Ride in the footsteps of co-owner Sander on his cycling holiday to the ‘cycling paradise’ Mallorca. In the past few days you could already watch Part 1 and part 2. Today we continue with part III of Mallorca Diary. Enjoy, because this edition is one to remember! Cycling in Spain and especially cycling on Mallorca is a real treat.
Cap de Formentor at a glance
- Route: from Port de Pollença to the lighthouse on the northern tip of Mallorca, almost 18 kilometres one way.
- Character: not one long climb, but constantly up and down, with sections up to 9%. You ride back the same way.
- Views: the Mirador des Colomer right after the first climb, and the cliffs by the lighthouse.
- Traffic: in high season the last stretch to the lighthouse is closed to cars during the day.
- Best time: early in the morning, before the hire cars and buses arrive.
Updated in October 2026 with the key facts and practical tips. The story below is our original article.
Cycling to the farthest point on Mallorca
It seems as if Mallorca only has ‘dead-end climbs’. Sa Calobra, La Victoria and now again. The route to Cap de Formentor is one that ends in the sea. Well, the road ends at the Formentor lighthouse. Of course you can debate about it, but this is one of the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful route on Mallorca. A must-ride if you’re going to cycle on Mallorca. From Port de Pollença it’s almost 18 kilometers of pure pleasure. Today it was on the program!
Cap de Formentor
Started early, won a lot
Once again, an early start to the day. The weather forecasts are a bit iffy. You have to take that with a grain of salt, because ‘bad weather’ here is still a degree or two cloudy. In short, the dress code is a vest for the first part of the day. As I cycle towards Port de Pollença, I already see a few cyclists. I think more people have the wicked plan to ride this route and rightly so. From Port de Pollença, you initially ride along a wide boulevard towards the start of the climb to Col de la Creueta, which is clearly marked.
Beautiful start
The first kilometer of the Col de la Creueta is one to enjoy. Within a few hundred meters you’ll hit the first hairpin bends and the view is just as amazing. You’ll see the bay between Pollença and Alcudia. As I start climbing upwards, it’s still relatively quiet. I picked up a local who’ll ride alongside me up the hill. The slopes are really gentle and for me this climb takes about 20 minutes. It’s good to get started and you’ll also have great photo opportunities right away. I’m quite familiar with the climb because I’ve already ridden it indoors on Road Grand Tours (RGT Cycling) several times.
The road winds up the hill nicely and you quickly find yourself surrounded by fellow cyclists. As we go along, I meet two British cyclists from Somerset. It’s not even necessary to exchange names. We have a common ground, the bicycle. We therefore talk for almost half an hour with each other. Delicious.
Twisting towards the lighthouse
Once on top, I make a stop for a few photos. There is also the option to turn right, towards the last stretch of the Sa Creueta. I’ll save that for a later time. My new British friends need to adjust their saddles a bit. That of course leads to some familiar jokes. We continue together and are immediately treated to a number of beautiful hairpin bends. A delight for the experienced downhill rider.
Interlude
The descent is relatively short and then there is a slightly longer stretch that runs up partly flat and partly downhill. Here you often come across a group of goats, so you have to be careful. Also this time the local goat herd is present. Fortunately they are somewhat used to it; these four-legged creatures. They get off on time.
What’s also lovely: the cloudiness is slowly fading away and the views are getting more beautiful by the minute. Because you’re cruising over a kind of long, pointed peninsula, you have one time a view of the sea on the left and the other time on the right. Sometimes you just have to stop for a moment to enjoy the view. Both I and many others with me do that for a moment. It’s amazing.
Friendships are built that way
Climbing to the top
Starting about 7 kilometers before the end, you are presented with the maximum gradient of 9%. You actually don't feel it at all because the road keeps going up and down. It goes in a rhythm of 1.5 kilometers uphill, a few hundred meters downhill, then again 1.5 uphill and so on. The last stretch is then a smooth descent with 500 meters before the lighthouse, followed by a tricky climb. The final kilometer can be taken at a leisurely pace, but you can also take the time to take the ultimate shot of the lighthouse. Made countless times, but it still remains stunning. Additionally, this day has the benefit of the last 3 kilometers being closed to car traffic. That's quite unusual and that's why today is extra beautiful!
Beautiful from afar! 
Formentor in all its beauty
Turning point
Because the Formentor is a climb with a dead end, it really is a turning point. Cyclists stop here to have a drink (from the small kiosk), take a quick shower and for the photos. You also see a kind of friendship forming. Groups of cyclists ask to take photos of each other. I get approached because I’m wearing a certain brand of outfit. It turns out that the person who approaches me is the ambassador. What follows is a nice conversation, with the bike as the beautiful subject. That’s the kind of atmosphere you want to have. Furthermore, this is truly a ‘quintessential’ photo spot.
A beautiful interplay of lines 
This photo has been taken many times
The road to Formentor is also the road back to your starting point. Beautiful
Return journey
The advantage of such a dead-end climb is that you have already explored the way back. You can also scan some photo spots on the way up. That is a real advantage, especially for the content creators. The weather is really fantastic this day. Everyone I briefly talk to mentions it. The locals also agree: this is the perfect day.
We roll back down again and then we have to go up again. The view from there is beautiful and I take a few more photos from my hip. This continues continuously, the rest of the descent towards the final stretch of climbing to La Creueta. The result can definitely be good.
Up and then back down again
At the bottom of the final climb, it’s time to switch gears again. After a somewhat longer descent, the legs need to get used to the steep sections again. It’s still a tricky stretch and I’m glad to be back on top. This time I don’t take the time to take photos. I’ve also arranged to meet the rest of the family at the beach in Pollença. So I quickly head down. The descent is fairly straightforward but at this time of day (11 a.m.) it’s really busy. A lot of cyclists and also a lot of cars. Not everyone seems to know the rules from the traffic exam course yet. So be very careful. Especially when the yellow-red district bus comes around the corner.
View on the descent to Port de Pollença
Once down there, I ride to a tent on the beach. I park my bike, order a coffee, and on the edge of the terrace I can sit with my feet in the sand. When the rest of my traveling companions (wife and children) arrive a little later, the fun is complete. What a day. Cycling in Mallorca. I can recommend it to everyone.
Questions about Cap de Formentor
Is the ride to Formentor hard?
It is not too bad: about 36 kilometres there and back with a few hundred metres of climbing. It is mainly a ride to enjoy the views.
Can you get food or drinks along the way?
There is a café at the lighthouse, but bring enough water: there is little along the way.
Everything about cycling in Mallorca is on our destination page: Mallorca.
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.