Mallorca Adventure Guide: Permits and environmental conversation

Most of the climbing done on Mallorca can be done without a permit. However, anyone engaging in outdoor activities should do their part in keeping our „playground“ as it is and leaving it even better. Fully knowing we are preaching to the choir here are a few best „leave no trace“ practices to follow:

  1. Take out a permit wherever necessary.
  2. Respect the local rules and any closures of climbing areas. Make an effort to figure out the rules as well.
  3. Stay on established trails if at all possible.
  4. Keep wild animals wild. This is especially true regarding the local bird population.
  5. Carry out any trash - even if it’s not yours.
  6. Leave what you find: Be it plants or rocks or else.

There are a few areas on the island that do need a permit to climb at. Namely the Tramuntana mountains (which naturally are home to many of the tours described in this guide).

Getting a permit is easy and does not cost you anything. The permits are on an individual basis and are valid for a year. There is an online permit process where you need to agree on the rules of behavior in the area affected and will be informed about which particular areas are closed for climbing (mainly due to birds nesting). Generally the closures are in the spring months and only affect a small number of areas.

The website for the permits is only available in Spanish (Castellano) and Catalán and can be found here: https://www.caib.es/sites/espaisnaturalsprotegits/es/como_solicitar_una_autorizacion-22089/

A word on crossing over private property: Most of the land on the island is owned privately. However most owners are okay with people crossing or even climbing. A few guidelines:

  1. Obey signage: If sight clearly states „private“, „keep out“ („privado“, „no pasar“) or similar try to find another way. Note that „coto privado de caza“ or „coto privado de setas“ does not mean keep out but merely private hunting or mushroom gathering grounds.
  2. Close the gates that you go through. People keep sheep and goats on their lands and want to keep them where they are.
  3. If you encounter somebody just be friendly and forthcoming with why you are there. A few basic words in Spanish will do!

For the tours in this book we will not make you break these general rules on respecting property to get to the climb. However use your own judgement!

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