Where is the Best Cycling Mallorca

Mallorca is a popular destination for cyclists, but where is the best cycling in Mallorca? Well, it depends on what you are after. It is full of beautiful landscapes, challenging terrain and rural flatlands so we have broken down our guide by the style of riding and the terrain, so you can best decide how you want to explore Mallorca.

The Serra De Tramuntana Mountains

There really is only one place to start when looking for the best cycling in Mallorca and that is the famous Serra de Tramuntana mountain range. The mountains span the entire west coast from Andratx in the south west, to Cap Formentor at the very northerly point of the island.

The mountains are world famous in the cycling community and they are where most of the pros train during the winter and shoulder seasons. There are so many great routes in the Tramuntana that it’s impossible to list them all out but we have put together a few of our favourite Mallorca climbs and routes. For more information on the best climbs in the Tramuntana, check out our top 10 climbs in Mallorca.

Sa Calobra

Cycling Sa Calobra is not only one of the most challenging routes on the island of Mallorca, but it’s also one of the most scenic. The route offers cyclists stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea from almost the entire route down the climb to the port, which is your start point.

As you ascend the 10k climb, you will encounter an average gradient of 7%, with some sections reaching up to 9%. The hairpin turns are a highlight of the route, with 26 in total, each offering a new perspective of the breathtaking views.

The climb to Sa Calobra is not for the faint of heart. Whilst it’s no Alpine climb, it’s relentless until you reach the famous tie knot and then it’s a sprint to the top of the Coll de Reis. The Strava KOM is held by Tom Pidcock who put down a leg breaking 22:46 in December 2022. How close can you come to that!?

For more information on cycling Sa Calobra, click here.

Cap Formentor

Right at the very north west of the island is the famous Cap Formentor cycling route. Possibly the best 40km route in Europe, this out and back ride will take you across the headland to the lighthouse and back.

The route starts in the town of Port de Pollensa and offers some spectacular riding through pine forests, across jagged cliff edges and through its famous tunnels (don’t forget your lights!). You will know when you rech the end of the route because there’s nowhere left to ride! Insteadm the imposing Cap Formentor lighthouse will signal the end of the route and you can enjoy panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and the surrounding mountains.

Cycling Cap Formentor is a challenging yet rewarding ride that offers cyclists a unique opportunity to experience the natural beauty of Mallorca. The stunning views and the sense of accomplishment that comes with completing the climb make it a must-do for any cyclist visiting the island.

Learn more with with our handy guide to cycling Cap Formentor.

The Best Routes & Climbs In The Mountains

We have an entire section dedicated to Mallorca’s best climbs so we won’t list each ride but our favourite route in the Tramuntana is one that takes in the very best of the climbs. It’s a 135km route with 2,580m of climbing, so a hell of a day in the saddle for anyone and we have added the GPX file below which you are free to download and follow.

From Port Pollensa, the bets place to stay for any cycling holiday in Mallorca, you’ll ride towards Pollensa and then leave the mountains behind. While this section of the ride is typically flat with no real climbs, it’s a favorite among cyclists due to the peaceful and scenic route. You’ll ride past orange groves and almond blossoms, with a few traditional rural fincas dotting the horizon, while the quiet roads lead towards Campanet. On the right, the foothills of the Tramuntana provide a stunning backdrop. If time permits, a visit to the 10 million-year-old Campanet caves is worth it, where guided tours take you deep underground into another world.

The next leg of the Mallorca cycling tour takes you to Coll d’Orient, a relatively gentle climb of 5km at approximately 5%. It leads out of the Orient valley and into the heart of the Tramuntana with a straight climb that bears west towards Orient for the last few kilometers. After the climb, a lovely descent into the town of Orient, a typically Mallorcan town awaits. From here, the climb to Coll d’Honor is an easy one at only about 4km with an average gradient of 5%. The descent to Bunyola is rapid and straightforward, leading up north to the ascent of the shorter and less steep southern side of the 5km-long Coll de Soller.

This tough section of the loop includes the climb up Puig Major, one of the highlights of any cycling holiday in Mallorca. At just shy of 15 kilometers with an average gradient of just over 6%, the climb provides unrivaled views, especially at the lookout just before the Monnaber tunnel. After the descent past the lakes, the ride kicks up before the turning down to Sa Calobra, the most famous climb on the island known for its stunning switchbacks and tough ascent. The final 25 kilometers back to Port Pollensa will be relatively chilled with very little elevation. You will pass through Pollensa and arrive back at the port, where you can grab a beer and reflect on the fact that you will have ridden one of Mallorca’s best cycling routes and climbed nearly all of Mallorca’s most famous climbs.

Ride any of the climbs and the best of Mallorca on our Mallorca Cycling Holiday.

