Treasure Island

Away from the holiday crowds, the, Balearic island of Mallore is a trail-running jewel.

- By James Poole. Photography by James Carnegie

For adventurous soles itching to hit the off road immersed in mojo-firing landscapes, there are some fine options for a long weekend's trail running without leaving South Africa. On a good day, it's hard to beat the Cederberg, Graskop or Giba Gorge. But good days can be hard to come by in the winter months. After a couple of years of clipped wings, cold July mornings and the Cape's relentless rainy months, it's time for a slice of Mediterranean paradise, where blue skies meet epic trails.

Mallorca - the largest of the Balearic Islands - has also established itself as a go-to destination for both cyclists and triathletes. If you know where to look, the island has an incredible network of trails that will satisfy everyone from the casual off-roader to the most hardcore trail runner.

Mallorca's coastline tends to grab all the attention, so it may come as a surprise to learn of the imposing geographic feature of the Serra de Tramuntana, a mountain range forming the northern backbone of the island. While there are trail running possibilities in the south, the truly special experiences are to be had on the north-west of the island and include the spectacular Ruta de Pedra en Sec - the GR221 Dry Stone Route.

GRANDE DESIGNS

THE LITTLE-KNOWN GRANDE RANDONNÉE (GR) 221 Dry Stone Route makes for an amazing 140km multi-day run for experienced runners, but can also be broken down into 11 shorter stages for those who want something easier on the legs.