GR222 Trail from Son Serra de Marina to Colonia de Sant Pere

This 5km stretch of the trail takes 90 minutes to walk, it is flat of gradient and runs along well marked rocky paths and a sandy stretch of beach and sand dunes with a view of the hills of Cap Ferrutx on one side and Cap des Pinar on the other.

If you start your hike in Son Serra de Marina, the trail is easily signposted throughout the town taking you along the waterfront promenade to Son Serra de Marina beach and then onto the stunning 2km stretch of undisturbed beach that is Playa de Sa Canova. This beach and it’s dunes have been protected areas since 1991 and are well worth the walk to see their untouched golden sand and selection of indigenous trees and vegetation.

You have an option of walking along the beach, where you can stop for a swim and cool off your hot feet, or you can hike into the dunes and follow the well marked trails to the end of the beach. Both options involve walking through soft sand and purely because of this shifting terrain these 2 kilometres are most arduous of the trail.

You need not choose only one path though, as stationed along the beach are several wooden walkways leading over the protected areas of the sand dunes, so you can choose to abandon the trail midway and take a walkway onto the beach or vice versa, the two options converge at the end of the sand.

Once you’ve passed the beach you’ll find yourself on a solid rocky trail, still well sign posted which will lead you around the little headland of S’Estanyol where you will find a restaurant adjacent to the trail if you wish to stop for refreshment. From there the walk will take you past a parade of privately owned villas dotted along the edge of the coast, some of which are guaranteed to give you accommodation envy. In front of them the coastline is made up of tiny rocky inlets and coves where you’ll find the occasional lucky inhabitant of these villas swimming, snorkelling or fishing.

The only sandy beach you’ll pass is tiny, often deserted Playa Cala Tono, another option to break for a paddle or to sit for a picnic or water break. From there you’re heading into the town of Colonia de Sant Pere, once a farming and fishing village it now plays host to quietly vacationing Mallorcans and a few tourists looking for a break from resort towns. Here you can visit the main beach, wander around the small marina and fishing port and you’ll also find some great restaurants specialising in fresh seafood.

If you wish to extend this walk you can do so by adding in the 6 km stretch of GR222, which connects Son Serra de Marina to Son Baulo, this will add another 90 minutes of coastal walking to your day. Heading on from Sant Pere is at the moment not possible along marked GR222 as that section yet to be completed.

Getting to and from this area to access the trail if you’re not staying here is easiest at the Son Serra de Marina end where a bus connects the town with Ca’n Picafort and Son Baulo four times a day. There is also a bus connecting Colonia de Sant Pere with Arta the nearest big town, however it is a taxi bus which you must call to request the day before.