From Son Servera to Artà via the Jordana pass

The Pla i Llevant region of Mallorca invites you to explore its rich and fascinating cultural landscape. Its natural heritage is undeniable and equally important, but the imprint of humanity throughout the centuries on every corner is an essential added value for any true hiker. This week's route connects the towns of Son Servera and Artà. This variant of the GR 222 trail leads us to the Levante Peninsula Natural Park, following an old path that links Son Servera and Artà via the Jordana pass. The route crosses, among other areas, the estates of Son Xerubí, Jordana, and Estelrica, and traverses an agricultural zone far removed from typical coastal landscapes, dominated by pastureland, centuries-old olive groves, scattered holm oaks, and extensive scrubland used for hunting. The hike can become a comfortable and pleasant stroll through the inland landscapes of the Levante region, with its gentle hills and low mountains. To make it a loop, we can return along the Manacor-Artà greenway. Of the 29 kilometers, we will cover 10, from Artà to Son Servera. If we prefer to use public transport, there are two bus lines: L-412 (Costa dels Pins-Manacor) and L-424 (Cala Rajada-Portocristo). If we are coming from Palma or anywhere else on the island outside the Levante region, we must change buses in Manacor. The starting point of the route is the Plaza de San Juan in Son Servera.

[00 min] Before we set off, let's take a look around. The Church of San Juan Bautista is the twin of the village of Son Servera. It was built on the former estate of Son Fra Garí, the nickname of its owner in the early 16th century, Sebastià Servera i Tous. Evidence of this can be seen in the battlements of an old defensive tower that protrude behind the bell tower. The first inhabitants of the village settled around it. In the church square, we can admire the sculpture of the Pastoret, erected in homage to the victims of the 1820 plague. Very close by is the Nova Church, dating from 1904. This unfinished work was commissioned to the Catalan architect Joan Rubió i Bellver.

Now we can begin our walk, heading west along Pere Antoni Servera Street. We then pass through Punteta Street and continue along Sant Salvador Street. We reach a roundabout [10 min], where we turn right (Ma-4040) towards Cala Rajada. We can cross the road at a pedestrian crossing that appears suddenly, which will give us easier access to the Son Pentinat path. Before reaching it, we walk about 400 meters along the aforementioned road until we reach Son Comparet on our right. [15 min] Here we turn left and then right, continuing our walk, now heading northeast, towards Son Xerubí along the Son Pentinat path. To our right, we begin to enjoy splendid views of the surrounding area and, further on, the sea and the Old Port.

We cross the Xiclati stream [30 min]. Declared a site of scenic interest, it is the most important stream in the municipality of Son Servera. The stream takes its name from the estate where it originates, which was an Islamic farmhouse recorded in the Cast Book (1232). This is the Alxicrati farmstead, of four jovadas, which belonged to Bernat de Pavia (source: toponimiamallorca.netWe skirt the holm oak grove, first, and then the olive grove of Son Xerubí, just as the path forks and we continue on foot along the track that climbs to the left of Picot. [40 min] Documented in the 14th century, Son Xerubí owes its name to one of its first owners, Xerafí Nebot. It has a defensive tower, revealing its strategic position and command over the territory. Here the asphalt ends and a beautiful dirt track begins. If we look to our left, we will see the houses of Son Gener and, in the distance, Mount Les Fites (349 m), so named because three municipalities converge on its summit: Son Servera, Artà, and Sant Llorenç des Cardassar. This area is of great scenic beauty, with excellent views.

Forestry architecture

The path we're following now turns right and we cross a track. We come to a first gate [1 hr 00 min], where the first wooden signs of an old Son Servera Town Hall sign appear. We enter the Jordana estate. The path runs through a shady, wooded area. [1 hr 05 min] A second gate and we begin a short climb to the Jordana pass, which marks the boundary between Son Servera and Artà. [1 hr 30 min] We take the paved road, initially heading northeast; this is the Estelrica road. From now on, the town of Artà dominates the landscape, becoming more prominent as we approach the town, with the Santa Maria de Bellpuig monastery on the left, one of the best-preserved examples of what is known as afforestation architecture, and the Talayotic settlement of Ses Païsses on the right.

[1 hr 55 min] The Estelrica path overlooks the old city road, very close to the Revolts stream, which we cross shortly before arriving in Artà [2 hr 05 min], after a short climb among old mills. One of the town's most emblematic sites is undoubtedly the sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin of San Salvador, its patron saint. The fortress, known as Almudaina, dates back to the medieval Muslim period. After the Catalan conquest of Mallorca in 1229, the site was replaced by a church, which was renovated and enlarged in the 19th century. The wall was rebuilt in the 16th century to offer better protection to the population during pirate raids. The last renovation took place in 1971.

We will return to Son Servera via the greenway, which we find right at the entrance to Artà. After a mandatory visit to the village and a well-deserved rest, we continue our walk along the old railway line. The path leads us on a long and scenic loop that takes us first to the Artà cemetery and then to several recreational areas. [2 h 40 min] The greenway climbs, skirting the holm oak forest of Son Catiu on the right, a pleasant stretch offering good views. We leave the Gulf of Pula to our left [3 h 15 min], with Mount Son Pentinat to our right. Step by step, we reach the old Son Servera station [4 h 20 min], where our walk ends.

@Fita_a_Fita