Ses 3 des Refugi Takes Over Castell d'Alaró: Three Women, New Ideas for the Mountain

Ses 3 des Refugi Takes Over Castell d'Alaró: Three Women, New Ideas for the Mountain

Official management from June, already weekend operations – small changes, big impact

On a morning when the air above the Albopàs is still fresh and the village cafés in Alaró place the first espresso on the tables, you often see them: hikers with dusty shoes, couples aiming to make the short climb, and tour groups who love the view from the castle. It is exactly at this spot, where the paths from the coastal village of Orient and from the Plaça de l’Església meet, that a new chapter begins for Castell d'Alaró.

From June 1, Maria Melis, Linda Bottinelli and Anna Valls will officially take over the management of the mountain hut and hostel. The contract runs for seven years. In recent weeks they have already been running the hut on weekends so that the refuge would not have to close, gaining first-hand experience of life on the mountain.

Why is this newsworthy? First, because it is a concrete example of how people from very different backgrounds can join forces on a common project. Maria, who until now worked in a pharmacy, brings a special connection to nature as a trained naturopath. Linda and Anna complete the team, and together they are taking on the project under the name “Ses 3 des Refugi.”

Their plans feel down-to-earth and forward-looking at the same time. They plan to equip the hostel with sustainable items – among other things they want to introduce dry toilets and make more targeted use of rainwater. Practical developments in mountain shelters are described in Refugios reopen: Mallorca's mountain huts fill up after the summer break.

In addition to technical adjustments, the three also have the cultural life on the mountain in mind: spaces for artists, offerings for meditation or yoga and areas suitable for small parties or celebrations. Similar cultural initiatives on the island have been covered in Mountains or Sea? Two Art Nights, Two Moods — Esporles vs. Ses Salines.

The refuge should remain open during the day for hikers, offer overnight stays in the evening and at the same time be a meeting place for people seeking peace, nature and a sense of community.

This is positive for the island for several reasons: initiatives like this keep popular hiking destinations alive without turning them into mere attractions. They create jobs away from the big hotel chains and promote a more careful segment of tourism. Those who walk up to the Castell early in the morning will not only get a view but also contacts who know the mountain and its needs.

The three operators are working with the foundation that cares for the Castell and are at the same time taking responsibility for the maintenance of the facility. The broader context of land and management debates around the site appears in Expropriation at Castell d'Alaró: End of a Dispute or New Flashpoint?.

The handover is planned, not rushed; in practice they have already gathered weekend experience to test quiet hours, supplies and visitor expectations.

A small everyday scene: on the way to the castle you often overtake a group of recreational athletes, hear the bell of a goat on a distant finca and see locals with dogs shaking their heads while chatting because new ideas for the mountain are emerging again. It is this mixture of everyday sounds that keeps the Castell alive.

Outlook: if everything goes according to plan, “Ses 3 des Refugi” could become a model for other mountain shelters on the island: sustainably equipped, open to culture and reliable for hikers. Small steps like dry toilets and rainwater use are not spectacular but profound. They show that tradition and responsibility can be combined — on a stony path that crunches underfoot, with views to the Tramuntana ridge.

If you visit soon: greet the three, respect the sanctuary of nature and enjoy a refuge that is trying to explore new paths with respect for the mountain.