The Sa Calobra Canyon, also known as the Torrent de Pareis Gorge, must be one of the island’s most dramatic landscapes and is one of Mallorca’s two Natural Monuments. Friends of ours wanted to go there for a walk yesterday and were most surprised when we told them that it would be well worth visiting but would, indeed, be a very testing hike or trek, and not to be underestimated. We advised them not to overestimate their skills and rather enter the canyon from the seaside, trying to get up into the gorge as far as they could and to turn back when the going got too tough.
Luckily, our friends heeded our advice and set off with sturdy walking boots, a plentiful supply of water, the mobile phone charged up and a digital camera for the scenic views en route. They went through Inca and admired the drive up past the terraced landscape of the Tramuntana mountains, turned left on top in the direction of Sóller and turned right past the aqueduct in the direction of Sa Calobra. They were most impressed by the 12 km long serpentine route and by the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea when they got down to Sa Calobra. They found the beach, had a swim, walked to the mouth of the canyon and began the hike. The trek was far from an easy Sunday afternoon stroll but, was just this side of too demanding. After about an hour the path was blocked by some boulders of perhaps 3 metres in height and they decided that it was time to head back. I am glad they did. They went back for another refreshing swim in the gorgeous sea before they headed back for Inca where they treated themselves to some excellent fish (Cap Roig [scorpion fish], at 50 € per kg).
When they returned home they stated categorically that they wanted to live here as well. They had seen Mallorca at its best.
The photo (top) was chosen from my archive. It was taken near Escorca, Mallorca, Baleares, Spain. The date: July 7th, 2008. The time was 15:58:08. The photo (bottom) was borrowed from the Internet, courtesy of flickr.com and Guacamoliest.
Thank you very much.
The Mallorca Photo Blog 
Sa Calobra Canyon looks a great place to visit. Thanks for sharing.
Fancy going again soon after reading your post. Lovely photos.
Must say, I can’t blame them! After many visits, I still daydream of living in Mallorca!
Wow, the times my wife and i have been to Mallorca and did not know about sa calobra canyon. This will be a must do when we are next on Mallorca. I have been trying to talk my wife into us selling up and moving to Mallorca for a long time, but wont think about it, even tho she looks at it has coming home when we fly in, for our two weeks of relaxation and sunshine. Ah well i can keep trying? lol
Really glad your friends listened to your advice about the nature of the hike.
A lot of people are surprised to find how challenging the walks – particularly in the Tramuntana – are, and go out unprepared. Friends of ours who are accostomed to hill-walking in the UK got seriously and dangerously lost once on a walk to Mortitix, that they were following from a guide book. Even though it wasn’t their first visit to Mallorca, mentally they were in ‘holiday’ mode and went out without a mobile phone, no water, wearing shorts and ordinary walking shoes. They almost ended up having to spend a night out in the mountains and were very shaken by the experience, realising they could have perished and willingly admitting afterwards they had acted with complete madness. A cauationary tale!
Looks beautiful! Surprised not to see any people in the photo, you would think the place would be so popular that there would always be people there 🙂
There are always people in Mallorca, always lots of people. But there are always corners and moments when you can be on your own, with no-one around.