The 10 most demanding cycling routes in Mallorca
If you have arrived here because you are looking for the challenges that Mallorca has to offer by bicycle, you came to the right place.
In addition to the sun, beach and good weather, Mallorca is considered one of the most important places in Europe for lovers of two wheels. It offers an endless number of routes with all kinds of difficulties and adapted to all levels, from amateur to professional.
This time, however, we have increased the level of difficulty. In this article, written by our cycling professionals, we present in detail the 10 most outstanding cycling tours in Mallorca.
We start with the easy routes until we get to the difficult ones at the end. Now let's climb the peaks.
Easy mountain tours in Mallorca
Coll d’Honor
We start this list with the beautiful Coll d'Honor. The trail begins in the streets of Bunyola and leads along a narrow, winding route at an altitude of 542m to a small jewel of the Serra de Tramuntana: the village of Orient.
The ascent leads through the Alzines and the green landscape, which offers you a pleasant cooling on hot days.
At the summit of the Coll d'Honor, we will have covered 346 metres in altitude after climbing six kilometres with an average gradient of 5.7%. However, there are numerous ramps that have a higher ascent.
Coll d’Orient
On the other side, starting from Alaró, is the Coll d'Orient. A less curved road, somewhat wider and with better pavement than the Coll d'Honor. There is less shade, although it is also present in many sections.
After 5.2 kilometres with a five percent gradient, we reach 498 metres in altitude. In the middle of the route and shortly before the end of the pass, there are occasional moments of calm with a lower ascent.
The total difference in altitude is 262 metres. Once at the summit, you reach the village of Orient via a short descent.
If you continue, you will find a path that leads up to the Coll d'Honor already mentioned.
Coll de Sóller (desde Buñola)
This time we leave the streets of Bunyola and drive to the outskirts of Sóller to reach the Coll de Sóller. The winding, shady roads offer spectacular views of the city of Palma, its bay and the surrounding area throughout the climb.
The start is marked by a short but steep curve, from there we pedal steadily throughout the climb until we reach an altitude of over 500 metres.
During the five kilometres with a gradient of five percent, we will overcome more than 250 metres of altitude, between curves and olive trees that will accompany us to the top.
Moderately difficult mountain tours in Mallorca
Coll de Sóller (desde Soller)
Same end, different route. This time we will have to go down to the village of Sóller (a must-see village in the Serra de Tramuntana).
Surrounded by mountains and immersed in a valley, this corner never leaves anyone who visits it unimpressed.
We start at the Sóller exit. After the roundabout, a signpost indicates the beginning of the Coll, and this is where the most beautiful part begins. The first kilometres are on a wide road, more or less busy, but with room to ride on the shoulder. As soon as you see the tunnel, it is forbidden for cyclists to ride. Therefore, turn left onto a narrower road with little traffic. After a few metres, we enter a grove of holm oaks, from which we do not come out until almost the end of the pass.
The shadow makes the climb more pleasant in the summer months, but in the wet seasons moss can make the path slippery, so you must be especially careful in the many curves.
On the eight kilometres with an average gradient of just over five percent, we leave Sóller behind us and climb to an height of 484 metres. In the process, we cover around 450 metres in altitude to reach the summit, where the view of the Mallorcan capital awaits us.
Coll de Sa Batalla
Another gate to the Serra de Tramuntana. This time we drive to the village of Caimari to begin our next ascent.
The first few metres are on the road that runs through the village, which we soon leave behind us to take the first bends of the pass.
The route has a constant gradient for the first four kilometres, followed by a short break with flat sections and an easy descent that ends with a few kilometres of steeper gradient near the monastery of Lluc.
After about eight kilometres with a gradient of five percent, we have to overcome about 400 metres of altitude, so that we are almost 600 metres above sea level. At the end of the path, you will find the restaurants Coll de Sa Bataia and Ca'n Gallet, where you can fortify yourself - you deserve it!
Talaia d’Albercutx
We are going back to the 17th century. It's time to explore this medieval watchtower from 1629.
We start at Pollença harbour in the direction of Playa de Formentor to reach the first ramps of La Creueta. This climb of almost three kilometres with a gradient of six percent leads to the Colomer viewpoint, which is one of the main destinations of the Challenge Mallorca and a necessary stop if you want to reach the Talaia d' Albercutx.
