Castell d'Alaró from Es Verger

The walk starts at the car park by the Es Verger restaurant, at the end of a narrow road above the village of Alaró. A track and path climb through the holm oaks to the Pla des Pouet, a saddle where the path from Orient comes in. From there the stone-paved mule path zigzags up under the cliffs, through the castle's gate and its keep, the Torre de l'Homenatge, onto the summit plateau, and across it to the chapel and pilgrims' hostel at 822 m. Return the same way.

It is 4.6 km there and back with 240 m of climbing; allow about 2 hours. The grade is Easy: short and well made, steep only at the top.

The castle held out for more than eight years against the conquest of 902, and its chapel dates from 1622. The plateau is ringed by cliffs with no fences: keep children close.

The road up to Es Verger is public but narrow and rough, with many tight bends, and is unsuitable for large vehicles. Many walkers start from Alaró village instead, which makes a much longer day on the same road and paths. There is little shade above the oaks: carry water in summer.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.