There are places in Mallorca that never make it onto postcards. You won’t spot them from the road, and they only reveal themselves when nature decides the time is right. Ses Fonts Ufanes is one of those places.
Deep inside an ancient holm-oak forest on the public estate of Gabellí Petit, water surges up from the ground with a force that is hard to believe until you see it. It happens without warning, without a fixed schedule and without any man-made staging.
All it takes is rain, limestone bedrock and millions of years of geology to turn a silent woodland into a rushing torrent that sweeps across the forest floor between trunks and roots in a matter of minutes. If you have ever wanted to see the island at its most raw and authentic, this walk near Campanet deserves a special place in your trip.
What is Ses Fonts Ufanes and why is it unique in Mallorca
Ses Fonts Ufanes is the most remarkable hydrogeological phenomenon in the Balearic Islands. It consists of intermittent springs that burst through the ground in a diffuse, extremely powerful and sudden way after enough rain has accumulated around the Puig Tomir massif.
When rainfall is heavy and sustained, water seeps deep into the ground until it reaches a highly permeable karstic aquifer surrounded by impervious rock. Once the aquifer exceeds its capacity, the water forces its way to the surface and erupts through two main outlets: the Ufana Grossa and the Ufana Petita.
A flow rate that defies logic
What truly astonishes visitors is the sheer speed of the process. Flow rates can jump from zero to 3 cubic metres per second in just a few minutes, and in exceptional events they have reached 100 m³/s.
When the surge is strong enough, the water is not limited to the two main outlets: it rises between the rocks and the oak trunks, streaming across the entire forest floor as though the woodland itself had come to liquid life.
The average annual volume produced by these springs is between 10 and 12 cubic hectometres. That water feeds into the Teló torrent, joins other local springs, crosses the farmland around Sa Pobla and eventually reaches the S’Albufera Natural Park before flowing out to sea.
Ses Fonts Ufanes has been a designated Natural Monument since 2001, and in 2005 the Balearic Government purchased the Gabellí Petit estate to safeguard its conservation and guarantee public access. That protection means the visit is well-signposted, respectful and open to everyone.
When do Ses Fonts Ufanes burst and what is the best time to visit
This is probably the most common question among anyone planning the trip: when do Ses Fonts Ufanes actually burst? The answer has nothing to do with the calendar and everything to do with the weather.
The springs appear after several days of heavy, sustained rainfall in the Puig Tomir area, usually 24 to 48 hours after torrential rain in the Serra de Tramuntana. This typically happens between October and March, with November and December being the most likely months, when Atlantic storms hit the mountains.
The phenomenon usually occurs two or three times a year, though in particularly wet winters it can happen more often. There is no official alert system, but local social media and Mallorcan news outlets tend to spread the word quickly once the springs have started flowing.
What if the springs haven’t burst? Even if you visit Gabellí Petit on a dry day, the walk is still well worth it. The oak forest is beautiful in any season, and in autumn the undergrowth fills with wild mushrooms and fungi, making for a peaceful and photogenic stroll.
How to get there and opening hours
The Gabellí Petit estate lies in the municipality of Campanet, to the northeast of the Serra de Tramuntana. Take exit 37 off the Ma-13 motorway (Palma–Alcúdia) and follow signs towards the Ermita de Sant Miquel de Campanet.
Parking is next to the hermitage, but spaces are limited, so it pays to arrive early on days when the springs are active.
Opening hours
Opening hours are generally 10:00 to 17:00, though they may vary depending on the season and weather conditions. On days when the springs are flowing, a special protocol is activated and IBANAT staff manage access and guide visitors.
Once inside, a short circular trail leads to the spring area and the interpretation centre. The full loop takes roughly one hour, making it an ideal outing for families with children.
Price and accessibility
One of the best things about Ses Fonts Ufanes is that ticket is completely free. As a public estate managed by the Balearic Government, there is no entry fee of any kind. That makes it one of the best value excursions on the whole island.
The site is accessible for people with reduced mobility, with an adapted route using Joëlette chairs, a free service coordinated by Red Cross volunteers. If you wish to use this service, you must contact them at least three weeks in advance.
The interpretation centre, housed in the estate’s old livestock shelters, screens short films about the hydrogeological phenomenon and has public toilets.
Flora, fauna and the Gabellí Petit oak forest
Beyond the water, the real permanent star of this site is its holm-oak forest (Quercus ilex), a shady, damp woodland with a rich undergrowth of mastic bushes (Pistacia lentiscus), strawberry trees (Arbutus unedo) and endemic species such as the Balearic cyclamen (Cyclamen balearicum), a botanical gem found only in the Balearics and the south of France.
Scattered through the vegetation are the remains of a prehistoric talayot, proof of human presence in the area dating back thousands of years, along with old charcoal-burners’ huts that speak of the forest’s traditional uses.
Wildlife is varied and discreet: pine martens, genets, robins, chaffinches and birds of prey such as kestrels and sparrowhawks are regularly seen or heard on the estate.
If you enjoy discovering natural spots across the island, we recommend our article on Playa des Coll Baix: wild nature for the adventurous, another corner of Mallorca at its most unspoilt.
Tips for your visit and Natural Monument rules
Ses Fonts Ufanes is a protected and fragile environment. To enjoy it without causing harm, keep a few practical tips in mind.
Wear waterproof footwear, especially if the springs have been active, as the paths can be flooded and muddy in many areas. A light waterproof jacket is also a good idea, since active springs mean recent rain.
Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead at all times. Bicycles and horses are not allowed during spring-flow episodes. Picking plants, disturbing wildlife and leaving any kind of rubbish, including organic waste, are all prohibited.
On days when the springs are flowing, estate staff guide visitors with specific instructions to ensure safety and minimise environmental impact. Following those instructions is essential to keep this phenomenon accessible for everyone.
And if you would like to round off your day discovering another of Mallorca’s great underground treasures, the Cuevas dels Hams in Porto Cristo offer an experience rooted in the very same geological essence of the island: water, limestone and millions of years of natural history beneath your feet.
Frequently asked questions about Ses Fonts Ufanes
When do Ses Fonts Ufanes burst in Mallorca?
Ses Fonts Ufanes burst 24 to 48 hours after heavy, sustained rainfall in the Serra de Tramuntana, usually between October and March. The phenomenon typically occurs two or three times a year and has no fixed date, as it depends entirely on the weather. To catch it, follow local Mallorcan news and hiking accounts that tend to report it quickly.
How much does it cost to visit Ses Fonts Ufanes in Campanet?
Visiting Ses Fonts Ufanes is completely free. The Gabellí Petit estate is publicly owned and charges no entry fee. No booking is required, except for the Joëlette wheelchair service for visitors with reduced mobility, which is arranged through the Red Cross at least three weeks in advance.
Can you bring dogs to Ses Fonts Ufanes?
Yes, dogs are allowed but must be kept on a lead at all times. This rule is mandatory to ensure the safety of all visitors and the protection of the wildlife that inhabits the Gabellí Petit oak forest.
What are the opening hours of Ses Fonts Ufanes?
El acceso a la finca de Gabellí Petit está abierto generalmente de 10:00 a 17:00 horas. El recorrido circular completo dura aproximadamente una hora y es de baja dificultad, apto para familias con niños. En días de afloramiento puede haber personal del IBANAT gestionando los accesos para garantizar una visita segura y ordenada.