Part of Spain › Balearic Islands
Mallorca has been Europe’s premier cycling island for decades. In February and March, there are more cyclists than cars on the roads of the Serra de Tramuntana; professional teams hold their training camps there, and the entire infrastructure is geared towards cyclists: from cycle-friendly hotels and bike hire companies to cafés with bike racks outside. And yet you can still find quiet roads there, if you know where to go. We’ve been there several times, including a week-long trip from Pollença and a trip with Ruben in February 2023.
Why ride on Mallorca?
- The Season From February to May and from September to mid-November, the weather there is lovely: around 20 degrees, dry roads and sunshine.
- Alles is geregeld. Bike hire, cycle-friendly hotels with repair and washing facilities, and motorists who are used to cyclists and give them space.
- Variety. De bergen van de Tramuntana, de golvende binnenlanden, de kustwegen en doodlopende klimmen naar vuurtorens en kloosters.
- Dichtbij. Vanaf Schiphol, Rotterdam en Eindhoven vlieg je in iets meer dan twee uur naar Palma.
Serra de Tramuntana
The mountain range along the north-west coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the heart of cycling in Mallorca. The MA-10 runs right through it from Pollença to Andratx, with one climb after another.
Sa Calobra
The island’s most famous climb, and a rather unusual one: you have to go downhill first. From the T-junction by the aqueduct, you descend via the famous knot-shaped hairpin bend (a 270-degree bend) down to the bay, and then you have to head back up. The climb is 9.5 kilometres long with an average gradient of 7 per cent and 26 hairpin bends, leading up to the Coll dels Reis at 682 metres. To get there, you first have to tackle another climb, such as the Puig Major, the Coll de Femenia or Sa Batalla. Go early or late in the day: buses run in the middle of the day, and they take the full time to complete the journey. Read about this Classic Ride - Sa Calobra.
Coll de Femenia, Sa Batalla en de Puig Major
Starting from Pollença, the Coll de Femenia is a brilliant training climb: 7.7 kilometres at a 5.5 per cent gradient on perfect tarmac. Via the monastery of Lluc, you join the Sa Batalla route, which you ride from Caimari with gradients of between 5 and 7 per cent and a descent full of hairpin bends. Puig Major is the island’s highest mountain; the road running beneath it is a long, steady climb ending in a tunnel. The descent to Sóller is one to attack.
Coll de Sóller en Sobremunt
The Coll de Sóller is 7.4 kilometres long with 417 metres of elevation gain (an average gradient of 5.7 per cent) and is virtually car-free, as cars use the tunnel whilst cyclists do not. Cycle there and back, and round off the day with some fish in the harbour at Sóller. For those looking for a steeper climb: Sobremunt, west of Palma, is 6.6 kilometres long with 585 metres of elevation gain, an average gradient of 9.8 per cent and peaks of up to 18 per cent. It’s tougher than Sa Calobra, and much quieter.
Cap de Formentor
For us, this is the most beautiful ride on the island. Starting from Port de Pollença, you first climb up to the Coll de sa Creueta, with hairpin bends straight away and views across the bay. The road then winds its way across a narrow peninsula to the lighthouse, with the sea alternating between left and right. It’s never really steep (maximum 9 per cent), but the undulating terrain means you’ll clock up plenty of altitude. Watch out for goats on the road. Set off early: the road to the lighthouse gets busy during the day. Read about Formentor here.
The quiet part of Mallorca
Those who want to escape the busy MA-10 cycling highway, have plenty of choice:
- Col de la Victoria. Een doodlopende klim op het schiereiland achter Alcúdia, met prachtige baaien en bijna niemand.
- Puig Santa Maria. Bij Pollença: 1,4 kilometer met 142 hoogtemeters en stukken tot 20 procent. Kort, maar pittig.
- Artà en Betlem. In het noordoosten klimt de Coll des Pescadors (2,5 kilometer aan 6,7 procent) naar de Ermita de Betlem, over een smal weggetje met haarspeldbochten. Rustig en prachtig.
- Het binnenland. Ruben raadt een ronde vanuit Sineu aan, langs het klooster van Sant Salvador en door Manacor. Stop bij wielercafé Sa Mola in Sineu.
- The South Around Castell de Santueri you can find smaller roads and a few punchy climbs
Onze racefietsroutes op Mallorca
Zeven routes die we zelf reden: van een herstelrondje langs de baai van Pollença tot de koninginnenrit over Lluc, Sa Calobra en de Puig Major. Download ze los of allemaal tegelijk.
