La Trapa Hike from Sant Elm
Where to park for free in Sant Elm, which shoes to wear and why you shouldn’t leave it too late.
Published: October 2026
If you’re thinking about hiking to La Trapa, here is something you should know first: it’s steeper than it looks, and the best part comes at the end of the day. Some views are worth the climb, and this one is worth staying for until the sun goes down.
Where to park
Parking is the one thing that’s hard to find a clear answer, so let’s start there.
You have two options in Sant Elm. The large paid car park right at the entrance of the village is the obvious choice, but it adds another 15–20 minutes of walking before you even reach the start of the trail.
To save your legs, drive to the far end of the village, to Av. de la Trapa. In this whole area you can park on the street between the houses. Look for the white lines: parking in the white-marked spots is free. Space is limited like everywhere in Mallorca, so there’s no guarantee, but it’s worth a try.
The trail
The first part of the hike is easy. A simple path, no real effort.
Then it changes. Most of the rest is uphill, on steep and often rough paths, and the climb to the viewpoint takes more out of you than you’d expect.
Wear proper hiking shoes. This is not a trail for sneakers or sandals.
Near the top you’ll reach a section with rocks and chains. This part is slippery and it’s the worst part of the trail. Take it slowly. Once you get past it, the path gets better, and by then the hill is almost finished.
Come Back on a Sunday
La Trapa is a former monastery, but today it’s a private estate owned by GOB, the Balearic Group of Ornithology and Nature Defence. GOB bought it in 1980 with the help of public donations. It’s a non-governmental, non-profit organisation that works to protect Mallorca’s nature.
And here’s the part most people don’t know:
If you come to Mallorca often, or you’d like to meet different people while you’re here, you can join the volunteers.
Every first Sunday of the month (except July and August) a group goes up to La Trapa to work on the estate, and anyone can take part.
It’s a different way to spend a Sunday on the island: fresh air, honest work, and good company.
You made it to La Trapa. Take a breath, enjoy the view and relax for a while. And if you decide to stay for the sunset, you’re in the right place for it.
Stay for the sunset
The estate sits in two west-facing valleys that end in cliffs above the Mediterranean, facing the island of Dragonera. That makes it a very good place to watch the sun go down.
In October, the sun sets a little after 7 pm. It’s quiet, there’s nothing to do but look at the sea, and the light changes slowly. It’s easily the best part of the day. Just keep in mind that the way back starts when the light is almost gone.
Walking Back in the Dark: Be Prepared
Think about the walk down before you decide to stay.
Once the sun goes down, it gets dark fast. Bring a torch or a headlamp and a light jacket or a sweater, because it gets cooler once the sun is gone.
The bigger problem is the path itself. In the forest, especially on the steep part, there isn’t just one trail but several, and in the dark it’s very easy to follow the wrong one. Even if you walk fast, you can end up completely lost.
There’s often no phone signal in the forest, so download an offline map before you start the hike. A power bank is also a good idea, so your phone doesn’t run out of battery when you need it most.
Start walking back before the light fades, so you get past the slippery rocks as early as possible.
La Trapa: The Essentials
Route: the same trail from Sant Elm to La Trapa and back
Parking: Av. de la Trapa
Shoes: proper hiking shoes
Hardest part: slippery rocks
Sunset: around 7 to 7:30 pm in October
Bring: a torch or headlamp, a light jacket or sweater, an offline map and a power bank
Leave: before the light fades
Join in: volunteer day, first Sunday of the month (not in July and August)
