Cova de l'Ermità Guillem

Cova de l'Ermità Guillem is a hermit's cave tucked high into the Serra de Tramuntana above Valldemossa, one of Mallorca's most picturesque mountain towns. The cave is also known as Font de Sa Cova or Ermita de Son Moragues — the latter name appears in "Die Balearen," the 1880 work by Archduke Ludwig Salvator of Austria.

Who was the hermit behind the name?

The cave takes its name from Guillem de Sant Pau, an ascetic who withdrew from the world and lived here until his death in 1635. His contemporaries regarded him as a holy man, so his skull was preserved as a relic — it is still kept today at the nearby Ermita de la Santísima Trinidad in Valldemossa. A second, lesser-known hermit also lived in the cave: Antonio de Sant Pau Ferrer, from Alaró, who died in 1693 and wrote "Mallorca Eremítica," a chronicle of the island's hermit tradition.

What will you find inside the cave?

Cova de l'Ermità Guillem is still occasionally inhabited today by people seeking a break from the noise of the world, following in the footsteps of the old hermits. Inside is a sleeping area, a point for collecting water, and a mix of religious symbols — Christian icons sit alongside a figure of Buddha, with a Bible and other books of reflection nearby. Visitors treat the site with respect, and it functions less as a historical curiosity than as a living trace of Mallorca's eremitic tradition.

How do you get to the cave?

Reaching Cova de l'Ermità Guillem takes a proper hike through the Serra de Tramuntana. A popular loop route via Es Caragolí, Puig des Pou, the Camí de l'Arxiduc and Ses Basses covers roughly 9 kilometers, gains around 560 meters in elevation, and takes 3.5 to 4 hours to complete. The route crosses private land, so access requires a permit requested at least 48 hours in advance.

When is the best time to hike there?

Given the demanding mountain terrain and the lack of shade along most of the route, spring and autumn are the best seasons, when temperatures in the Tramuntana are milder. In summer, set out early in the morning and carry plenty of water, since there are no supply points along the trail.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit the cave without a permit? No — the land is private, and access requires a permit requested at least 48 hours in advance.

How long does the hike to the cave take? The full loop via Es Caragolí and the Camí de l'Arxiduc usually takes 3.5 to 4 hours.

Does anyone live in the cave permanently? Not permanently, but it is occasionally inhabited by people seeking solitude, in the spirit of the old hermits.

Where is the hermit Guillem's skull kept today? The relic is kept at the Ermita de la Santísima Trinidad in Valldemossa, not far from the cave.