Whether you are an amateur or a professional cyclist, you will want to experience the spectacular cycling routes on Mallorca. Many believe the island is the mecca of European cycling and with the number of cycling tourists now exceeding 150,000 per year and some professional teams setting up training bases here in winter, there is much evidence to support this claim. The warm and sunny climate in autumn, winter and spring together with a demanding landscape, well-surfaced roads and a developed infrastructure to cater to the needs of cyclists at all levels, the island has justifiably earned this title.
All over the island cyclists find beautiful quiet country roads calling out to be discovered and explored, some leading to historical castles, mountain top monasteries and lighthouses. Here are the routes you should not miss if you are visiting the island for a cycling holiday.
Sóller Tunnel: A famous route that takes you through a scenic tunnel to the charming town of Sóller.
Cycling the Coll de Soller climb is a ride that infatuates so many cyclists who flock to Mallorca. The southern ascent which is the shorter than the north offers 20 tight bends while the north side has almost 30 hairpins to contend with. The northern ascent can also be ridden straight from Port Soller giving you another 4km of climbing. It is not only a feat of engineering in the heart of the Tramuntana mountains, but a piece of cycling art, whichever side you choose to ride from.
Sa Calobra: A challenging climb with breathtaking views.
The Sa Calobra climb is Mallorca’s most famous, spectacular and, arguably, toughest cycling climb.
Sheer limestone cliff faces reach down to the turquoise sea. Weaving through the craggy lunar landscape, a feat of engineering and a work of art: a looping grey squiggle of silver tarmac that entices cyclists from across the globe.
The Sa Calobra road balances beauty with brawn. It’s one of the most picturesque routes in Europe, but it demands serious mental toughness since you have to ride all the way down it before you ride up it. Once you’re at the hamlet by the sea, there’s no alternative to the long climb back up (unless you catch a boat or hitch a lift…).
Cap de Formentor: Ride to the northernmost point of the island for stunning vistas
We think the Cap de Formentor lighthouse ride might indeed be Mallorca’s finest – especially now there are restrictions on cars and buses.
Formentor Mallorca is not an easy ride. At 35km long, it includes nearly 1,000m of climbing – but it combines this with dreamy views, impressive engineering, and near perfect tarmac. Sa Calobra may be the most famous ride on Mallorca, and Andratx to Pollenca may be (one of) the most challenging, but we think the Mallorca lighthouse ride has the most unforgettable scenery of all.
Coastal Roads: Explore the coastal roads for picturesque views of the Mediterranean.
The 110 km Tramuntana west coast road runs from Pollensa in the north to Andratx in the south and is arguably the most spectacular on Mallorca. This route climbs 2,520 metres taking you over Coll de Femenia, Puig Major (the highest point on Mallorca), Can Costa, Cap des Bosquet, es Grau, Coll de sa Gramola and finishing in the town of Andratx. Puig Major, the highest road on Mallorca, is 13.7 km with an 818-metre elevation and an average gradient of 6%.