Walks, cycling and golf around Cala Ratjada

North-east Mallorca is fine walking and cycling country, and a good deal hillier than the beaches suggest. The best months are March to May and the autumn. In July and August the thermometer sits at 28 to 31 °C and there's precious little shade on the paths, so if you do go then, set off very early.

Walks in Cala Ratjada

Most of the starting points are within reach without a car. Cala Agulla is 25 minutes on foot from the apartment, which puts R.4 and R.7 practically on the doorstep. In season the 422 bus goes to Cala Mesquida and the 423 to Font de sa Cala. For Canyamel and the natural park near Artà you'll want wheels.

The figures come from the Capdepera hoteliers' walking portal, and some of the route descriptions are several years old. It doesn't publish official height gains.

The four we'd do first

For day one, R.6 through Cala Ratjada to Capdepera. It takes in the lighthouse and Cala Lliteres and gives you the lie of the land in one go, starting at the Centre Cap Vermell.

For a morning with no car, R.1.1 from Mesquida to Agulla. An hour along the coast over the Coll de Marina. Take the 422 out, walk back to Cala Agulla, swim if you feel like it, and it's another 25 minutes to the apartment with no parked car to return to.

For the view, R.4 over the Talaia de Son Jaumell. The summit is close to 300 metres above the sea, you'll need proper walking boots, and GPS tracks put the climbing anywhere from 330 to 460 metres. As there's no longer any parking at the beach, start from the apartment.

For a swim at the end, R.3 to Cala Torta. An easy circular walk from Cala Mesquida to the undeveloped sands of Cala Torta. There's no drinking water when you get there, so carry plenty.

R.7 up the Puig de s'Àguila is the toughest and only for experienced walkers. For something gentler, follow the shore from the harbour past Cala Gat to the lighthouse, though that isn't a waymarked route. Another popular loop goes from Cala Gat by way of the lighthouse, Sa Torre Esbucada and Cala Lliteres to Cala Agulla.

Península de Llevant and Betlem

The natural park near Artà is wilder still. Call in at the s'Alqueria Vella visitor centre first for the latest on which paths are passable. These routes come from walkers' own recordings, so expect some variation:

• Circular from s'Alqueria Vella: 3 to 5 km depending on the version, a good introduction
• Puig Morei: about 5 km and 365 m of climbing
• Pas des Porcs to Betlem: 11.4 km and 474 m
• Puig de sa Tudossa: 20 km and 671 m, for seasoned walkers only

The Ermita de Betlem makes a rewarding day out. From the Betlem settlement it's 5 to 7 km there and back, depending on the source, with roughly 300 m of ascent. A circular from Colònia de Sant Pere is a little over 8 km with 340 m of climbing, and a waymarked path also runs up from Artà.

Take more water than you think you'll need, since the coast paths rarely pass anywhere selling it. Long trousers help with the spiky scrub and you'll want good grip on the rock. From September it rains more often, and paths can turn slippery after an October storm.

Cycling and bike hire

Bike hire is easy to find in town: one directory lists eight businesses. Two to try are Rent A Scooter & Bike Cristóbal on Avinguda Cala Agulla, which has e-bikes and will deliver to Font de sa Cala, Capdepera, Cala Mesquida, Canyamel and Artà, and Rent a Bike Schulz & Junior. Prices vary by season, so ask them directly, and sort out where the bikes will spend the night before you sign.

Vía Verde, Manacor to Artà. This is the one for families. It's 29 km along an old railway line, on compacted gravel about 4 metres wide, flat and closed to motor traffic. It starts at the Paseo del Ferrocarril in Manacor and finishes at Artà's old station. You needn't do it all: set out from Artà, ride as far as suits you and turn back. There are six rest areas along the way. Artamove at the former station and S'Abeurador Rent a Bike in Artà hire bikes right by the route, which saves bringing them from Cala Ratjada. Further along, Bicicletes Sancho has shops in Manacor and Cala Millor, and Ciclos Bon Temps in Cala Millor opens from February to November.

Cala Ratjada to Cala Agulla, Cala Mesquida and back. About 18 km on stony tracks with some climbing. It's not for beginners or road bikes, but it takes in two of the big beaches.

Font de sa Cala and Sa Pedruscada loop. Just under 10 km with around 90 m of ascent, which is a morning's outing with a swim at the end. The beach guide will help you choose where.

If you're not sure of your legs on these hills, an e-bike takes the sting out of them. High summer on an exposed route is hot work, so have a look at the best months to come.

Golf near Cala Ratjada

Two 18-hole courses are a short drive away, and both are open all year. That suits a spring or autumn stay, since we let the apartment from March/April to October.

Capdepera Golf (Roca Viva). 18 holes, par 72, opened in 1989 and designed by Dan Maples. It lies between Artà and Capdepera. Maximum handicap 36.

Canyamel Golf. 18 holes at Canyamel, in the south of the municipality. Maximum handicap 36 for men and 45 for women.

Green fees swing widely by date and are priced dynamically, so ask each club what applies and which tee times are free. You really need a car for both, and our page on getting here goes through the options.

After a day out

The apartment has room for two couples or a small group, a washing machine that can take the muddy socks, and a terrace to put your feet up on. On days when you've had enough of boots and saddles, look through things to do in the area.

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