What is it?
Des Güell a Lluc a peu (on foot) is the most famous night walk in Mallorca, connecting Plaça Güell (Palma) with the Monasterio de Lluc, covering between 46 and 48 km along the road through the Serra de Tramuntana. Each year, thousands of hikers take on this unique challenge, which combines tradition, personal achievement, and a festive atmosphere.
History of Des Güell a Lluc a peu
Every first Saturday of August, thousands of people — families, friends, hiking groups, and pilgrims — set off from Palma (Plaça Güell) and walk nearly 50 km through the Serra de Tramuntana until they reach the Monasterio de Lluc. The atmosphere is unique: headlamps lighting up the road, laughter, locals offering fruit or water, music, and the special silence of walking through the mountains at night.
It began in 1974, when a group of friends made the walk as a promise after what they considered a small miracle. Since then, it has become a tradition with enormous sentimental and cultural value for the people of Mallorca.
For the next five years, the march was held with hardly any increase in the number of participants. However, in 1980, thanks to the sponsorship of the Balearic savings bank Sa Nostra and an intense media campaign, the event experienced remarkable growth. Since then, the number of walkers has gradually increased each year, reaching the thousands who take part today.
On August 6, 1993, the “kilometer zero” was inaugurated in front of the old Bar Güell, in a ceremony attended by the King and Queen of Spain, who gave the official start signal. From that moment on, the march was firmly established as the most popular in Mallorca.
Currently, the march Des Güell a Lluc a peu brings together more than 10,000 people every year, making it the largest popular and traditional event on the island. Many take part out of faith or to fulfill a promise, others for the sporting challenge, and still others simply to experience that unique feeling of sharing the journey, the night, and the arrival at Lluc at dawn.
Dates and Times
- 2025: it will take place on the first Saturday of August, August 2.
- Start: 11 p.m. from Plaça Güell, Mallorca.
- Duration: between 8 and 13 hours, arriving at dawn (between 6 and 11 a.m.).
Registration
- Fee: €10 per participant; includes bib number, certificate, and eco bottles (refillable aluminum/plastic).
Registration: through the official Grup Güell website or at in-person points in Palma on the morning of the event.
Tip: don’t wait until the last minute to register, as queues may form. The maximum number of participants is 4,750.
Rules: you can consult the full regulations and legal notice on their website.
Route of Des Güell a Lluc a peu
The march Des Güell a Lluc a peu starts from Plaça Güell in Palma and covers about 48–50 km to the Monasterio de Lluc, passing through the Serra de Tramuntana.
It goes through Marratxí, Santa Maria, Consell, Binissalem, Lloseta, Biniamar, Selva, and Caimari, where the final ascent begins. You can check out the full route on Wikiloc by clicking here!
Palma: Starting point. At the beginning there’s a lively buzz — many take the opportunity to warm up and adjust their backpacks.
Marratxí: Just a few kilometers in, you start to enter the village atmosphere. Here, locals often come out with buckets of water and fruit for the walkers.
Santa Maria del Camí: This is one of the stretches where the group begins to spread out. The village often organizes music, or a DJ lifts the hikers’ spirits. The festive atmosphere here is very typical.
Consell and Binissalem: Flat areas, very pleasant thanks to the cool night temperatures. The vineyards in the area are iconic, although you can’t see much of them in the dark.
Lloseta and Biniamar: Here you’re already at the doorstep of the Tramuntana. Some take the chance to stop, hydrate well, or change socks. It’s a critical point because the first blisters often start appearing.
Selva: There are often stands with hot broth, fruit, and some sweets. Many groups gather here again before the big final climb.
Caimari: The official gateway to the Serra de Tramuntana. This is where the most physically demanding section begins, with a long, steady climb that tests both legs and mind.
Other routes starting from different villages
Although the classic route is Des Güell a Lluc from Palma, many groups and individuals choose to start from other points on the island to match their level or to experience it through different landscapes. In this way, there are traditional starts from:
For example:
- From Inca, many walk the last 20 km, joining in the lively night atmosphere but with a more moderate route.
- From Sa Pobla or Alcúdia, groups set off on routes that merge in Caimari or Selva, linking up with the main trail to climb to Lluc together.
- From Pollença, several groups organize a morning walk or even the reverse route, taking advantage of the town’s proximity to the monastery to arrive alongside the main crowd.
- In villages like Binissalem, Lloseta, Consell, or Santa Maria, families and local clubs choose to join as the march passes through, creating a contagious sense of celebration and camaraderie all along the way.
In this way, the walk to Lluc becomes an event open to everyone — from those seeking a major sporting challenge by doing the full 50 km from Palma, to those who prefer a more accessible night hike starting from nearby villages.
Practical tips for enjoying the walk
Doing the des Güell a Lluc a peu is not just walking: it means hours and kilometers through the night, with elevation changes and lots of excitement. To enjoy it to the fullest (and avoid mishaps or blisters), it’s best to prepare well. Here are some key tips:
- Footwear: wear shoes or boots that are already broken in, never new, to reduce the risk of blisters.
- Socks: bring an extra pair and change them halfway to keep your feet dry.
- Hydration: drink every 20–30 min even if you’re not thirsty. Plan for at least 2 l in your backpack.
- Food: nuts, bananas, or some energy bars are your best allies.
- Clothing: breathable, and if it gets cool, add a light layer for the final stretch.
- Vaseline or anti-chafing cream: apply it to your feet and inner thighs before setting off.
- Light: headlamp or flashlight with spare batteries. It’s your safety on the road. Very important!
- Before and after: do good stretching, and once you arrive, elevate your legs to improve circulation.
How to get back from the Monasterio de Lluc
After reaching the Monasterio de Lluc, many people rest and have breakfast. Then, there are free or special buses to Inca, where you can catch the train to Palma or anywhere else on the island. Always check the return schedules in advance on the Grup Güell website or on the Mallorca public transport site for lines like 231 or 312, among others. Some groups arrange their own private bus, which is very convenient.
Another option is to coordinate with friends or family to pick you up directly in Lluc, especially if you’re going in a group or plan to stay a while enjoying the surroundings.
If you want total peace of mind, many local clubs and associations hire private buses that leave at different times depending on when their group arrives. A comfortable way to end the experience!
Stay with Ideal Property Mallorca
Are you up for doing des Güell a Lluc a peu and looking for a special place to relax afterward? With Ideal Property Mallorca you can rent holiday homes in peaceful settings, many of them in the north of the island — perfect for unwinding after the challenge and continuing to enjoy Mallorca at your own pace.
These are ideal accommodations for groups of friends or families who want to live the full experience: take on the walk, return to a house with a pool, mountain views or gardens where you can stretch your legs, and enjoy the tranquility of the Mallorcan countryside.
Plus, you’ll have the entire island at your feet to keep exploring: from gentle cycling routes or activities in the Tramuntana, to visiting villages, local markets, and hidden coves. This way, your adventure doesn’t end when you reach Lluc — it continues every day. August in Mallorca offers endless plans!
Book with Ideal Property Mallorca and live your adventure your way!
Enjoy the walk, rest as you deserve, and discover all that Mallorca has to offer you.
