. Looked beautiful. One town as pretty as the next.

[@Andrew.........]

Hi Robin. Thank you. It was a really memorable experience. lots of beautiful villages, towns and countryside. I was a bit apprehensive about doing six consecutive days, but the body held out ok. Not every night went to plan, but that only added to the experience. It will live in the memory banks for a long time. My videoing skill don't do the island justice. Once you went inland it was a very lush landscape. Thanks for your support, it is very much appreciated. All the best👍

[@ThailandOutdoors]

Wow, the views from the top are amazing, worth the effort to get there for sure.

[@Andrew.........]

Thanks. It was an amazing experience. It's a beautiful island. The views from the tops of the mountains were spectacular. Take care 👍

[@WildIrishman]

Fantastic film Andrew. Great views. I loved the POV angles. Well done my friend 👍

[@Andrew.........]

Thanks, Paul. It was a great experience. The views were amazing. The knees held out, but I'm missing a few toenails 😅. Thanks for watching and your message. It's really appreciated. All the best 👍

[@hikingonthebeautifulplanet]

Beautiful hiking video

[@Andrew.........]

Thank you for your nice message. I really appreciate it 👍

[@Top.Mallorca]

Beautiful hiking in Mallorca ! The sunset was lovely. September is in general a windy month.

[@Andrew.........]

Hi. Thank you for your message. Mallorca is a beautiful island, and I really enjoyed my time there. I will definitely return. Your videos show all the nice beaches and towns. Have a happy new year 👍

[@fishingcampborneo]

come to support, thank you for sharing interesting videos, I like your content, keep up the good work, always success for all of us

[@Andrew.........]

Thank you for your kind message. Happy fishing 🎣 . All the best 👍

[@locky52]

An incredible looking hike, wonderfully documented. 👏👏 Well done Andrew

[@Andrew.........]

Thanks Sean. It was a very enjoyable experience. the weather gods played their part and kept the rain away 🙂. It has created a lot of memories. Thanks for the sub 👍. Talk soon. Take care.

[@SetForAdventures]

This was fantastic Andrew the trail definitely shows off the beauty of Majorca and glad that first day rain didn’t last 🤠🙏🏼 I bet it was everything your wanted it to be and more mate 🙏🏼 It looked stunning for us viewing the edit music choice where excellent too 🙏🏼 Thanks for sharing your adventure Best regards Simon 🤠👍🏔️

[@Andrew.........]

Hi Simon. Thank you 👍. It was a very rewarding experience. I was lucky with the weather. The island had some pretty bad weather in the weeks before, and I just caught the tail end of it. The people that I met along the trail are what made it so enjoyable. Some days went to plan, and some didn't, but that also added to the experience. Thank you for your support and nice comments, Simon. They are always appreciated 👍. All the best

[@SetForAdventures]

@@Andrew......... most welcome Andrew definitely an adventure and an enjoyable one to watch 🤠🙏🏼

[@MiriamKennedy]

Brilliant Andrew! What an amazing adventure and wonderful that you got to realise your 25 year old dream 🎉 It looked fantastic and fab to see you flying a drone now too. Those blue skies and dry tracks were very enviable - thank god the rain when you first arrived departed again 🫣 A really enjoyable watch - the Irish Liam Brown 😎

[@Andrew.........]

Hi Miriam. It was a very rewarding experience 🙂. Yes, I was lucky with the weather, as there were a lot of thunder and lightning storms in the previous weeks. I think I will have my L plates on for drone flying for a while 😅. I only got it the week before going. Thanks for watching and your nice comments. They are always appreciated. Take care 👍. BTW, Who is Liam Brown ?? 🤣🤣

[@richscenic]

21👍♥♥Wow !! ♥♥Great presentation, ♥MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024♥Amazing dear pretty sister, ♥♥very beautiful , ♥♥wonderful coverage , ♥♥greetings from HONG KONG @richscenic👍🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@Andrew.........]

Hi. Thank you. Happy New Year to you. 👍👍

[@stigfloberghagenphotography]

Thats impressive. Guess the water in Pollensa was nice after many days of hiking 👍 Was there this summer. Subbed 👍🙂

[@Andrew.........]

@@stigfloberghagenphotography Hi Stig. Thank you. My feet enjoyed the water 😀. Thanks for your sub. Have subbed you👍

[@gerrymcveigh]

Andrew, that looked like an epic trip highlighting the beautiful landscape and coastline of Mallorca👍 The hostel accommodation looked pretty good, though there nothing like spending a night out wild camping and you had a beautiful evening and morning☀👍 (except for those pesky trail runners😊). The reservoir was some spot in such an arid landscape. Always nice to cool off the feet at the end of (an epic) walk. A few questions if you don't mind😊 The trail didn't look too busy? Did you plan all your days and stops beforehand? How was the water situation (some days you looked to be carrying plenty)?

[@Andrew.........]

