Of all the walks around Pollenca, the walk up Puig de Santuiri is perhaps not the most exciting one to complete, or the highest, or the prettiest. In saying that though, it is interesting in its own right, provides good views from its modest summit and is well worthy of a couple of hours of your time.
I was staying in a villa on the outskirts of Pollenca when I completed this walk so walked there and approached it from the North side which is opposite to the usual starting point at the car park. This gave me the idea though of circumnavigating the whole hill rather than just climbing to the summit.
The walk started rather unpromisingly from an industrial estate but I soon left this and entered the woodland that surrounds the Puig De Santuiri. I set off anti-clockwise following the pleasant woodland path that goes around the Puig. The sound of birdsong and the sun dappling through the branches of the trees accompanied me as I walked around the base of the hill to the car park at the far side where the summit path starts.
From the car park there is a well signposted path that winds its way upwards through the trees, bushes and scrub all the way to the top of the hill.
The summit itself is surprisingly interesting. At 141 metres it is far from high but it’s relatively isolated position means the views are quite extensive. There is an arrow sign ‘Miridor’ which leads you to a wooden platform which provides a good lookout across to Port de Pollenca and its bay. Beyond are the arêtes of the Formentor peninsula and the curve of the bay can be followed all the way to Alcudia.
In the opposite direction the sun baked stone buildings of Pollenca town can be seen through the trees and the twin churches of the Santa Maria dels Angels and Esglesias de Montes-Sion stand out prominently as the largest buildings. To the south is the much higher Puig de Maria with its monastery on top (you can read about my walk up Puig de Maria Here).
On the summit there is a fenced off sink hole or ‘avenc’ as it is known locally. This is essentially a vertical drop into an underground cave. It is signposted and has a wooden fence that looks like it’s about to fall down around it but it would be wise to steer clear of the drop to avoid any accidents.
Having admired the view in the morning sunshine I traced my way back down to the car park and continued my anti clockwise walk around the Puig through the forest, grateful for the shade of the trees after the exposed summit. Before long I was back at my start point and then it was back to the villa to enjoy a dip in the pool.
For a map, route details and picture gallery of this walk please click on ‘Learn more’ below
