WHAT TO PACK FOR THE DRY STONE ROUTE (GR221): A COMPLETE GUIDE.
Packing for the GR221 is a balance between being prepared for the mountains and keeping your bag light enough to enjoy the long, often challenging days, without cursing your backpack.
This route takes you high into the Serra de Tramuntana, where conditions can change quickly. Cool mornings, exposed ridgelines, and steep descents are all part of the experience.
I know that many people do choose to camp on the GR221 – this guide is for anyone staying in either the refuges or private accommodation, rather than camping.
So, first off – you don’t need camping gear! But, you do need to be ready for varied terrain and weather. We walked the route in April and, while we had incredible sunshine, we know that the weather can change on a dime in the mountains, and we wanted to be ready for that.
Here’s my complete GR221 packing list, with a few lessons learned along the way.
Gear
Backpack Size: A 30 to 40 litre pack is ideal. Anything bigger is unnecessary and you’ll only end up carrying more than you need. Honestly, we met a few hikers with 50 litre plus bags, and they were struggling.
Rain cover: Essential. Even if the forecast looks good, mountain weather can turn quickly and you’ll want to protect everything in your bag.
Trail shoes: We wore HOKAs and found them absolutely fine. They are lightweight, breathable, and comfortable in the heat. You’ll want to make sure any footwear has a good grip.
Hiking boots: Around 75% of people we saw were wearing more robust boots. If you have any ankle issues or prefer extra stability, they’re a good choice.
The key thing is to choose something breathable and well broken-in. And, absolutely avoid bare foot shoes or hiking sandals – the terrain is rocky and these would not work!
Socks: 2 pairs of good hiking socks (wool not cotton). Wash and rotate daily.
Hiking poles: We didn’t pack them and wished we had. Some of the descents, especially into Deià, are long, steep, and relentless. Poles would have made a big difference to knees and confidence. But, it’s a personal choice.
Clothing
Hiking Clothes
Stick to the “one to wear, one to wash” rule. You’ll likely be washing things most evenings.
- 2 tops or t-shirts, lightweight and sweat-wicking. (I avoided sleeveless for this route as I didn’t want too much sun on my shoulders.)
- 1 to 2 pairs of shorts (I went for 1 and washed them regularly)
- 1 pair of hiking trousers, useful but not always necessary. I didn’t wear mine for hiking in the end but did wear them in the evening.
- 1 or 2 sports bras for ladies (I took one and washed it regularly)
- 2 to 3 pairs of underwear
- 2 pairs of hiking socks
- A sun hat and sunglasses
Avoid cotton. It holds moisture and becomes uncomfortable quickly.
UV layer: A lightweight long-sleeved top is worth packing if you are sensitive to the sun. The exposure on this route is significant.
Layers
This route requires a bit more thought when it comes to layering.
Light waterproof jacket: Essential. Showers and wind at altitude are very possible. Even if you don’t wear it hiking, the mornings and evenings will require it in spring or autumn.
Mid-layer or warm layer: You’ll want something warmer for early starts, higher sections, and cooler evenings. I packed a very lightweight fleece. Or instead, you could pack a lightweight sweater if you want something smarter for the evenings that you can also layer when hiking.
Hat and gloves: Not needed for most walkers in April, May, September, or October. If you are walking earlier or later in the season, they are worth packing. We brought woolly hats for cool mornings and evenings in the refuges and used them a few times.
Evening Clothing
Refuges are very relaxed and casual.
If you’re staying in refuges:
- Flip flops, sandals, or Crocs are ideal, especially for cold floors and tired feet
- Clean, casual clothes for dinner. Nothing fancy is needed. It can just be spare hiking clothing.
If you’re staying in villages or private accommodation:
- A lightweight evening outfit such as trousers or a dress is useful if you plan to go out for dinner.
Sleeping
This is something we got slightly wrong.
Refuges provide duvets, but for hygiene reasons you will need either:
- To rent sheets, around €4.50 per night
- Or bring something to sleep in
We packed sleeping bags and this was unnecessary. A sleep sheet is the ideal solution. It is lightweight, compact, and all you really need. I would absolutely do this differently next time.
PJs: Useful for refuges, optional in private accommodation (each to their own!)
Earplugs and an eye mask: Refuges can be very noisy, earplugs are essential and an eye mask useful to avoid lights waking you up.
Swimming and Extras
If you are walking coast to coast from Port d’Andratx to Port de Pollença, you may get opportunities to swim.
Swimwear: Worth packing. I used mine three times in April, but we had great weather.
Towel: Trek towel, needed if staying in refuges unless you want to rent one for €2. Optional for private stays, but useful if you plan to visit the beach.
Small bag: I find it helpful to pack a small canvas tote bag that I can use in the evenings. In refuges, there isn’t anywhere to store valuables, so I tended to keep mine in my canvas bag over dinner. Also helpful if you go out for the evening.
Packing cubes: Personally, I find it much easier on long-distance hikes to organise my gear into packing cubes. One contains clothing and the other everything I need when I arrive to accommodation (towel, toiletries, chargers, pjs etc.)
Entertainment: Podcasts, audiobooks, TV shows and headphones can be super helpful for the evenings. We also pack playing cards.
Provisions
Water is one of the most important considerations on the GR221.
Carry plenty each day, especially on longer or more remote stages. Do not assume regular refill points unless you have planned for them. For longer days without stops, we carried 3 litres each.
Electrolytes can be helpful, particularly on hotter days and longer climbs. I honestly wished I’d packed them.
Tip: there are many days when you’ll need to pack a picnic and provisions. Find our daily stages guide here for more info.
- Power bank, essential if using your phone for navigation (keep in mind that it can be difficult to charge devices at refuges consistently.)
- Downloaded offline maps, signal can be unreliable in the mountains (we used All Trails)
- Head torch, useful for early starts or low light but also as a mountain safety device. Mountain whistle, a small but worthwhile safety item (we have them on keyrings on our backpacks.)
- Phone, charger (a long cable can be useful in the refuges), and European adapter.
Toiletries and Personal Items
Keep things minimal.
- Travel-size toiletries
- SPF lip balm
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant
- Sunscreen, Waterproof SPF 50 is what we used.
- Basic cosmetics if you want them
Bug spray is not really necessary, but can still be useful depending on the season.
Tip: pack your toiletries in a drawstring bag, this is easier to hang up in the shower cubicles.
First Aid and Health
A small kit is enough but we would recommend packing something:
- Plasters and blister plasters
- Blister prevention system (I use Vaseline)
- A small bandage
- Antibacterial wipes
- Painkillers
- Antihistamines
- Any personal medication.
Final Thoughts on Packing
The GR221 is rugged and varied, and your packing should reflect that. You need to be ready for heat, exposure, and the occasional chill at altitude without carrying more than necessary.
- Pack layers rather than bulk
- Do not skip the rain cover
- Bring poles if you find descents tricky
- Leave the sleeping bag at home (but a sleep sheet is a great addition).
More GR221 guides
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
British travel writer and long-distance hiker, native to Kent. Emma has walked the Camino de Santiago more than ten times, completed trails across Europe from the Corfu Trail to the Fisherman’s Trail, and covered thousands of kilometres on foot. She always writes from first-hand experience. Her goal? Inspire just one person to go on their first long-distance hike.
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