The Coastal Routes

Mallorca’s coasts are some of the most spectacular in Europe. The island boasts over 550 km of coastline, offering riders a variety of scenic routes with views of crystal-clear waters and stunning cliffs. cThe routes cover some flat riding, some epic mountainous riding and some awesome beaches.

Beaches

Let’s start with the beaches. There is one winner and that is the south east coastline featuring Es Trenc beach.

The ride takes you from the beach of Es Trenc and takes you through stunning salt pans, where you can spot pink flamingos. We suggest staying in Llucmajor 20km north, and then enjoying a beautiful ride through almond blossoms, on quiet country lanes, to the south coast.

Es Trenc beach is a stunning stretch of white sand and crystal-clear waters located on the southern coast of Mallorca. The beach is backed by sand dunes and pine trees and importantly, is an conservation area and so there are no hotels or built up development, which gives it a natural and unspoiled feel. The water at Es Trenc is absolutely spectacular too. It’s calm and shallow, making it perfect for swimming and paddling after a day on the bike.

Enjoy a Mallorca cycling holiday taking in the southern beaches.

The Bay

If you’re staying in the north, make sure to check out the route taking you from Pollensa past Can Picafort.

You can ride the horsehoe bay almost entirely on the cycle path hugging the bay, with stunning views of the headland at Cap Formentor. Make sure that you cycle all the way to the end of the road where stunning sculptures sit on jettys at Playa de na Patana. We would also suggest visiting the Son Real Necropolis, a 7th century archaeological site although that will require a walk or a mountain bike from Can Picafort.

Get back on the bike and head south before looping back up to the coast and visiting Cala Mesquida, Mallorca’s rugged and wild north west coastline.

Andratx To Pollensa

There is one undoubted highlight of any Mallorca coastal ride and that is a route that takes in the whole of the western coast, an absolutely incredible ride featuring some of the toughest cycling on the island. You can read all about the ride ride from Andratx to Pollensabut we want to focus on the section from Andratx to Estellencs, possibly the most stunning coastal experience on the island.

Estellencs is a picturesque coastal village located quite far south in the Tramuntana. It offers breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea, the rugged cliffs, and the lush greenery of the surrounding mountains. The route takes you along winding roads that hug the coastline, providing stunning views of the crystal-clear waters and hidden coves. As you pedal, you can feel the refreshing sea breeze on your face and the warm sun on your back, making for a truly immersive cycling experience. Estellencs also boasts several vantage points along the route where you can stop and take in the panoramic views of the coastline and the charming village below.

The Flatlands

Mallorca isn’t all about climbing. It has some of the most beautiful rural countryside in Spain. Dotted with windmills and old fincas, you can cycle through orange groves and olive groves as you ride through the centre of the island.

Cycling from Sineu, located in the center of the island, is a great way to explore the more rural and traditional side of Mallorca. The flat terrain in this area makes it perfect for those looking for an easier ride or for beginners. You can follow quiet country roads that wind through fields of almond and olive trees, charming villages, and picturesque countryside. You may encounter local farmers riding horses or driving tractors as they tend to their land. The routes from Sineu are also known for their peaceful atmosphere, allowing you to immerse yourself in the beauty of the landscape and appreciate the quietness of rural Mallorca.

Some Hidden Gems

There are a couple of hidden gems that we wold recommend to anyone cycling in Mallorca and which you can visit on most rides.

Coll De Randa

The Coll de Randa sits atop a small climb in the centre of the flatlands, providing a stunning vantage point of nearly the whole island.

The Coll de Randa climb, which you can read more about here offers a unique cycling experience in Mallorca, away from the popular routes in the Tramuntana mountains. Starting in the village of Randa, located about 30 kilometers from Palma, the climb takes you to the summit at 545 meters above sea level, where you’ll find the Santuari de Cura, the oldest Christian holy site on the island dating back to the 13th century. Although it’s not as challenging as some of the other climbs in Mallorca, with a length of less than 5 kilometers and an average gradient of 5%, the ascent still provides stunning views of the distant Tramuntana mountains. The Coll de Randa is a great addition to any route over the flatlands of the island, and can also be used as a starting climb before heading to the Tramuntana for more challenging rides.

Caves At Campanet

The often overlooked Caves of Campanet are a hidden gem for visitors to Mallorca. Located in the northeastern foothills of the Tramuntana Mountains, these caves offer a more intimate and less commercial experience than some of the other caves on the island.

The caves were discovered by a farmer in 1945 who, in his search for a source of water to irrigate his crops, stumbled upon an underground wonderland of stalactites and stalagmites. What he found was a series of rooms, including the breathtaking Palm Tree Chamber and the tranquil Lake Chamber. Despite the absence of the water source he had sought, the farmer recognized the beauty of the caves and opened them to the public in 1948. Today, visitors can explore this natural wonder and marvel at the stunning formations that have taken thousands of years to form.