Hi Gerry. It was a very rewarding trip, The Island has a lot of hidden beauty that you only get to see by doing such a trip.The video only gives a glimpse of this varied landscape. The trail was not that busy, you would encounter the same hikers for about 2 days and then you wouldn't see them again, but they would be replaced by different faces for another couple of days. The majority of people were staying in the Government run refuges or Hostals (basically 2 star hotels). I planned all the days and stops in advance. I had planned to stay in the tent every second night, it mostly went to plan 🙄. There were not many doing the wild camping, I only encountered 4 others. The trail runners !! that was my own fault for setting up too near the main trail. But I didn't expect them to be out that early. 5 in the morning 🤨. There was no water to be had in the mountains until I got to the stage going up to the reservoir. There are fonts and wells marked on the map but they were all dry. Maybe its different in the winter months. So I had to carry about four litres a day depending on where I was staying for the night. The water was picked up in the villages along the way. I know in one clip it looks like I have a lot of water bottles but some of them were empties. Surprisingly, I didnt eat that much over the six days of hiking. The terrain was dry, with a lot of stony sections. It had some tough climbs and descends and some lovely flat sections through forests . I was glad to finish it, as my feet and toes were feeling the strain 😂. All the best Gerry 👍

[@gerrymcveigh]

Cheers Andrew👍

[@monique6604]

enjoyed your video. currently preparing my trip there, starting at the end of october. could I ask you a question? how did you find navigation? read that it is not that well signposted? thank you and keep going!

[@Andrew.........]

Hi Monique. For navigation I used the maps www.editorialalpina.com/en/alpina-map/serra-de-tramuntana-waterproof-2/ and also the hiking app outdoor active. I hiked the 8 stages from Sant Elm to Lluc. I found it well signposted except for the area around the mountain Mola de s'Esclop, the grass is very long, and the trail disappears for a while. Also between Esporles and Valldemosa going through the forest is a little tricky. Overall there are a lot of new signs on the trail and also the small stone cairns that show the way. I used the outdoor active app most days. It made life a lot easier. I don't think you will have any problems. If you have any more questions then just ask. I hope you have a great trip. 👍

[@niallharran]

What an amazing trip Andrew 😮 We had a family holiday in Mallorca about 8 years ago and I spent 3 days cycling close to where you were walking. It's an amazingly beautiful area and I'm fully invested in going back there now to do this hiking route 😱🤣

[@Andrew.........]

Thanks Niall. It was an amazing experience. Mallorca was my first ever sun holiday ,maybe 35 years ago. At that time, I didn't appreciate the beauty of the place. It is a popular spot for cycling 🚲, some tough climbs on the island wether cycling or hiking. Thanks for watching 👍 PS bring a box or two of compedes when you go.

[@liliaofw]

What a beautiful hiking in mallorca!!! So amazing, beautiful place😊thanks for sharing with us😊happy new year😊

[@Andrew.........]

Hi. Thank you. Yes, Mallorca is such a beautiful place. Have a happy new year. 👍🌟

[@seancashin6135]

Hi Andrew, I've just subscribed having come across your GR221 video. Really enjoyed it. I did the Valdermossa to Soller sections a few years ago. I hope to return next year and start from St. Elm. How difficult to follow is the waymarking during the first few days, please? I've heard it is problematic to follow the route, not least because of landowners restricting access. Thank you.

[@Andrew.........]

Hi Sean. Thanks for subscribing. For navigation I used the maps www.editorialalpina.com/en/alpina-map/serra-de-tramuntana-waterproof-2/ and also the hiking app outdoor active. As regards landowners restricting access: Before going, I had read in the guide books and online that there was a problem between Esporles and Valldemosa with landowners. I had no problem on any of the sections with blocked access or landowners. As for navigation: I found it well signposted except for the area around the mountain Mola de s'Esclop, the grass is very long, and the trail disappears for a while. Also between Esporles and Valldemosa going through the forest is a little tricky. Overall there are a lot of new signs on the trail and also the small stone cairns that show the way. I used the outdoor active app most days(especially in the towns as there are very few signs). The app made life a lot easier. I don't think you will have any problems. If you have any more questions, just ask. I am not sure if you are camping or staying in refuges or hostals ?? I ended up staying in Refuge Galatzo at the end of the first day. This was not my intended stop. I was actually meant to be camping on Mola de s'Esclop. There is a story behind this, that I won’t go into 🤐 but this Refuge is 6 kilometers off the trail, so don’t stay there !!😅 All the best 👍

[@seancashin6135]

Thank you, great info. I'll check out the link, too. All the best for the next one!

[@yorkshiretrailblazer]

I go 27th. APRIL .. what's the bigger thing I need to know..I be camping the whole way..

[@Andrew.........]

Hi. Camping gas was the first issue, I bought it in Kenia outdoor which is in Palma city, its not too far from the bus station but it closes for siesta from 2 o'clock until 4. I had to wait for over an hour (in the rain) for it to open back up. I didn't see camping gas in any of the shops or supermarkets along the way. Water is really only available in the towns and villages, or until you reach cuber reservoir. There are fonts and wells marked on the map but they were either dry or looked dodgy. It was September when I went. Most towns have a shop or supermarket for getting food. The shop in Estellencs is very small and I don't recall seeing one in Banyalbufar. The route is fairly well marked with sign posts, I used a map and the Alltrails app. The app was useful especially in the town of Soller. Camping spots were reasonably OK to find. It was very hot during the day but as soon as the sun goes down you will feel the cold especially if you are up at height. I think you will enjoy the experience. Best of luck with it. Andrew

[@yorkshiretrailblazer]

Thankyou... Andrew... yer water is my biggest concern... hopefully be fine .. thanks for heads up on camping GAS

[@scienceownsimposters2142]

Dont fear the hidden truth fear your indoctrination.

[@scienceownsimposters2142]

Your hidden home is Mallorca but you dont know it now because of indoctrination.With the coming spiritual awakening you will discover what the legendary Mallorca really is and you will faint =).Having an open mind is key and a blessing.

[@Andrew.........]

Thank you for your message. Mallorca is a magical place. 👍

[@scienceownsimposters2142]

@@Andrew......... Indeed it is =).The Irish descend from the glorious and sacred Basque people(druids/saints)This is top secret/taboo tho.