Mount Barca, discreet, but extremely decisive

PalmThe Barca mountain range might be described as unassuming, but it must be added, in its favor, that it is extremely effective. Easy to climb, its crags offer a splendid view of the Granja plateau and the Planícia plateau, above the Les Rotasses valley. The route we offer traces a different path through the highlands of the municipality of Banyalbufar, between the estates of Son Valentí, Ses Mosqueras, and Sa Granja. A feast for the senses, a true test for the legs.

The route

[00 min] We start walking from the Vent pass, between km 80 and 81 of the Ma-10, heading towards Esporles. We've barely taken our first steps when we pass the TIB bus stop (L-131 and L2022) on our right and then turn uphill along a wide dirt track. Heading south, we suddenly leave the track and continue ascending along a path that climbs through the hollow, quickly reaching a cart track at the foot of the whitish crags of La Talaieta [15 min].

Once on this track, we turn right and pass through a gate without a barrier. We soon emerge onto the Camino del Correo (GR 221) [20 min], at the point where the Camino de Les Rotasses begins. We followed the Dry Stone Route towards Esporles, reaching the Talaieta pass in a few minutes [25 min]. A stone marker in the middle of the path commemorates the legend of the death of King James's horse. A tall, strong, and powerful animal, but also kind, agile, and daring. To visit Talaieta, from the pass we turned left, facing the sea, and walked along the rocky outcrop to its far end [40 min].

Near the cliff and in the flatter areas, we discovered structures that could date back to the Andalusian period. The Talaieta settlement is located on the Ses Mosqueras estate, and the name of the hill where it stands is not without reason, as it is commonly associated with archaeological sites. The various excavations carried out have uncovered attached rectangular structures and some walls that could have been defensive in nature. Among the ceramic fragments found alongside the remains, the typical plastic cords of Andalusian pottery stand out.

We return to the pass [55 min] and continue our walk towards Esporles. We pass some downhill bends and on a flat stretch, near the houses of Ses Mosqueres, we find a lime kiln clinging to the path. We leave the main route (GR 221) to the right and follow a cart track that quickly enters the forest. The path soon forks; we take the right-hand (south/southwest) fork, wide and clear, marked with blue paint and cairns. Where the path seems to disappear, the cairns lead us to a dividing wall, which marks the boundary between Ses Mosqueras and Sa Granja, coinciding with the boundary between the municipalities of Banyalbufar and Esporles. [1 hr 15 min] This point marks the start of the route on the summit of Moletó via the Peñón Rojo pass.

The path turns west, ascending steeply and gently due to the leaf litter and the extreme dryness of the terrain. We find good cairns that clearly guide us through the dense holm oak forest and help us navigate each section of this old charcoal burners' route and the path used by hunters with their slingshots. In some sections, we can still make out the steps and the retaining wall that shaped and guided the path. [1 hr 25 min] We reach a flat area with a silo and a hut, allowing us to catch our breath before tackling the second part of the climb. Traces of old paths reappear, revealing the intense activity that once thrived in this area.

A narrow bend, where the path crosses a narrow, cleft crevice, places us above the Red Rock, which passes by a hunter's pass called Freu. [1 hr 35 min] It seems we're reaching the summit, although there's still a while to go. We climb over a low, dry, and partially collapsed wall, marking the boundary between Ses Mosqueres and Sa Granja, near the Pelat Rock. We continue southwest, skirting a crag to our right. [1 hr 45 min] After a winding traverse, we reach a large silo. Beyond the hut, we see cairns to the right and left, forcing us to choose one or the other to reach the summit. Either route leads to our goal. The more direct paths are to the right. We quickly emerge above the forest and enjoy a vast panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. [2 h 00 min] We are at the top of the Granja peak (675 m).

We begin the descent down the north face of the mountain. We descend to the wide pass, from where we reached the summit, and follow the cairns that lead us west, to our left. After a short, winding section [2 h 15 min], we reach the path that climbs from Les Rotasses to the top of the Planícia plateau. We turn right and continue descending. We passed a wall – Coll dels Bous – [2 h 20 min], the boundary between Sa Granja and Son Valentí. The path gradually becomes a cart track, allowing us to comfortably reach the pass that separates the Moletón de la Granja from Monte de la Barca, our destination [2 h 30 min].

Puig de la Barca

We leave the Les Rotasses path to our right and follow a trail that crosses the forest westward. After a short, gentle descent, we begin a relatively easy climb that takes us to Monte de la Barca (582 m) [2h 45 min]. This is a series of crags that rise to the right, a few meters above the holm oak grove, offering a splendid panoramic view of the surrounding area. It's an unassuming but extremely challenging mountain that demands both attention and caution.

We prepare for the descent. We must pay attention and orient ourselves well. We leave the mountain behind us and head towards Mistral. It's an almost flat stretch that ends above a silo with excellent views over Son Bunyola. [2 h 50 min] From here, we descend a first rocky step and proceed steadily, veering slightly to the left, until we reach a hut and a silo roll, marked off with two shoe soles [3 h 00 min]. From this point, facing the sea, a cart track begins, which we follow without difficulty until it joins the Camino del Correo (Post Office Road) [3 h 25 min]. We turn right, heading towards Esporles. We soon find a clearing that juts out to the left of the road, the place known as Era del Moro [3 h 30 min]. From there, a path leads to the Camí Nou de Planícia. A quick descent brings us to the Ma-10 road, a few meters from the Coll del Vent pass, on our right, where the route ends [3 h 50 min].

@Fita_a_Fita