The beautiful, unspoilt San Mateo valley is in the far north of the island. Physically the valley is very similar to the crown valley of Sant Agnes, but without the multitude of almond trees. Instead it is largely cultivated, although sparsely populated with just the occasional finca dotted around the forest of the surrounding hills.
For this reason each finca has a fabulous view over the valley, although this is more likely to be to afford an early view of approaching unexpected visitors in days gone by, than for aesthetic reasons.
The valley is breathtakingly peaceful with barely a sound in the air but birdsong and snatches of distant conversation. In the patchwork of fields spread across the flat base of the valley one can make out a scattered handful of local farmers bent double tending their crops. No labour saving machinery here to spoil the almost perfect silence.
Apart from the tiny hamlet of San Mateo the only noteworthy public venue is the Es Trull Restaurant, which sits at the northern end of the valley. One of the very few restaurants in this area open for business throughout the winter....
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