Puig de Massanella
1,364 m
Spain
Also known as Masanella, Pico de MasanellaAlso known as
Masanella · Pico de Masanella
- Elevation
- 1,364 m
- Prominence
- 598 m
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Mountain hike
- Best Season
- Mar–May
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: High difficulty (Escorca tourism (visitescorca.com))
The classic ascent of Mallorca's highest freely accessible summit: from the Coll de sa Batalla (576 m) on the Inca–Lluc road, a track through the private Comafreda estate (entry fee) to the Coll de sa Línia, the old snow-collectors' path to the Pla de sa Neu, and rough, rocky ground past the Font de s'Avenc to the top. About 800 m of ascent and 5 hours return.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 6.8 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,120 m
- −337 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 1,364 m
- Time Up
- 5h 16m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 4h 13m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Start at the Coll de sa Batalla (576 m) on the Caimari–Lluc road (Ma-2130), where there is a bar-restaurant; an information panel stands at km 14.8. A wide track leads to the gate of the Comafreda estate, where a fee is collected for crossing the private land, and climbs through woodland to the Coll de sa Línia (also Coll de Mancor, 824 m). Stone markers point to Mancor, Lluc and the summit; nearby is the Casa de Neu Major, the lowest of the massif's old snow houses. From the col the old camí dels nevaters (snow-collectors' path) climbs to the Pla de sa Neu (about 1,193 m) with more snow pits. A marker shows two ways up: the right branch follows the old path most directly to the summit; the left branch passes the Font de s'Avenc, a spring in a small cave, then climbs increasingly rocky, steep ground with some hands-on moves to the top (1,364 m). The upper part is bare limestone and confusing in cloud; turn back if fog comes in. Descend the same way, or along the ridge to the south-west shoulder and the Coll des Prat (1,205 m) on the GR 221, with a few short scrambles, and back down the stony valley past the snow houses to Comafreda. Allow about 5 hours for the round trip.
Start
Coll de sa Batalla581 m
- TIB buses stop at the Coll de sa Batalla (Es Guix) on the Inca–Lluc road; Escorca tourism notes a bus from Palma. Check current timetables.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coll de sa Batalla → Puig de Massanella | 6.8 | 1,120 | 337 | 5h 16m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Coll de sa Batalla581 m
- Feature: Comafreda1,035 m
Estate gate where the access fee is paid
- Col: Coll de sa Línia830 m
- Feature: Pla de sa Neu1,193 m
- Waypoint: Font de s'Avenc1,128 m
Spring in a small cave
- Summit: Puig de Massanella1,364 m
Key Passages
- Comafreda estate gate (fee)
- Coll de sa Línia and the snow-collectors' path
- Rocky, steep ground above the Font de s'Avenc
Equipment
0/6 packedDownloads
Route confidence 68%Overview
At 1,364 m the second-highest mountain of Mallorca and the highest that walkers can climb freely, since Puig Major's summit is a military base. A rough, rocky ascent from the Coll de sa Batalla near Lluc passes old snow houses and a cave spring.
Puig de Massanella stands in the Serra de Tramuntana above Lluc and the Gorg Blau gorge, in the municipality of Escorca. Its upper slopes are bare limestone rising above woodland. Because the summit of Puig Major, the island's highest point, is a closed military zone, Massanella is the highest summit in the Balearic Islands open to the public and one of Mallorca's most popular mountain walks.
The mountain was once a source of ice: snow collected in winter was packed into stone snow houses (cases de neu) on the Pla de sa Neu and around the Coll de sa Línia and carried down to the towns, and the old snow-collectors' path still leads to the top. The Font de s'Avenc, a spring inside a small cave, lies just below the summit slopes.
The usual approach from the east crosses the private Comafreda estate, which charges a small access fee. Western approaches from the Cúber and Gorg Blau reservoirs and from near Lluc avoid the estate but are longer and finish with a short, easy climb.
Climbing Notes
A demanding day walk: about 800 m of ascent and 5 hours return on tracks, old stone paths and rough limestone with short scrambles. Good boots and sure footing matter more than fitness. Carry cash for the Comafreda fee, at least 1.5 litres of water and sun protection; there is little shade above the woods.
The summit area is confusing in cloud, and the rock is slippery when wet; in fog, turn back at the Font de s'Avenc. Best from October to May; summer days are hot, so start early. Snow is rare but possible on the top in winter.
Season
Best Mar–May- January: Good
- February: Good
- March: Best (best window)
- April: Best (best window)
- May: Best (best window)
- June: Good
- July: Possible
- August: Possible
- September: Good
- October: Best
- November: Best
- December: Good
- Jan
- Cool; occasional snow or ice on top
- Feb
- Cool; occasional snow
- Jun
- Hot; start early
- Jul
- Hot, little shade above the woods
- Aug
- Hot, little shade above the woods
- Sep
- Still warm; storms possible
- Dec
- Short days; cold wind on top
Access & Permits
- Fees
- Comafreda estate access fee, paid at the gate (EUR 4–6 per person reported; check the official Puig de Massanella website for current prices)
- Rules
- The eastern approach crosses the private Comafreda estate; pay the fee and stay on the path
- Getting There
Lluc (sanctuary); Caimari and Inca
Palma de Mallorca (PMI)
- Car: Ma-13 to Inca, then the Ma-2130 via Caimari towards Lluc to the Coll de sa Batalla (Es Guix)
- Bus: TIB stops 'Coll de sa Batalla (Es Guix)' on the Inca–Lluc road; a bus runs from Palma (check current timetables)
Hazards
- Weather