THE BEST CYCLING ROUTES IN MALLORCA
The climbs, the coast roads and the flat lanes in between — and how hard each one really is.
WHY MALLORCA
Mallorca packs a proper mountain range (the Serra de Tramuntana), a flat agricultural interior (the Pla) and a jagged coastline into an island you can cross in a morning. Smooth tarmac, drivers who see hundreds of cyclists a day in season, and cafe stops everywhere. It's the default winter base for European pro teams for a reason.
THE BIG CLIMBS
| Climb | Length | Avg gradient | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sa Calobra (Coll dels Reis) | 9.5 km | ~7% | The icon. 26 hairpins, a 270° spiral bridge, dead-end road so you descend it first. |
| Puig Major (from Sóller) | ~14 km | ~6% | The island's highest road. Long, steady, tunnels near the top. |
| Cap de Formentor | ~20 km rolling | Varies | Not one climb — a switchbacking peninsula road to the lighthouse. Exposure and views. |
| Coll de sa Batalla | ~8 km | ~5% | The workhorse. Links the Pla to the mountains; you'll ride it most days from the north. |
| Coll de Femenia | ~7.5 km | ~5.5% | The other gate into the Tramuntana from Pollença. Smooth and rhythmic. |
Gradients are averages — every one of these has steeper ramps inside it.
THREE ROUTES WORTH BUILDING A DAY AROUND
1. The Sa Calobra out-and-back (roughly 90-120 km from Port de Pollença)
Over Femenia or sa Batalla, along the Ma-10 past the Gorg Blau reservoir, then down the famous descent to the sea — and the only way back is up the 9.5 km climb you just came down. Save something for it. The climb is steady rather than vicious; the challenge is that it comes 80 km into the day.
2. The Formentor peninsula (40-60 km from Port de Pollença)
Shorter but relentless — the road to the lighthouse never sits still. Climb to the Mirador es Colomer early before the coach traffic, then ride the rollercoaster out to the cape. In summer the road is closed to private cars during the day, which makes it even better.
3. The Pla loop (flat, as long as you like)
The interior grid of lanes through Sineu, Petra and Santa Margalida is where you do your zone 2. Almost no traffic, windmills, almond blossom in February. This is the day that makes the mountain days possible.
PRACTICAL NOTES
- Ride the climbs early. Sa Calobra's descent gets busy with hire cars and cyclists from mid-morning.
- The Tramuntana is noticeably cooler than the coast — carry a gilet for the descents even in May.
- Water: fountains are scarce in the mountains. Fill up in Sóller, Caimari or Lluc.
- Wind matters more than rain. A northerly turns the Formentor road into hard work.
- You don't need to be a racer. A compact chainset and a 32t (or bigger) cassette makes all of this rideable for a mortal.
FAQ
What is the hardest climb in Mallorca?
Can beginners ride in Mallorca?
When is the best time to cycle in Mallorca?
TRAIN FOR THE CLIMBS BEFORE YOU FLY
Sa Calobra rewards anyone who can hold a steady threshold effort for 40 minutes. LuftQuest's free structured workouts build exactly that — no subscription, just a turbo and some spite.