Ses Fonts Ufanes: The Magic Fountains of Mallorca

These days, people head toward a unique natural spectacle on the island. Hikers in sturdy walking shoes, elderly locals in rubber boots, entire school classes chattering with excitement. Their path takes them through the green meadows of the Finca de Gabellí Petit, toward Ses Fonts Ufanes. It is an easy walk, but there are puddles all over and the ground is getting soaked. With every step the sound of water grows louder, promising something extraordinary ahead. Mallorcan legend has it that this is a mythical place where forest spirits and dones d’aigua, water fairies, bathed in the sunlight. And you can still imagine that today.

A Natural Spectacle

Soon, the route leads into a forest that seems almost enchanted. Tall holm oaks lean toward each other above green carpets of moss. As if Antoni Gaudí himself had designed their twisting forms. Meanwhile, filtered light dances across the ground, and the air smells of damp earth and leaves. Finally, you reach the source of the noise. And it is a source in the truest sense of the word.

Water Rising from Nowhere

Here at Ses Fonts Ufanes, water seems to burst straight out of the ground. With force. With drama. After several days of heavy rain water surges upward in wild streams, spreading across the forest floor. And this, remarkably, happens on an island with no rivers. No wonder everyone wants to witness it.

In fact, Ses Fonts Ufanes is officially recognized as a monument natural. The water originates high in the Tramuntana mountains, especially around Puig Tomir. It seeps underground, travels silently through limestone, and then, because it hits an impermeable layer, resurfaces here with sudden power.

So, what looks like magic is actually geology at its most impressive. The name Fonts Ufanes comes from the Catalan word ufanar, meaning to gush or surge. An apt description of this dramatic phenomenon.

Life Around the Springs

Around the springs, the atmosphere feels joyful and almost festive. Couples pose for selfies against the shimmering water. Families spread blankets and unpack picnics, while children hop across stones, laughing and testing the edges of the streams. Meanwhile, nature sets the rhythm, reminding everyone to slow down and simply watch.

Nearby, the visitor center offers context and calm. Here, information panels explain the hydrology, the protected status of the site, and the fragile balance that allows this spectacle to exist. Consequently, visitors leave not only impressed, but informed.

The Memory of the Forest

Beyond the fountains, attentive walkers notice circular clearings in the forest. These are old charcoal platforms, locally known as sitjas. For centuries, charcoal burners lived and worked here, slowly transforming holm oak wood into charcoal. They stayed for weeks at a time, carefully controlling low fires covered with earth.

These sites tell stories of hard labor and deep knowledge of the forest. Therefore, Ses Fonts Ufanes is not only a natural monument, but also a cultural landscape. Shaped by water, trees, and human endurance.

Flora, Fauna, and the Best Time to Visit

The surrounding forest hosts holm oaks, wild olive trees, ferns, and seasonal mushrooms. In spring, orchids appear along the path. Meanwhile, birdlife thrives: you may spot firecrests, great tits, or even a red kite circling above.

The best time to visit Ses Fonts Ufanes is late autumn through early spring, especially after heavy rainfall. In summer, the springs are usually dry. However, the forest walk remains beautiful year-round.

From Water Above to Water Below

If you wish to continue the experience, the Coves de Campanet lie just nearby. These caves feel like an underground cathedral, where water has shaped stalactites and stalagmites over millions of years. In contrast to the explosive energy of Ses Fonts Ufanes, the caves reveal water’s patient, artistic side.

Duration and Elevation: Open daily from 9-16 h. The circular walk across the finca and back toward the Ermita de Sant Miquel measures roughly 3 kilometers. It is well signposted, mostly flat, and suitable for families.