From Pollença to Puig de Maria
All you need to know about this easy, panoramic hike, not to be missed during your Mallorca vacation
The panoramic walk to the Puig de Maria is an essential part of any trip or holiday in the Pollença area.
This trail, a variant of the popular GR221 long distance route, offers great views and is relatively easy, making it ideal for families.
I have done this easy and scenic excursion to Pollenca’s local mountain twice. Once by myself and once with the entire family of 4 generations.
Read on, to find out everything there is to know about that lovely afternoon stroll and the former sanctuary on top of the Puig de Maria.
Puig de Maria Overview
The Puig de Maria (or Puig de Pollença) is the local mountain of Pollenca. At 333m, the former monastery complex, Santuari de la Mare de Déu del Puig, towers high above the small town in the northwest of Mallorca.
Whether you’re only a few days on the island or taking road tripping for a week, Pollenca and the fantastic view from Puig de Maria should be on your to-do list.
Puig de Maria is not to be confused with the so-called Mallorca stairway to heaven, which is also located in Pollenca, but in the city center.
The legend
According to legend, the monastery was founded in the middle of the 14th century due to a miracle of the Virgin Mary.
At that time, 3 women from Pollenca saw a bright light on the mountain at night. When this was seen several nights in a row, people went up and found a stone statue of the Virgin Mary.
The men of Pollenca wanted to take the statue to the local parish church, but it got heavier with every step they carried it down the mountain. Taking this as a divine sign, they brought the statue back and built a chapel there.
The history of the monastery (short version)
The Convent of the Virgin Mary was built in 1348. At that time, the plague was sweeping across Europe and people wanted to ask for protection from the epidemic. In Mallorca, the Black Death killed around 20% of the population that year.
The chapel was completed in 1355 and converted into a monastery in 1371. Years later, the walls and a defense tower were added. The monastery had to be closed in 1564 and did not open its doors again until 1638.
Over time, various extensions were added, and the architectural style changed from Gothic to Baroque. Until the end of the 20th century, the Sanctuary was inhabited by nuns and monks from various orders.
Today, the mountain is a popular excursion destination for tourists, pilgrims, and Mallorcans alike. There are overnight accommodations, barbecue areas, a bar and a fantastic panoramic view of the surrounding countryside.
Insider tip: Every year on Easter Monday, a procession, the festa del Puig, takes place on the Puig de Maria. This is followed by a large picnic with barbecue, dancing and music.
Hiking to the Puig de Maria monastery
The hike to the former Puig de Maria monastery is the opposite of hiking through the Torrent de Pareis. It is more of an easy walk and is also suitable for families with small children. Depending on your fitness level, the ascent takes between 45 and 60 minutes.
This is a “one-way hike” meaning that you have to walk back the same way. In total, you should plan 2-3 hours for the entire trip to Puig de Maria, including a break and enjoying the view.
From the parking lot, south of Pollenca town centre, follow the signs to Puig de Maria. After crossing the main road MA-2200, the beautiful but also strenuous part of the hike to the Marian monastery begins.
At the beginning, the little road winds past a few pretty houses with flowery hedges. This is followed by a walk through a pine forest. Between the hairpin bends, you can always take a shortcut along narrow, even steeper paths.
Most of the hiking trail is paved. However, the narrow road is only permitted for residents, so traffic is kept to a minimum.
There are also 2 benches where you can rest along the way.
The last 15 minutes of the climb are not paved. The surface changes to single, large stones, which are no problem for walkers, but problematic for strollers. You could also call it a bad cobblestone or a donkey track.
The GR-221 hiking trail continues up the mountain in tight bends. In this area, we saw several wild mountain goats jumping over the rocks. On the individual hairpin bends, we also get our first outstanding views, again and again.
A highlight for children is the Cova del Dimoni (Demon’s Cave). The crevice is wide enough for children to climb in quite a way. However, a flashlight or a cell phone would be important, as it quickly gets very dark.
Of course, this small cave is nothing compared to the large stalactite caves on the island.
Then the last few meters on the ascending cobblestones, and we are standing in front of the steps that lead into the monastery’s forecourt.
On top of Puig de Maria
The reward for the sometimes steep climb is a magnificent view of the town, the bay of Pollença, Alcúdia, the Formentor peninsula and the Serra de Tramuntana from the forecourt.
The stone gate at the other end of the forecourt leads to the picnic areas, which also offer views of the north coast.
If you do not head into the forecourt via the stone steps, but instead go through the small stone gate on the right, you will reach the main entrance to the monastery. Entering the building from here leads to the entrance to the chapel, a small museum, a bar and overnight accommodation.
In summer, the bar serves tasty and inexpensive snacks and drinks.
Info: The hike to Puig de Maria does not require hiking boots. The hiking trail to the monastery is not particularly demanding. However, sports shoes or other shoes with some treads are generally a good idea, as the last section can be quite stony and slippery after rain.
Trail details: Pollenca to Puig de Maria
| Start & Finish | Parking Carrer de Cecili Metel (⇒ location) |
| Lenght | 5km / 3,1miles |
| Altitude meter | ↑ 260 / ↓ 260 |
| Difficulty | easy |
| GPS tracks via Komoot |
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Accommodations at the Puig de Maria monastery
The former monastery cells now offer accommodation for 25 guests. The 12 rooms and dormitories for 2-4 people are very basic. Unlike in the Lluc monastery, the guest rooms are not as modernly furnished and equipped.
There are shared bathrooms in the corridor and you have to bring your own towels. Telephone number for reservations: 971 184 132
How to get to Pollenca and where to park
Pollença is located in the northwest of Mallorca and by the way a great town to stay on the island if you do not have a car. From Palma, Pollença and Puig de Maria can be reached in 45 minutes by car (58km / 36miles).
From the vibrant Port d’Alcúdia with all its activities, it is only 12 km, and you can get there in less than 20 minutes by car.
There is plenty of free parking on the southern outskirts of the beautiful old town of Pollença (⇒ location). Those are an excellent starting point for the hike, followed by a stroll through the town center.
Insider tip: On Sundays there is a market in Pollenca and the parking spots fill up very quickly
Hotel recommendation for Pollenca & Port de Pollenca
For those who prefer a little more comfort than the spartan monastery cell on the Puig de Maria, I recommend the Mon Boutique Hotel, located in the heart of the old town of Pollença.
A special highlight of this four-star hotel is the pool on the roof terrace, from which you can admire the Puig de Maria.
⇨ Check availability and rates for the fantastic Mon Boutique Hotel
If you prefer to stay next to the sea than you will love the Hotel Illa d’Or & Club which is an absolute dream. Just outside Port de Pollenca city center, this outstanding 4-star hotel offers fully equipped apartments or beautiful hotel rooms right by the sea.
You can swim in the outdoor pool, in the small rocky bays right in front of the door, or over the long pier. There is also an extensive breakfast buffet for a great start to the day.
⇨ Check availability and rates for the outstanding Hotel Illa d’Or & Club
Conclusion on hiking to the Puig Maria monastery
The hike or walk to Puig Maria is really suitable for everyone. We took on this “challenge” as a big family.
It definitely took a lot longer to reach the top than if I had been alone, but the view is absolutely worth it. Two pensioners and a family with two small children also climbed Puig Maria with us without any problems.
The biggest challenge was the baby stroller, which we had to carry or pull behind us for the last 15 minutes.
This hike even fits a short 3-day trip or your 4-day Mallorca itinerary, being such a short but worth your time hike.
