You may have spotted it from the winding road between Valldemossa and Deià. The jagged towers of the Mirador de ses Puntes that rise dramatically above the cliffs. Almost unreal, almost unreachable. How could anyone possibly get up there? The answer is as intriguing as the view itself, because reaching this iconic lookout requires a special permit to cross the protected landscape of the Muntanya del Voltor. A worthwhile destination in itself but also a great starting point for hiking the Camí de s’Arxiduc.

Through Holm Oak Forests

Once you have passed the checkpoint at the entrance to the private finca, the trail immediately draws you in. It climbs steadily through open holm oak forest. Passing old charcoal platforms and small clearings that feel strangely enchanted.

As if time itself had slowed. Before long, the forest thins, the coast appears below, and you have a clear view of the steep rock face where the Mirador awaits you.

Mirador de ses Puntes

At the Mirador de ses Puntes, the reward is immediate and overwhelming. The view stretches effortlessly toward Can Costa, while the rugged coastline unfurls below in a dizzying display of rock and sea. To the south, the Serra de Tramuntana rolls away in layered ridges.

This view point is one of those rare places where silence feels complete, broken only by wind and the distant sound of a waterfall, which is flowing again after many days of rain.

Two Coasts at Your Feet

From the Mirador, you turn northward, and soon you reach a survey pillar. An unassuming marker that nevertheless commands astonishing views. Suddenly, the entire bay of Palma lies at your feet, shimmering in hazy Mediterranean backlight. Meanwhile, the city itself appears far away, reminding you just how deeply you are immersed in the mountains.

Along the Archduke’s Path 

The route continues through the characteristic karst landscape with its light-colored, sometimes almost white stone. You pass the Caseta de s’Arxiduc from where you can already see the vertical rock face rising ahead. Signaling the dramatic terrain you are about to enter. After crossing a small forested dip, the trail climbs again beyond a cove, the Cova de s’Ermita Guiem, drawing you closer and closer to the exposed cliffs.

Fog, Cliffs, and the Wild Beauty of the Tramuntana

Then, almost without warning, mist rolls in. Fog drifts across the ridge line, adding a theatrical edge to an already breathtaking setting. At times, the Archduke’s bridle path runs alarmingly close to the drop-off. Which means that for hiking the Camí de s’Arxiduc extra caution is essential in strong winds or poor visibility. Yet today, sun and clouds take turns, transforming the hike into a constantly shifting adventure. 

Puig Caragolí: Sweeping Views from the Summit

Finally, the rocky summit of Caragolí appears. Sheltered from the wind on one side, it offers the perfect spot for a picnic, with sweeping views into the bay of Sóller and across to the imposing Puig Major.

A Gentle Return to Valldemossa via Ses Basses

Afterward, the trail grants you one last gift. The vast, seemingly endless openness of the Tramuntana plateau. Slowly, however, the descent begins. Step by step, the landscape softens, leading you back into welcoming holm oak forest. Eventually, the path delivers you gently to Ses Basses, and from there, back to the streets of Valldemossa.

Duration & Elevation: ~5 h, ~750 m gain.

Permission: To obtain access permission, please text Associació Muntanya del Voltor at +34 619 591 985 or email info@muntanyadelvoltor.com. Muntanya del Voltor represents a new, forward-looking model of land stewardship in the Serra de Tramuntana.

Spanning around 300 hectares and uniting the estates of Can Costa, Son Moragues, Son Gual, and Son Gual Petit, the project brings landowners, hikers, and local stakeholders together under a shared conservation strategy. Created to counter abandonment and the impact of mass tourism, it carefully balances nature restoration, cultural heritage, and controlled public access. Showing how Mallorca’s protected landscapes can be preserved while still being experienced.

Read more about the best Tramuntana hikes, here.