Petjades: New Hiking Program for People Aged 60+ Starts on Mallorca

Petjades: New Hiking Program for People Aged 60+ Starts on Mallorca

The Consell de Mallorca has launched a new program for active older adults: the program is called 'Petjades' and offers 14 guided hikes from May through December (Island Council short-trip program for over-60s). The routes are planned at 10 to 12 kilometers — long enough to feel the legs but not so long that enjoyment is lost.

When people meet in the morning at a meeting point, for example at the bus stop on the Plaça de sa Quartera in Inca or the Paseo Marítimo in Palma, the first sounds are the clicking of hiking boots and the soft murmur of voices from the groups. Catalan and German conversations often mix, an older gentleman unpacks his breakfast, a participant adjusts her cap. Thus begins a day whose pace is devoted to conversation and the landscape.

Destinations

The routes lead across the island: mountain paths of the Serra de Tramuntana (see Serra de Tramuntana refugios reopen), coastal stretches in the east and the Mondragó Natural Park in the south are on the program. Anyone who has seen the limestone formations in Valldemossa knows that the paths not only demand physically but also reward the eyes and the mind. Stages include routes such as Sóller–Fornalutx–Biniaraix, walks around Raixa and Pastoritx, as well as the coastal stretch between Betlem and Es Caló in the Colònia de Sant Pere.

Organization and Comfort

About 50 places are reserved per tour; registration is handled through local seniors' associations. The program clearly states what is included: a bus to the route, a shared picnic and a small equipment package — practical items such as a water bottle, a map or a first-aid kit are likely included. For questions two phone numbers have been published: 971 505 792 and 699 057 160.

This is not only practical, it is also a quiet gain for the island: fewer cars on narrow access roads because groups travel by bus; people discovering new corners instead of only familiar bays; and a fixed framework that puts safety and community first.

Why This Is Good for Mallorca

A program like Petjades brings several benefits together: health promotion for older people, relief of tourism pressure in sensitive places and regional appreciation. When older residents or long-term residents experience their island on foot, a stronger sense of belonging often develops — they learn new paths, local stories and meet small producers along the way. This helps make places beyond the big hotspots visible.

Practical Details and Outlook

The dates are spread over the months of May, June, September, October, November and December. These include dates such as 15 May (Cala Figuera/Mondragó), 22 and 29 May (various routes), as well as several repeats of popular routes in autumn and early winter. Most tours are planned so that the weather cooperates — fresh air in the morning, sunshine at midday and often a sea view for the break.

For participants, the program can be more than exercise: new acquaintances, shared breaks on stone terraces, conversations about the old days or the stories of the villages. Those who want to join are best advised to speak with their seniors' association; the organization runs through these channels.

The island breathes a little differently when groups of older hikers set off: slower, more attentive, connected. Petjades focuses on community and the slow discovery of the island. If you are thinking about your own hiking boots now, you can look forward to it — and for questions call 971 505 792 or 699 057 160.

Quick overview: 14 tours from May–December, 10–12 km per route, ~50 places per tour, bus ride, picnic and equipment package included, registration via seniors' associations.