Sa Calobra / Torrent de Pareis

I'm starting with my absolute favorite excursion. Sa Calobra - a small village, located on the northwestern coast of Mallorca, as well as the rock gorge Torrent de Pareis. The village, also known as Cases de Sa Calobra, actually consists of only a few houses, but it fascinates me every time I'm there. The journey alone is an adventure and offers unforgettable impressions. If you plan to visit Sa Calobra, make sure to allocate plenty of time, as the village offers much more than meets the eye at first glance. It's also important to note that you will spend some time in the car, as you have to pass through the winding road MA-2141... and it's a challenging one. The road was designed and built in 1932 by the Italian engineer Antonio Paretti. 31,000 cubic meters of rock were excavated and reused in dam sections or on the valley side. Over a distance of 14 kilometers, you will conquer a difference in elevation of 682 meters and pass through 12 hairpin bends. At the height of Sa Moleta, there is even a 270° curve, known as the 'necktie knot'. Here, you also have the opportunity to take a break, replenish your supply of drinks, and use the restroom.

If you enjoy taking photos, you will find countless opportunities to fill up your camera's memory card. The views offered by the landscape during the drive are sometimes quite dramatic.

TIP: I recommend planning your trip to Sa Calobra as early as possible. Especially during peak season, traffic congestion is common, and even though the distance is 'only' 14 kilometers, delays can be significant due to traffic disruptions.

After a very curvy drive, you will eventually arrive in Sa Calobra. Here, you have the option to park your car right at the beginning of the village. Don't get confused by the parking times. It is common in Spain for parking fees to be calculated per minute. When converted to an hour, it's the same result as what we are used to.

After a short walk, you will find yourself in the bay of the village. In the morning, when there isn't much tourist traffic yet, you can enjoy the view and the tranquility... and simply relax. This bay also serves as a mooring place for the ships of the beautiful and rich. If you're lucky (or unlucky), you might see the type of mode of transportation in the water that you could never afford in your life :-)

If you've had enough of the breathtaking scenery, you will find a sign indicating the way to the second highlight - the Torrent de Pareis. Along a well-developed path that runs right along the steep coast of the bay, you will pass through a tunnel corridor to reach the rock gorge. The Torrent (torrential stream) is only 3300 meters long and starts at the confluence of the Torrent de Lluc and the Torrent des Gorg Blau. The name Torrent de Pareis roughly translates to 'double stream', referring to the two source streams.

When you enter the Torrent de Pareis for the first time through the tunnel corridor, you will be blown away by its dimensions. On one side, you can see a gravel beach nestled between two high rock cliffs that lead into the sea. On the other side, there are rugged rock slopes, small caves eroded by water, and occasional water pools. In my opinion, it's exactly this mixture that makes this place so fascinating. Now you can decide - either you relax on the beach and enjoy the view and the sun, or you explore the Torrent a bit on foot. If you choose to explore, most of the water pools can be easily crossed on foot. The water reaches a maximum of knee height and is very warm, especially during the summer months. You will come across hikers who have reached the Torrent de Pareis on foot, and you might even strike up a conversation with some of them. Great stories are almost guaranteed here.

TIP: If you plan to spend more time at this place, you can also grab a bite to eat in Sa Calobra. While there are no highly culinary highlights cooked here, it's enough for a quick snack.

After a long day, you can confidently start your journey back home, full of impressions. If you're not in a hurry, the view of the sea also offers a beautiful sunset. Usually, there are only a few tourists left at that time.