Puig Major facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Puig Major
Rocky mountain landscape
Highest point
Elevation	1,436 m (4,711 ft)
Prominence	1,436 m (4,711 ft)
Naming
English translation	Higher Rise
Language of name	Catalan
Geography
Puig Major Location in Spain
Location	Îles Baléares
Spain	Îles Baléares
Parent range	Serra de Tramuntana

Puig Major is the tallest mountain on the Spanish island of Majorca. It stands 1,436 meters (about 4,711 feet) above the sea. This impressive peak is part of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range.

Because Puig Major is in a military area, the nearby Puig de Massanella (1,364 meters) is known as the highest mountain that people can visit on the island. The closest town to Puig Major is Sóller, a village on Mallorca's northwest coast.

Puig Major: Mallorca's Highest Peak

Puig Major is the highest point on the island of Mallorca. It is a very important part of the island's landscape. The mountain is located within the Serra de Tramuntana range. This range is famous for its beautiful views and challenging trails.

A Mountain with a Secret

The top of Puig Major has a special military base. It belongs to the US Air Force. This base has a radar system. This radar helps control air traffic in the Western Mediterranean region for NATO.

Work on the radar station began in 1955. It was finished by December 1959. Since then, access to the very top of the mountain has been restricted. In 2000, the radar system was updated. This allowed some older buildings near the summit to be taken down.

Protecting the Environment

Building the military base had a big impact on the mountain. The very top of Puig Major had to be flattened. This made the mountain about 9 meters (30 feet) shorter.

The road built to reach the summit also caused damage. It was made in straight lines, not following the natural curves of the land. This destroyed an old stone path that people from Sóller used to climb. Piles of leftover rocks from the construction also harmed the mountain's slopes. These slopes are home to many unique plants.

Because it is a military area, you need special permission to visit the summit. The US Air Force barracks are also located near the base of Puig Major.

For many years, two large orange spheres sat on the summit. These spheres protected the radar equipment. People in Mallorca called them "Las Bolas" or "Ses Bolles," meaning "The Balls." In 2005, a single, larger sphere replaced them. This happened because of new technology.

Fun for Hikers

Hiking is very popular in Mallorca. Many hikers love the Puig Major area. It offers beautiful routes and trails.

Some popular routes include climbing Penyal des Migdia. This peak is southwest of Puig Major's summit. Another route is Morro D'en Pelut, located to the north. Sometimes, these routes might go into the military zone without official permission.

Gallery

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  Puig Major

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  Radar station on Puig Major

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  Puig Major seen from a plane

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  Puig Major (immediately to the right of the cactus) seen from the village of Fornalutx (near Soller)

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  Dawn on the Penyal des Migdia with view of Puig Major and the air force installations

See also

In Spanish: Puig Mayor para niños