Co-owner Sander can be found in Mallorca these days. Where the first few days were reserved for new roads and the classic drive to Cap de Formentor, Today we had another beautiful route, via the Coll de Femenia and Sa Batalla that we don't want to forget. The weather provided beautiful, dramatic shots!
Femenia and Sa Batalla
From Pollença, the Tramuntana mountain range is literally at your feet. North of this beautiful, still authentic Mallorcan town you will find the MA-10. This road literally runs through the Serra de Tramuntana and features several beautiful ascents. First you have the Femenia, then the possibility to go to Sa Calobra, Puig Major, the road and climb to Deia and Valldemossa, Coll d’en Claret and the Coll de Sa Bastida. That is a monster route and usually reserved for true enthusiasts. Today I am riding a section of this route myself. On that route I climb the Femenia and then turn left to do the descent of Sa Batalla.
A little bit of self-discipline
While I’m planning the route, I see another hill just east of Pollença that I haven’t climbed yet. The Puig Santa Maria. On paper it doesn’t look like much. A few hundred meters up, a few meters of elevation gain, but on Komoot I see that it says: 19%. Oh well, I’ve cycled up Stockeu before and also done other steep climbs, so I’m not really afraid.
As I drive away from home, I see dark clouds gathering above the Mallorca mountains. Now I know from experience that those clouds usually drift away quickly. I am well equipped and a little rain doesn’t stop me. I keep the town on the left and at the sign for Puig Santa Maria I turn off the road. Immediately the air gets filled with fog. In 1.4 kilometers, 142 meters high. Calculate your own results. It’s the same at the beginning as 11-12%, so switch gears and find a bit of rhythm. What makes this climb so cool is a section with very short hairpin bends, where there’s only 50-60 meters between them. Back down, I found that completely useless, because you're standing in a 15%-degree angle. With the little bit of sleet that had fallen, I went down as Ilnur Zakarin. Fortunately, I kept the bike upright.
The rise between the houses is just steep! 
small hair clips
The climb is very irregular and you just have to keep going to get to the top. The meter only registers a maximum of 20.5%, so it is really steep. The view from the top is quite nice and the short but difficult descent is not for the faint-hearted.
On to Femenia
After leaving Pollença, the MA-10 takes me to the top of the Coll de Femenia and the Sa Batalla as the final peak. With 7.7 kilometers and an average elevation gain of 5.5%, the Femenia is a wonderful training climb. The roads are in excellent condition. Not super wide, but very well paved. There is plenty of visibility to allow for easy and good steering when descending and when riding uphill there are few curves that cause too much stress. The view of the valley towards Pollença and the sea at Port de Pollença is breathtaking. The mountain range between it is very rugged and I also recommend you really stop for a photo.
On my way up, I encounter a small rain shower. Not bad, but I still thought I would stay dry. I have a good rhythm and the last 1.5 kilometers, when the climb even slopes down a little, I even switch to the outer gear. A PR on Strava wasn’t in the cards with all those photo stops.
Once I’m up there, I take one last look around and enjoy the view for a while. The descent beckons. Well, actually, the descent is only very short. Because pretty soon it flattens out and, when we reach the monastery of Lluc (at 1:15 p.m., the boys’ choir sings here), we go up again for a bit. The last hundred meters to the T-junction are still a descent, but that’s not quite satisfying.
Sa Batalla, downhill
Fortunately, there is the Sa Batalla. The Coll de Femenia and the Sa Batalla actually follow each other. When you ride up this climb from Camari, it is pure pleasure. It is not steep, beautiful asphalt and beautiful views. It is actually a maximum of 7% uphill and generally between 5 and 6% with a bit of flat ground.
Downhill is probably more fun. I’ve done this downhill a few times and the hairpin sections (there are several of them) are really enjoyable. You do have to be careful with oncoming traffic, though, because they sometimes want to take a turn inside the track. Before you know it, you’re unintentionally on the motorcycle’s hood.
Today the road surface is a bit wet due to the rain, so I’m taking it slow. I also have more time to take photos. Actually, I don’t really know where to click on all those beautiful places. There are so many beautiful places. That sometimes makes it seem a bit haphazardly shot. But overall, it’s pure enjoyment. The sun comes out every now and then, and that creates beautiful, dramatic shots. In terms of traffic, it’s quite calm. That could also have something to do with the Mallorca 312, which is also taking place today. This monster race isn’t for everyone and takes you on a journey of over 300 kilometers through the most beautiful places on the island.
Rain is psychological
Once in Caimari, I drive through a back road towards Campanet. The road is top-notch; there are no cars on the road and you can still enjoy the surroundings for a while. When I want to drive back onto the main road, I am stopped. This is where ‘la Cabeza de Carrera’ comes along. I am not allowed to drive through here. My basic Spanish and my friendly Dutch smile work wonders. I am allowed to continue. But two kilometers later, I am still stuck. The police have me by the hand and still pull me off the road. Too bad, but not a nice ride through the Cami Vell de Campanet…but via a rough route along the highway towards Sa Pobla. Oh well, what could go wrong?.
Besides the fact that it literally gets pouring down. Rain is psychologically said someone once, but with my feet planted firmly on the ground I can take the last 10 kilometers towards Pollença. The waves are still rolling in there and then I can turn left at the golf course. To the back roads and on to a warm shower. Despite the rain I still enjoyed myself a lot today!
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.