After leaving the first steep section behind us, we turn right to tackle the last part of this climb. This has a rough surface, so this part of the trail must be climbed carefully.
One kilometre after the Mirador, there is a short stretch with a steeper incline, but with magnificent views of the bays of Pollença and Formentor, until a final bend a few metres before the destination.
La Talaia is 380 metres above sea level and we have to cover about 5.5 kilometres of path with a gradient of more than six percent if we want to view the spectacular scenery.
Port de Valldemossa
For this route, we travel to one of the wonders of the Serra de Tramuntana: the municipality of Valldemossa.
Behind this beautiful town is a small fishing port that can only be reached via this road. With a length of more than six kilometres and an average gradient of five percent, this route is more difficult than it seems at first glance. With sections that will test your skills on the 311 metres of difference in altitude.
We will descend to the pass with caution and paying attention to the innumerable bends and narrowing of the road.
Once there, we start the ascent along the same road.
The first kilometre will be quite tough and the route will continue with a slight descent for a few minutes.
In the following kilometres, the gradient does not drop below seven percent and there are several sections that become even steeper until the route finally reaches the finish.
However, this is a highly recommended pass in a privileged corner of Mallorca that will not disappoint.
Coll de Femenia
In the beautiful municipality of Pollença, take the Ma-10 (a road that runs through the entire Serra de Tramuntana) until kilometre six, just after the start of the Coll de Femenia.
The first part is an ascent to the vineyards of Mortitx, about four kilometres practically constant between six and seven percent, followed by two kilometres of "rest" with descents and flat sections.
This last section takes us to an altitude of 515 metres, after climbing 424 metres.
During the climb, you will leave Pollença behind and when you reach Mortitx, you will enjoy a magnificent view of the municipality.
When you reach the top and have completed the almost eight kilometres with a 5.5% gradient, you will be very close to the monastery of Lluc and the aforementioned Coll de Sa Batalla.
Difficult mountain tours in Mallorca
Puig Major
We start again in Sóller and reach the Monnàber tunnel, where we ride very close to the mountain that gives this climb its name: Puig Major.
At 1445 metres, this mountain is the highest point in the entire Balearic archipelago. Unfortunately, the road leading to the summit is a military road and therefore closed to the public.
Nevertheless, this 14.5 km long pass is the longest on the island, with an average gradient of five percent and a drop of over 850m, leading up to an altitude of 871 metres.
This time we leave the valley of Sóller behind us, on a constant gradient without much variation and accompanied by the generous shade of the pine trees. Before kilometre six, we take a short break with a few flat metres, shortly after which we pass the Ses Barques viewpoint.
We continue uphill and at kilometre eight we pass through a small tunnel, followed by a short descent to complete the last five kilometres of the pass, without any complicated sections, but with gradients between six and seven percent.
The Monnàber tunnel, which is on the last few metres, marks the end of this climb, and from the viewpoint located before the top of the pass, you can see the entire Sóller valley - a real treat!
Sa Calobra
We end this list with the best of everything. At the top of this list is the mythical Sa Calobra climb, a must for any cyclist visiting the island.
The 10-kilometre route, with an average gradient of almost seven per cent, is very demanding and leads in switchbacks more than 700 metres above the sea.
From Port de Sa Calobra, we quickly climb a moderate gradient that hardly gives us a break until we reach the top.
Before the third kilometre, we pass Penyal Bernat, a visible and beautiful rocky narrowing where the road loses width and increases in gradient.
After a few metres, the gradient drops slightly for a short while as we cross a pine forest before the shade ends for the rest of the climb. There are no major changes until the seventh kilometre, which is characterised by a series of curves and steep slopes. Once you reach the Nus de sa Corbata (so called because of the curious shape of the road, which resembles an arch), it is only a few hundred metres to the summit of the Coll dels Reis. This is a final stretch with a constant eight per cent, where the wind is usually present.
Recommendation: due to the lack of shade, the harshness of the climb and the Road utilisation in the summer months, it is advisable to make the climb in the early hours of the morning or during cooler and less crowded times