Mondragó Natural Park
Mondragó Natural Park is located in one of the ornithological richest areas in Mallorca. It is located on the south of the island, within the municipality of Santanyí. It presents a wide variety of landscapes with canyons, beaches, dunes, ravines and Holm oak forests.
In 1992, it was declared as Natural Park by the Government of the Balearic Islands, and since 1995 it has been regarded as an Area of Special Protection for Birds by the European governing body. The park has a surface area of 785 hectares and is 57 metres at its highest point.
The park is home to a great variety of birds. The official number of bird species is 60. Among them it is important to highlight the common shag or the Audouin's Gull, as well as the osprey.
Within this park you can do several hiking and cycling itineraries and enjoy the different ecosystems.
The botanic jewels of the park are the orchids, which include the following species: Barlia robertiana, Anacamptis piramidalis, Serapias lingua, Serapias parviflora. There are also several species of the Orchis and Ophrys genera.
Pine forests and rocky outcrops shelter the protected white sand cove of Mondragó. There, you will find a bar surrounded by sun loungers where you can have cold cocktails and soft drinks.
In this natural park you can still find evidence of the smuggling activity that used to take place here during the first half of the 20th century. There are also remains that prove the existence of cultivated lands, quays for the fishing boats and lime kilns in the forest.
The park includes four different itineraries, which allow the visitor to enjoy the typical elements of the traditional architecture as well as the stunning views, amongst other things. Each route is between 25 and 40 minutes long.
The first route is a rising path to Caló des Burgit, through the scrubland and the heather.
The second itinerary takes you along a path that goes up the slope of a ravine and leads you to the viewpoint of Ses Fonts de N´Alis, located in the vicinity of the pond of Ses Fonts.
The third itinerary gives the opportunity to see important archaeological remains
The fourth itinerary departs from S´Amarador beach. It reveals you the vestiges of the agricultural activity that was carried out in this finca.