The peak of Pega, an immense watchtower and a historical watershed

PalmaLocated in the Fontanelles massif, Puig de la Pega, 403 m high, is the point where the villages of Sant Rafel de sa Creu, Sant Jordi de ses Salines, and Sant Josep de sa Talaia meet; at its summit there is a geodetic vertex where previously there had been a boundary marker placed at the end of the 18th century that marked the division between the quartons of Portmany, Algarb, and Alhaueth; for which reason it is also known as Puig del Merlet. This peak and the spring of the same name were admired and described by Archduke Louis Salvador of Austria on an excursion that took him from Vila to Santa Agnès de Corona.

Les antigues Pitiüses is the first volume of Les Balears, descrites per la paraula i la imatge, the great encyclopedia of the Balearic Islands at the end of the 19th century and the great work of Archduke Louis Salvador of Austria. The book we refer to, however, was published in 1869, when 'the prince, scientist, and traveler' had not yet planted ' his walking stick to establish a home' in our land with the purchase of Miramar, in January 1872. He had just completed his first period of contact with our islands, which began in 1867, when he was only 19 years old. In the seventh chapter of Les antigues Pitiüses he comments on the route from Vila to the Corona plain: “To go to Santa Agnès, the best is to take the path that passes by the Pega spring, [.../...] The Pega spring is found on the southeastern slopes of the mountain range that extends from Sant Josep towards the northeast [.../...] From the summit of this little mountain, which the farmers call Serra de Can Xumeu, one enjoys a fantastic view of Ses Salines, surrounded by austere hills, of Formentera, of the infinite sea, and of the nearest wooded peaks”.

We will follow, then, in step and gaze, the Archduke's indications to climb to the top of Puig de la Pega or del Merlet through Rafal Trobat, a set of valleys located in the northernmost part of the town of Sant Jordi de ses Salines, in the venda de l’Horta. It is a territory that is enclosed by Puig de Cas Damians, Puig d’en Palau and La Granada to the East; by Serra d’en Font and Serra de la Murta to the North; by Serra de les Fontanelles and Serra Grossa to the West; and by Rotes de Ca n’Orvai and Puig de Can Parreta to the South. All these mountain ranges converge at Puig de la Pega or del Merlet.

We start from the Can Bellotera roundabout, at km 1.8 of the Sant Josep road (EI-700). If we want to use public transport, on the website alsaibiza.es we will find all the information regarding lines, schedules, and availability.

The route

[00 min] We start walking from Can Bellotera towards La Carroca, on the right side of the road from Vila to Sant Josep (EI-700). These are two old estates, segregated from a larger and older one, Can Tomeu, which underwent significant urban development during the second half of the 20th century. We pass by sports facilities and turn left onto Pica-soques street. Crossing the ford of the Torrent dels Morts [15 min], we leave the asphalt to the right and take a path that, oriented to the northwest, will lead us along the stream to Puig dels Damians street, which we will follow to the left, first, and then to the right. We regain the asphalt, although we have the option to follow some lanes that run parallel to the road.

[35 min] At the first fork, take the left path and then immediately the right one. We enter the area signposted by the Rafal Trobat neighbours' association (rafaltrobat.es). This group of valleys that make up Rafal Trobat was in the past an agricultural area of intense activity, where about twenty families lived. With the arrival of tourism, many of these plots were abandoned and the rest almost disappeared. They obtained water from various springs –les Fontanelles and la Pega– scattered throughout the numerous ravines, as well as traditional wells –Can Cama– and new ones –les Eres– dug throughout the 20th century. The neighbours' association was formed in 2008.

Puig de la Pega or del Merlet

We reach a new and important fork [50 min], where we turn right. We pass by a fire pond, while continuing to gain altitude and perspective over the surrounding landscape. [1 h 10 min] The trail signage forces us to leave the track to the right and through a narrow path, to join a new track that we follow to the left. The views grow even larger, from the valleys of Rafal Trobat to ses Salines and puig Falcó. [1 h 30 min] We reach a pass, with a barrier and a landmark marking the border between Sant Josep de sa Talaia and Sant Antoni de Portmany. We follow the track to the left. At the next two forks, first to the left and then to the right. One last push and we have reached the summit of puig de la Pega or del Merlet [1 h 50 min].

For the descent, we leave the geodesic vertex and take the path we find to the right of the one we followed on the way up. We emerge onto a dirt track which we follow to the right, heading west. Little by little, especially when we reach the power lines [2 h 10 min], the path turns towards the southeast, to our left. A steep and stony terrain in sections, where the towers supporting the wiring are our main landmark. The path opens out onto a dirt track [2 h 30 min], at the height of Can Jaume Costa, on the right. Our march continues in this direction, leaving Can Pep des Galops on our right and shortly after skirting the Cas Orvais neighborhood [2 h 45 min], where we regain the asphalt. We join the path to the Can Xomeu quarry, on the left, and shortly after, at the next fork, we close the circuit [2 h 50 min]. From here, we retrace our steps until we reach the Can Bellotera roundabout, where our walk ends [3 h 25 min].

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