Mallorca Cycling

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Mallorca Cycling

Currently, each year more than 150,000 cyclists visit the island of Mallorca to explore the island by bike. There are also many professional teams that set up their training bases on the island during the winter with the idea of discovering routes for the season.

The fantastic climate that can be enjoyed for most of the year, the amount of magnificent landscapes and the many roads which are sufficiently high quality to do this sport make sure that the needs of cyclists are met at all levels. Nowadays, it is clear that the island of Mallorca is one of the most popular destinations for bicycle enthusiasts and professionals.

Whether it’s rural roads or secondary roads, beach or mountain-based roads, steep slopes that could make even Perico Delgado suffer or Mark Cavendish-style sprinting routes, here are some must-see routes if you visit the island this year.

01. Ruta de Sa Calobra.

Starting out from the port of Alcudia, we are going to cover 54 kilometres until we reach Sa Calobra. En route we will be traversing several 1,000m+ peaks and some of the last kilometres are spent descending a horseshoe-shaped slope that requires a certain know-how to avoid surprises on the way down. Part of the route includes the Tramuntana Mountains in the northwest of the island, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

02. Ruta de Puig Major.

The highest peak in the Balearic Islands - which is also located in the Sierra de Tramuntana - is the 1,445m-high Puig Major. Its altitude means that it is one of the most highly-acclaimed routes among mountain bikers. Starting out from Sóller, the route is 23 kilometres long, to which visits to Coll de Sa Bataia, Inca or Consell can be added. There are breath- taking views from the summit, and when you make it to the top, your efforts are going to be amply rewarded by the fresh breeze. Going further is going to call on your last reserves of energy, but if you are a real expert, sign up for another route that takes in Camí de Cabanao and Camí dels Reis. All those cyclists who have experienced it agree that it has everything you could wish for on a bicycle.

03. Palma - Soller - Palma.

Starting off in Palma, you take the main road to Valldemossa, passing by the University of the Balearic Islands and S’Esgleieta, before going up to Valledmossa, one of the most beautiful and most visited towns on the island. The route continues through the mountains to Deià and Llucalcari then continues through Coll de Sa Pedrissa to reach Sóller. Here it is advisable to take a break before attempting the climb to Coll de Soller with a total height of 498 metres. The views, once on the other side, are spectacular since you are able to take in the entire centre of the island with Palma in the background. Continue on the main road to return to Palma, passing through Bunyola en route.

04. Región Central.

This is the flattest part of the island and it is perfect for spending a whole day since you visit some must-see town such as Bunyola or Santa María. You can reach Orient via the Coll d’Honor climb, which will keep you on your toes with its gentle slope. Then you can go back to the starting point to go to Lloseta, Selva and Caimari. It is also perfect for doing circular routes that allow you to visit all the island. The only difficult part in this area is Coll d’Orient, where the slope averages 5.1%.