Cala en Basset tower walk from Sant Elm

The walk to Cala en Basset tower is a 5.5 km partial loop from Sant Elm, in Andratx. It’s one of our favourite walks, and there’s a challenge for the children: can you spot the four giant arrows made of stones?

Sant Elm is an old fishing village with a beach, small coves along the waterfront and places to eat. We like walking to the end of the promenade for the view of Sa Dragonera.

What you’ll see on the walk

Look out for Es Pantaleu, the small island opposite Sant Elm beach and part of Sa Dragonera Natural Park. From the tower you can see Sa Dragonera and its Tramuntana lighthouse.

Below the tower is Cala en Basset, a rocky cove with clear water. The walk described here goes to the tower. The separate trail down to the cove is rougher and can be difficult for young children.

From Sant Elm to Cala en Basset tower

The stone arrows are landmarks we saw on our walk and they can change over time. Use the junctions, pinewoods and street names below to help you find your way.

1. Start on Avinguda de la Trapa in Sant Elm. The first stretch is shared with the longer walk to La Trapa. At the junction with the «Coto de caza» sign, the La Trapa forest-track route continues straight on.
2. Walk to the end of the street and go straight on along the forest track. Pass the downhill turn on the right.
3. After about 10 minutes, look for a «Coto de caza» sign almost straight ahead and an abandoned house on the right. There are two paths on the left. Take the leftmost one, where we saw a wooden arrow marked «Torre de Cala Embasset».
4. Stay on this path past the smaller side trails.
5. At the next fork, keep left.
6. After a short climb, Es Pantaleu comes into view on the left.
7. The path narrows before meeting a wider track that runs uphill and downhill.
8. At the first stone arrow, turn right uphill for the tower. On the way back, you’ll take the downhill branch of this wider track.
9. Further uphill, look for the second stone arrow and the word torre painted in blue on a rock.
10. Continue through the pinewoods, with Sa Dragonera to your left.
11. Look out for the third and fourth stone arrows as the tower comes into view.
12. Near the end, take the path that drops to the left and leads to the tower.

Cala en Basset tower is also called Torre de sa Rabassada. It stands on Punta de sa Galera, about 80 metres above the sea. According to Andratx Tourism, it was built in 1583 to watch over the channel beside Sa Dragonera. The adjoining building dates from the Spanish Civil War, when the tower was used as an observation post again.

Returning to Sant Elm

1. Retrace your steps to the junction with the first stone arrow. This time follow the wide track downhill.
2. At the three-way junction, go straight on to the partly paved road from an unfinished development.
3. Turn left there to head back towards Sant Elm.
4. Follow Carrer de Na Popia downhill and turn left into Carrer de Sa Punta Blanca.
5. You’re now close to Avinguda de la Trapa. For a short detour, take the first right into Avinguda de S’Algar and stop at the viewpoint above Cala s’Algar for a glimpse of the village’s fishing past.
6. Continue along Avinguda de S’Algar and turn left at the end to reach the start of Avinguda de la Trapa. Look for the playground with the blue windmill.

Walk details