Winter rain or early spring sunshine, this is a brilliant, low-effort family walk in Mallorca. A short, easy circular trail winds along open fields, then carob and oak forest near Campanet, with plenty to keep little explorers busy along the way.
Like a real-life woodland treasure hunt, you can never quite be sure whether you’ll find water at Ses Fonts Ufanes. After periods of heavy rain, the springs, one of Mallorca’s official natural monuments, bubble up from the rocky forest floor and water rushes through the trees, creating rivers, streams, puddles and crossings that quickly turn the walk into a natural playground for splashing, jumping and soggy feet.
At a glance
Location: Campanet
Route Type: Circular woodland walk
Distance: 3 km
Time: 1-1.5 hrs + stops
Start Point: Nr. Coves de Campanet
Best for: All ages
Pushchair Friendly: Partially
Shade: Lots
Swim Stop? No
Worth Packing: Wellies or spare socks
Highlights: spring blossom, woodland streams, safe, stepping stones
The Route
The walk starts from the well-signposted entrance to the Ses Fonts Ufanes estate, just before the entrance to the Coves de Campanet. From here, a well-marked dirt track leads along fields before entering the forest.
The forest path winds through carob and oak woodland, with plenty of space for children to climb, collect sticks and splash through puddles after rain. Along the way, you’ll pass sign posts telling you about the forest’s flora and fauna and close the springs, an old stone charcoal makers hut.
If you’re lucky enough to arrive when the springs are active, water bubbles up from the ground and rushes through the trees, transforming the forest floor into a network of shallow streams and crossings, and occasionally fast flowing turbulent rivers.
Return the way you came, or continue the circular route leaving the forest from above the springs.
Variations & Conditions
The Ses Fonts Ufanes springs only appear after long periods of heavy rainfall and usually run for days, rather than weeks, before disappearing again. Visiting outside these windows still makes for a fun, often muddy, family woodland walk.
Family Notes
This is an ideal walk for toddlers, younger children and mixed-age groups. There’s limited sun exposure, plenty of natural stopping points, and it’s mostly flat . There is also a Visitor Centre with well-maintained toilets to clean up after muddy play. After rain, expect a lot of mud, wet ground and soggy feet.
Along the route, you’ll spot small stone huts known as barraques de carboner. Charcoal burners stayed here during the charcoal-making season from Easter through to late summer, so they could keep a close eye on the slow burn. Nearby, charcoal was made in simple earth-covered furnaces built from stacked timber, carefully arranged to control airflow and oxygen. The process took around ten or eleven days, after which the charcoal was taken by mule or cart to nearby villages. It’s a practical glimpse into how these forests were once used, long before they became a place for family walks.
Practicalities
- Facilities: Toilets are available at the visitor centre part way along the route. There are no cafés or picnic tables, but plenty of rocks and flat ground for a picnic.
- Parking: Free parking is available just past the entrance to the Ses Fonts Ufanes estate on the road towards the Coves de Campanet, or squeezed in along the lane past the estate. It’s very popular after rainfall so arrive early for easy parking. The start of the walk is clearly signposted.
Trail conditions can change. information provided is general and not professional guidance. Children’s safety and route suitability are always the responsibility of the parent or carer and will vary by child. Always check the weather and choose a route that suits your children on the day.