Routecollectie · Racefiets
Road Cycling on Mallorca
- 7routes
- 53–137km per ride
- 2.644max. altitude meters
- 598km in total
- 1
Route 1 · 77,2 km · 2.381 hmMallorca: Sa Calobra vanuit Port de SóllerDe klassieker: via de Puig Major naar Sa Calobra en weer terug omhoog. 77 km, bijna 2.400 hoogtemeters.Map, profile & GPX of route 1 → - 2
Route 2 · 116,6 km · 2.644 hmMallorca: Lluc, Sa Calobra en de Puig MajorKoninginnenrit: Lluc, Sa Calobra, de Puig Major en de Coll de Sóller in één dag. 117 km, 2.600 hoogtemeters.Map, profile & GPX of route 2 → - 3
Route 3 · 55,2 km · 996 hmMallorca: Pollença, Coll de Femenia en LlucKorte bergrit: over de Coll de Femenia naar Lluc en via Sa Batalla terug. 55 km, 1.000 hoogtemeters.Map, profile & GPX of route 3 → - 4
Route 4 · 59,6 km · 1.147 hmMallorca: Cap de FormentorNaar de vuurtoren op de punt van Formentor, met uitzicht op zee aan beide kanten. 60 km, 1.150 hoogtemeters.Map, profile & GPX of route 4 → - 5
Route 5 · 53,4 km · 496 hmMallorca: Cala Molins en Cala Sant VicençHerstelrit langs de baai van Pollença naar de baaien van Cala Sant Vicenç. 53 km, 500 hoogtemeters.Map, profile & GPX of route 5 → - 6
Route 6 · 136,9 km · 1.670 hmMallorca: Sineu, Sant Salvador en BetlemLange rit door het rustige oosten: twee kloosters op een berg en de Ermita de Betlem. 137 km, 1.670 hoogtemeters.Map, profile & GPX of route 6 → - 7
Route 7 · 99,1 km · 912 hmMallorca: naar Artà en de Ermita de BetlemNaar Artà en de kluizenaarswoning van Betlem, en langs de baai van Alcúdia terug. 99 km, 900 hoogtemeters.Map, profile & GPX of route 7 →
Your Cycling base
- Pollença en Port de Pollença. Onze favoriet: sfeervol stadje, fietsverhuur in de haven, en je rijdt zo de Tramuntana in of naar Formentor.
- Alcúdia en Playa de Muro. There are plenty of cycle-friendly hotels, just before the entrance to the route and close to the north coast.
- Sóller. Midden in de bergen, met de haven om de hoek. Elke rit begint of eindigt met een klim.
- Palma. Stad, cultuur en het vliegveld om de hoek. Vlakker rijden langs de kust, en Sobremunt in de buurt.
Overnight stays and bike rental
Fietshotels vind je vooral in het noorden: El Vicenç de la Mar bij Cala Sant Vicenç, PortBlue Club Pollentia Resort & Spa en Hotel Hoposa Villaconcha in Port de Pollença, en Aparthotel VIVA Blue & Spa in Playa de Muro. Verhuurders zijn er genoeg; wij huurden meerdere keren bij Pro Cycle Hire in Port de Pollença. Een tip: veel verhuurders zijn Brits, dus check of de remmen ‘Europees’ zijn afgesteld. Reserveer in het voorjaar op tijd.
Mallorca in Winter
From December through to February, daytime temperatures in Mallorca are usually between 14 and 17 degrees. It’s not the height of summer, but with arm warmers and a windbreaker you can cycle here just fine whilst it’s freezing back home. You won’t be the only one: in January, many professional teams train here, and you might just bump into them on the Coll de Sóller or heading towards Sa Calobra. The advantage of winter is that the road to Sa Calobra is quiet, without the queues of buses you get in summer. From late January, the almond trees come into bloom and the inland areas around Sineu and Petra turn white and pink. Do bear in mind the rain, though: November and December are the wettest months, and it can be cold and wet around Puig Major.
What do you need to bring?
- Layers. Arm- and legwarmers and a rainjacket for the Tramuntana mountains
- Verlichting. For the Puig Major tunnel and the road to Cap de Formentor
- Light resistance. A compact front chainring if you want to cycle Sa Calobra and Puig Major in a single day.
When are you leaving?
February to May and September to mid-November. It is hot and busy in July and August.
February to May and September to mid-November. In February and March, the pros are there and the famous climbs are busy, but it’s also a lively time. It’s best to avoid July and August: it’s hot then and crowded with tourists. In winter, it can be chilly in the mountains and it sometimes rains.
How do you get there?
- Aircraft: There are direct flights all year round from major airports and smaller holiday airports to Palma, taking just over two hours. Bring your own bike or hire one when you get there.
- Auto en boot: rijd naar Barcelona en neem de veerboot naar Palma. Een mooie roadtrip, maar vooral handig als je lang blijft.
This is how we calculate: We calculate distances and travel times starting from Utrecht. Our flights always depart from Schiphol, Rotterdam The Hague Airport or Eindhoven Airport. Want to know how to travel from your place of residence the best way? Let us know, We are happy to help you. After all, we built this site together.
Are you flying? Read our guide Flying with your bike: Which airline, what the cost is and how to pack your bike.
