In short
The Serra de Tramuntana is the mountain range along Mallorca's north-west coast, a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape since 2011. The Ma-10 crosses it for around 110 km from Andratx to Pollença: allow two days to enjoy the villages without rushing. The roads are narrow and winding but fine for a compact camper van if you set off early, use low gears downhill and share the road patiently with cyclists.
Driving the Ma-10 with a camper van
- Start early: from late morning, tour buses and rental cars fill the viewpoints and village car parks.
- Brake with the engine on long descents (second or third gear) to keep the brakes cool. Our van has a manual gearbox.
- Expect many cyclists, especially in spring and autumn. Overtake only with clear visibility and leave at least 1.5 m, as Spanish law requires.
- Fill up in Andratx, Sóller or Pollença: there are very few petrol stations along the mountain road.
- Use the car parks at the entrance of villages; old-town streets are too narrow for vans.
Day 1: Andratx to Sóller
About 60 km of coastal road with the most dramatic sea views on the island.
- Estellencs and Banyalbufar: stone villages above terraces that drop to the sea. Stop at the Mirador de ses Ànimes watchtower.
- Valldemossa: the Carthusian monastery where Chopin and George Sand spent the winter of 1838–39. Use the paid car parks at the village entrance.
- Deià: the hillside village of the poet Robert Graves, with a footpath down to Cala Deià.
- Sa Foradada viewpoint at Son Marroig: the classic sunset spot over the pierced rock.
- Sóller and Port de Sóller: orange groves, a lively main square and a historic wooden tram between town and port.
Day 2: Sóller to Pollença
The road climbs into the high mountains, past the highest peaks of the island.
- Fornalutx: often listed among the prettiest villages in Spain, a short detour from Sóller.
- Mirador de ses Barques: a viewpoint over the Sóller valley and its port.
- Cúber and Gorg Blau reservoirs: mountain lakes below Puig Major (1,445 m), the highest peak in Mallorca.
- Sa Calobra: a side road of about 12 km with hairpins and the famous "knot" (Nus de sa Corbata), down to the mouth of the Torrent de Pareis gorge. Drive it before 10 am or after 4 pm to avoid the tour buses.
- Lluc: the island's main monastery and pilgrimage site, surrounded by hiking trails.
- Pollença: the 365 steps of the Calvari and a good base for Cap de Formentor.
Where to sleep in the Tramuntana
Wild camping is forbidden and overnight parking is enforced in the mountains. There are few campsites in the range, so plan ahead: our overnight spots guide lists legal options, including an eco-camping near Estellencs and the car park next to the Lluc refuge.
Hiking from the van
The GR 221, known as the Dry Stone Route, crosses the whole range in stages between mountain refuges. For day hikes, try the Archduke's Path above Valldemossa, the old path from Sóller to Deià, or a short walk into the mouth of the Torrent de Pareis from Sa Calobra.
When to go
- Spring (March to May): green slopes, orange and almond blossom, and many cyclists.
- Summer: hot and busy. Drive early and keep the afternoons for the sea.
- Autumn (September to November): warm sea and fewer people, with possible storms in October and November.
- Winter: quiet and mild on the coast, colder on the passes. See our winter guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can you drive the Ma-10 in a camper van?
Yes. The Ma-10 is narrow and winding but used every day by vans and buses. A compact camper van handles it well if you drive calmly, avoid the late-morning rush and park only in proper car parks.
Is the road to Sa Calobra suitable for a camper van?
It is steep with tight hairpins, but drivable in a compact van with care. Go before 10 am or after 4 pm, when the tour buses are gone, and use low gears both down and back up.
How many days do you need for the Serra de Tramuntana?
Two days is the minimum to drive the Ma-10 and visit the main villages; plan three or four if you want to hike.
Can I sleep in the van in the Tramuntana?
Only at authorised places: campsites, official areas or legal parking such as the car park next to the Lluc refuge. Wild camping and overnight stays at viewpoints or beach car parks are fined.
Keep planning
Drive the Tramuntana in your own camper van
Fully-equipped camper van for 2 adults + 1 baby, pickup in Palma.