Forecasts for the occupation of Mallorca’s refuges suggest that 2023 will close with record numbers of visitors. This was reported by the Consell de Mallorca after the reopening of the network on 16 August, after a fortnight’s closure for holidays. The indicators already reflect a successful occupation between now and the end of the year, with more than 3,502 places occupied. For this month of August alone, there are 514 bookings from excursionists.

The second high season of the year is between September and November, with the maximum occupancy of users in October. In this sense, the occupancy forecasts for these months are very positive, so that everything suggests that it will be close to full capacity in autumn, one of the busiest times of the year for hikers.

The island’s Director of the Environment, Luis Rubí, referred to the very high occupancy figures for the refuges, “a trend that leads us to predict that the number of users in 2022, which was 27,428 people, will be exceeded”.

Rubí expressed his satisfaction with the good prospects for the remaining months of the year. “We already have 3,502 people who have made reservations at one of the refuges in the Serra de Tramuntana, so everything leads us to believe that we can close the year with a record number of accommodations,” he said.

20,448 users from January to July

Interior of the Galatzó refuge.

From January to July, the network of shelters managed by the Consell has welcomed a total of 20,448 users, compared to the 15,779 who enjoyed these facilities dependent on the island institution in the same period of 2022. It should be noted that this year 2,595 visitors have been counted at the Galatzó, which opened its doors at the end of 2022.

The island’s director stressed that “the refuges are highly valued by hikers who take advantage of their stays to walk sections of the Dry Stone Route”.

“Hiking is booming and this is reflected in the number of visitors to our refuges, which host both national and international users who visit our island to do this activity, enjoying our landscapes and natural environment,” he added. Interested hikers can make their bookings by telephone, email or through the Consell de Mallorca website.