© OpenStreetMap · Protomaps · Terrain © Copernicus GLO-30

Explorepeaks.fyi

Puig Major

1,436 m

Spain

Also known as Puig Mayor, Пуч-Майор

Puig Mayor · Пуч-Майор

Elevation
1,436 m
Prominence
1,436 m
Difficulty
1/10
Easy walk
Best Season
Sep–Nov
Routes
0

  • Summit not accessible

    The summit is a military air-surveillance base; there is no public access beyond its gate.

    ultimahora.es

  • NoticeReported 19 Jan 2021

    The Ministry of Defence stated in a written reply to the Senate that no public access to the military zone and summit of Puig Major is planned; access only with prior authorisation.

    ultimahora.es

Overview

Mallorca's highest mountain (1,436 m today, 1,445 m before its top was levelled for a radar), in the Serra de Tramuntana. The summit is a military air-surveillance station: access only with prior authorisation, and the nearby Penyal des Migdia (1,398 m) is the usual hikers' alternative.

Puig Major rises above the Gorg Blau and Cúber reservoirs in the heart of the Serra de Tramuntana, in the municipality of Escorca. It is a massive limestone mountain with steep cliffs on its flanks and a long ridge to the south-west carrying the Penyal des Migdia. As the island's high point its prominence equals its height, and on clear days it overlooks most of Mallorca and the sea on both sides.

The summit is not a public mountain. The United States built a radar station on it in 1957–1959, blasting off the top nine metres; it was operated by the USAF until 1993 and is now the Spanish Air and Space Force's Air Surveillance Station No. 7, declared of interest for national defence. Its radar dome ('ses Bolles', a single larger sphere since 2005) is visible across the island. In 2021 the Ministry of Defence ruled out general public access, though authorised visits and some sporting events, such as a cycling ascent to the radar dome, have been allowed.

For hikers, the main objectives are the Penyal des Migdia, the highest summit that can be climbed without a permit, and the Morro d'en Pelut to the north; both traditional routes partly cross the military zone. Historic snow pits (cases de neu) survive in the Coma de n'Arbona below the Penyal des Migdia.

Climbing Notes

To reach the summit you need written authorisation from the EVA-7 base for a specific day; contact the base well in advance (+34 971 637 030 was the number given in 2013). The ascent on the military road is an easy walk of under 2 hours.

Without a permit, the Penyal des Migdia (1,398 m) from km 38 of the Ma-10 is a 4½-hour, 650 m outing on pathless, thorny grass and an exposed ridge with easy scrambling; it is for experienced walkers with map and GPS, and should be avoided in fog. Wear long trousers and carry water. Respect signs at the military boundary. The best seasons are autumn and spring; summer is hot, and winter can bring snow and ice to the upper slopes.

History

The US Army built the base, the road from Sóller with the Monnàber tunnel and a reservoir between 1957 and 1959 on 6.2 hectares of the Son Torrella estate; the summit was lowered by about 9 m for the radar. The station was used by the USAF 880th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron until 1993, and signals confirming Apollo 11's safe Moon landing were relayed through it. In 2005 the two original radar spheres were replaced by a single larger dome.

Season

Best Sep–Nov
  1. January: Possible
  2. February: Possible
  3. March: Good
  4. April: Best
  5. May: Best
  6. June: Good
  7. July: Possible
  8. August: Possible
  9. September: Best (best window)
  10. October: Best (best window)
  11. November: Best (best window)
  12. December: Good
Jan
Cold; occasional snow and ice on the upper mountain
Feb
Cold; occasional snow
Jun
Getting hot; start early
Jul
Hot and exposed
Aug
Hot and exposed
Dec
Short days; cold wind on the ridges

Access & Permits

Permits
  • EVA-7 Puig Mayor visit authorisationRequired

    The summit is a military zone (Estación de Vigilancia Aérea nº 7). Entry is only possible with prior authorisation from the base, valid for a specific day. Defence stated in 2021 that general public access is not planned.

Rules
  • Military zone of interest for national defence on the summit and the access road; no entry without authorisation
  • The military road to the summit is closed to public traffic
  • Dogs are prohibited on the Penyal des Migdia approach (signed); big-game hunting signs on the approaches
Getting There

Sóller; Fornalutx

Palma de Mallorca (PMI)

  • Car: Ma-10 from Sóller towards Lluc; the base gate is near the Cúber and Gorg Blau reservoirs; roadside parking at km 38 for the Penyal des Migdia, and a car park at the Cúber reservoir
  • Bus: OSM maps stops at Cúber and 'Base militar del Puig Major' on the Ma-10; check current TIB timetables

Hazards

  • Exposure
  • Weather