La Trapa is a property with great cultural and environmental interest, situated in the extreme south west of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, overlooking sa Dragonera island, in the municipality of Andratx. This estate consists of two west-facing valleys ending in some cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean. This part of the island has some of the lowest rainfall and the landscape is therefore naturally arid.
The name of La Trapa originates from the forty Trappist monks, living by the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance, vowed to poverty, chastity and silence, strict vegetarians who slept on a hard surface and devoted their lives to prayer and work, who settled in this exceptionally beautiful spot in 1810, escaping from the French Revolution. They stayed at La Trapa for approximately ten years, building a small monastery, and they built stone terraces, with a very clever water collection system, permitting the total transformation of the slopes in the area, previously known as the Valle de Sant Josep, into a space for cultivation and habitation. Over the years La Trapa passed through different hands. The buildings and terraces were extended during this time, transforming them into a property dedicated to agriculture, until well into the 20th century. Unfortunately it was then abandoned and left to ruin.
In 1980 the Grup Balear d’Ornitologia i Defensa de la Naturalesa (GOB), acquired the La Trapa natural reserve via popular subscription and took over its recovery and reforesting. Nowadays the natural area is dedicated primarily to the preservation of nature, investigation, rambling and environmental education.
There are three approaches to La Trapa. The most popular way, known as the Forest Route, starts some 150 metres after the s'Arracó cemetery and passes via the Collet de La Trapa. Another path, from Sant Elm, goes via the Cami de Can Tomeuví and continues along a steep narrow path following the coast offering some stunning views over Cala en Basset and its tower, and Isla sa Dragonera on the horizon. Finally the third route starts at kilometre 3.4 on the road between Andratx and Estellencs, going via the Coll de Sa Gramola and the Cap Fabioler viewpoint. The best route if atl all possible is to go via the Coll de Sa Gramola and descend via the Camí de Can Tomeuví.
When visiting La Trapa there are so many things of interest to see and experience. As well as the cliffs, breathtaking views, the vegetation, the birds, there are the buildings that the Trappist monks built along with their very clever water drainage system, and the mill with its threshing area. All in all an incredible place to witness the simplicity of life in those days and how the monks cleverly overcame natural elements to provide themselves with the necessary food and water to survive in this, initially, very arid part of the island. You will also be able to see how some of the buildings are currently being restored. The estate is dedicated to environmental education and hiking, it is certainly worth a visit and is only a short walk from Sant Elm.
The following video shows you the landscape and views from La Trapa as well as some of the building before taking you back down to Sant Elm.
La Trapa is a property with great cultural and environmental interest, situated in the extreme south west of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, overlooking sa Dragonera island, in the municipality of Andratx. This estate consists of two west-facing valleys ending in some cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean. This part of the island has some of the lowest rainfall and the landscape is therefore naturally arid.