The Puig de Sant Martí is a mountain situated on the island of Mallorca. It is one of the island’s most notable elevations and has two summits: one at 249 metres, with telecommunication towers, and another at 268 metres above sea-level.
It’s worth a visit for its natural beauty and panoramic views. To do so, you must go to Alcúdia, and from there you can begin the route towards the peak on foot or by bike. In addition, it is a very popular area for paragliding and hang-gliding.
Unforgettable panoramic views from El Puig de Sant Martí
From the top of the Puig de Sant Martí, you will be able to take in views of the Mediterranean sea stretching towards the horizon. Depending on conditions, you may be able to admire the different shades of blue in the sea. What’s more, on clear days, you’ll even be able to see some nearby islands, like Menorca.
Whatever the conditions, it is an ideal spot for admiring the Mallorcan coast. It is diverse and offers a mix of sandy beaches, rocky coves, cliffs and small coastal villages that make up this beautiful landscape.
Once you’ve reached the top, if you turn to face inland, you can enjoy views of the impressive Tramuntana mountains. This mountain range, declared a UNESCO world heritage site, offers majestic mountain landscapes.
Below the mountain in the valleys, you will see crops of olives, almonds and vineyards. These plantations change colour according to the season, making it worth a visit all year round.
Furthermore, if you enjoy taking in views of sunrise or sunset, this is an ideal spot to do so.
Hiking the Puig de San Martí
The foothill of this mountain is covered by a thick pine forest. However, as you ascend, the tall trees give way to shrubs. To reach the top, you must follow the Camí Vell de Can Vauma route and head towards the San Martí cave, which is linked to the first Christian religions. You will see this on a signpost.
Shortly after beginning the ascent, you must take a nice path to the right until you reach a junction where you will see a notice telling you the direction to follow for Camí del Canal Bubot. A bit further ahead, you will meet another fork in the path. You will need to choose the trail to the right, as you now face a much steeper slope.
It is an easy route that you can even do with kids. You should be aware, however, that there isn’t much shade to take cover under if it’s very warm. Therefore, it is fundamental you bring water or you wait for temperatures to go down before setting out.
What is there to see on the Puig de San Martí?
As you ascend the mountain, you will probably come across forests of oak and Mediterranean pine, such as Aleppo pine. These trees can withstand drought and are well adapted to the Mediterranean climate.
You will also come across garrigue, a term used to describe typical Mediterranean scrubland. It includes a mix of shrubs, such as mastic, rosemary, thyme, lavender and other aromatic plants that can withstand high temperatures. Garrigue often emits intense fragrances, especially during the warmer months. Likewise, it is the perfect place to get to know the species endemic to Mallorca.
Fauna
On the other hand, the Puig de Sant Martí is home to a wide variety of animals. Although the fauna in this mountain can be diverse. keep in mind that it is not as abundant nor varied as that of continental areas due to the geographic limitations of the island.
Some that stand out are the birds of prey, such as the peregrine falcon, the booted eagle and the American kestrel. You can even enjoy the singing of blackbirds, great tits and robins. There are also non-venomous snakes, such as the horseshoe whip snake, an invasive species and, if you’re lucky, you may even spot a Lilford’s wall lizard. This is a native species to the island.
As for mammals, they are harder to spot due to the dense vegetation and mountainous terrain. Worth highlighting are the common hedgehog, the greater horseshoe bat and the common genet. Additionally, there are populations of wild goats or boc balear, descendants of the domestic goats first brought to the island.
To round it off, we bring your attention to the many butterflies of Mallorca. At the top of Sant Martí, you may spot the plain tiger butterfly, among others.
Visit El Puig de Sant Martí
Without a doubt, the Puig de Sant Martí and its surrounding areas offer many chances to observe Mediterranean flora and fauna in an unbeatable natural environment. Likewise, there are many hiking routes to get to know the biodiversity and take in the wonderful views from its summit. If you’d like to get to know this spectacular landscape, we recommend staying in Alcúdia. At Ideal Property Mallorca, we offer holiday accommodation so you can enjoy spots like these. Book now!
