La Trapa is a former Trappist monastery and rural estate in the hills of Andratx, at the south-western end of Mallorca. Monks settled here in the early nineteenth century; what remains is a group of stone ruins on the slopes above the sea, reached by footpath from the village of Sant Elm. The land lies within a Special Area of Conservation. The site is known for its panoramic view across the water to the island of Dragonera and for the hike that leads to it.
La Trapa
Stone ruins of a Trappist monastery above the sea, reached on foot from Sant Elm and facing the island of Dragonera.
- Accessibility
- Not wheelchair accessible: no accessible parking or entrance, and the approach is a hiking trail with sections over bare rock.
- Parking
- Free car park on an unsurfaced lot about 1.2 km from the ruins in a straight line; no accessible spaces.
- Difficulty
- A 3.8 km hike from Sant Elm, mainly through forest: about an hour and a half up and an hour back, with some climbing over rock and waymarks that are easy to miss in places.
- Transport
- Buses to Sant Elm: stop S'Algar (Sant Elm), about 2.2 km away in a straight line, or Sant Elm 2 (Sant Elm), about 2.5 km away.
- Hours
- Open at all hours.
- Address
- 07159 Andratx, Balearic Islands, Spain
What makes it special
The view is the reason. Dragonera lies stretched out across the water below, and on the other side the open sea runs to the horizon. The path up from Sant Elm keeps mostly to the forest, so the panorama opens all at once where the trees give way.
On the slope stand the ruins of the monastery and its farm: stone walls, terraces and the outline of a settlement the monks built and later left. The place holds an odd, suspended quiet, helped by the fact that phone signal barely reaches it. Volunteers are rebuilding parts of it, so some walls you pass are being put back together stone by stone.
Good to know
- There is no shop, café, drinking water or toilet at the ruins or anywhere nearby. Carry water and food for the whole walk.
- Phone signal is weak to absent along most of the route.
- The trail is waymarked with wooden posts and red dots on the rocks, but it is confusing in places. Keep your eyes up for the markers.
- Some stretches mean climbing up over bare rock. Wear proper walking shoes.
Getting there
The walk starts in Sant Elm, the village at the end of the road facing Dragonera. Buses stop there at S'Algar (Sant Elm), about 2.2 km from the ruins in a straight line, and at Sant Elm 2 (Sant Elm), about 2.5 km away. From the village the trail runs 3.8 km, mainly through forest, and takes about an hour and a half up and an hour back down. Follow the wooden posts and the red dots painted on the rocks.
By car, the nearest car park is an unsurfaced lot about 1.2 km from the ruins in a straight line; the rest is on foot. A guidepost stands at the site itself, and an information board marked la Trapa sits about 250 m away. La Trapa also lies on the GR221, so walkers on the long-distance route can carry on past it.
Best time to visit
Best: early morning, and in summer set off from Sant Elm by 9 am at the latest. Spring and autumn suit the climb best.
Avoid: the middle of a summer day, and wet days.
In the morning the peak keeps the sun off the ascent; by midday in summer the climb is hot with nowhere to refill water, and rain makes the rocky sections slippery.
Sun & daylight
Nearby Places
Similar Places
La Trapa on the map
Parts of the path climb over bare rock, and the slopes fall steeply towards the sea with no fencing. Stay on the waymarked route and wear shoes with a firm grip.
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Frequently asked questions
How long is the walk to La Trapa from Sant Elm?
The trail is 3.8 km, mainly through forest. It takes about an hour and a half up and about an hour back.Is there water or food at La Trapa?
No. There is no shop, café, drinking water or toilet at the ruins or nearby, so bring everything you need from Sant Elm.Is the trail easy to follow?
It is marked with wooden posts and red dots on the rocks, but the route is confusing in places and some sections involve climbing over rock.Can you reach La Trapa by bus?
Buses run to Sant Elm, stopping at S'Algar (Sant Elm) and Sant Elm 2 (Sant Elm). From the village it is the hike up.Is La Trapa wheelchair accessible?
No. There is no accessible parking or entrance, and the only way in is a hiking trail with rocky sections.