10 must-do
cycling climbs in Mallorca

What are Mallorca’s most famous cycling climbs?

As a cycling holiday destination, Mallorca is often at the forefront of every cyclist’s mind when it comes to riding. This Spanish island hosts a variety of cycling routes, from flat coastal rides and rolling interior rides, to more challenging mountain climbs.

You will also find some of the most famous climbs in the world in Mallorca. Many cyclists visit to take-on its bucket list climbs, or follow the professionals on their pre-season training camps.

So, if this is your first time cycling in Mallorca, here are five of the most famous climbs that every cyclist should tackle…

1. Sa Calobra (Coll dels Reis)

Vital statistics

Length	9.5 km
Height at start	65m
Height at finish	721m
Total elevation gain	670m

Where is it?

Sa Calobra enjoys an isolated location within the heart of the Escorca region of the Tramuntana mountains. This means that you will have to cycle up into the higher part of the mountains to gain access to this climb.

What makes it one of the most famous climbs in Mallorca?

This is the most famous, and one of the most challenging, climbs on the island and attracts thousands of riders each year.

The Sa Calobra climb is officially known as the Coll dels Reis and boasts over 26 twisting hairpin bends and some of the most spectacular views of the island.

Sa Calobra is a small port at sea level, so this is an out-and-back climb. This means the fantastic 9.5 kilometre descent you enjoyed initially ends up turning into a challenging climb back to the top!

Find out more

Take a look at our ride guide featuring GPX + tips.

2. Coll de Soller

Vital statistics

Length	5 km
Height at start	39m
Height at finish	503m
Total elevation gain	420m

NB: Stats based on climbing this up the south side

Where is it?

Col de Soller is found approximately 23 kilometres north of Palma and 65 kilometres southwest of Port de Pollenca. The picture postcard Col de Soller climb is within Mallorca’s Serra de Tarmuntana region in the east of the island.

What makes it one of the most famous climbs in Mallorca?

Before 1997, the only direct access between Palma and the popular town of Soller was over the Coll de Soller. Now a tunnel takes this traffic, leaving cyclists to enjoy a climb that is mostly traffic-free.

There are two sides you can climb from, one from the lush, forested and shadowed northern side from Soller town, or alternatively you can choose to cycle the sun-kissed south side from Bunyola / Palma. Either way, you will enjoy a nice steady gradient and multiple switchbacks. This is a classic ride in Mallorca that is a real crowd-pleaser!

More information

Take a look at our ride guide featuring GPX + tips.

3. Puig Major

Vital statistics

Length	14 km
Average gradient	6%
Height at start	64m
Height at finish	850m
Total elevation gained	786m

Where is it?

Puig Major is another climb located in Mallorca’s Serra de Tarmuntana region.

What makes it one of the most famous climbs in Mallorca?

Puig Major is, at 1,445 metres, the highest peak in all of the Balearic Islands. However, the highest point you can reach by road bicycle is 850 metres, found at the summit of the 14.3 kilometre climb from Soller, named Tunel de Monnaber. This climb is officially the longest climb in Mallorca with over 800 metres of elevation gain, on a wide, open road, with lovely, smooth tarmac.

As you climb, you have a clear view of the Puig Major mountain in front of you most of the way! The sense of achievement is when you reach the ‘Mirador du Tunnel’ is well worth the effort up, with a beautiful look-out spot over Soller town and the Mediterranean Sea.

4. Coll de sa Batalla

Vital statistics

Length	8 km
Average gradient	5%
Height at start	0m
Height at finish	576m
Total elevation gained	576m

Where is it?

Located in the far north of the island, starting from the village of Caimari, in the foothills of the Tramuntana range.

What makes it one of the most famous climbs in Mallorca?

Col de sa Batalla is a beautiful climb that seems to have it all: perfectly smooth tarmac with changes in scenery from lush forests, mountain rock faces and open panoramic views of the island.

Col de sa Batalla has an average gradient of 5%, which makes it an enjoyable climb that is accessible to most cyclists wanting to enter the Tramuntana mountain range. There is a cafe conveniently situated at the summit of the climb, providing extra motivation to reach the top. It’s the ideal regrouping point for you and your cycling buddies

More information

Take a look at our ride guide featuring GPX + tips.

5. Coll de Femenia

Length	19 km
Height at start	0m
Height at finish	537m
Total elevation gained	537m

Where is it?

Another climb is located in the north of Mallorca. It is particularly well-known to those who base themselves in the Port de Pollenca region as it offers access to the Tramuntana mountain range on the MA-10 towards Soller and Sa Calobra.

What makes it one of the most famous climbs in Mallorca?

Coll de Femenia is famous for its use in both the Ironman 70.3 and Mallorca312 sportive. It is also usually the first climb cycled by those staying in the north part of the island. Starting from Pollença, the Coll de Femenia climb has an undulating gradient and open views of the surrounding mountain peaks.

While riding, there are moments where you question where the finish is, as there are a few flatter sections. But don’t be fooled, keep riding until you reach the official sign of the ‘Coll de Femenia’. This summit exposes a magnificent view of Puig Major (1445 metres) and the surrounding beauty of the Tramuntana mountains.

What are your favourite cycling climbs in Mallorca?

At SunVelo we absolutely love to take cyclists to the parts of the island that are less visited and are away from the obvious places most cyclists ride.

For the cyclists that want to climb, our weekly ride schedule includes the classics of Coll dels Reis/Sa Calobra, Puig Major and Coll de sa Batalla. We also include a number of other favourites that are more off the beaten track and lesser known.

Many professional teams use the island for their winter camp training camps but even they often don’t venture to the more out of the way, scenic climbs and cycling routes that are favourites with our ride leaders.

I asked our ride leaders for their opinion of the best cycling climbs in Mallorca. In no particular order, this is what they came up with.

6. Atalaya de Albercutx

Vital statistics

Length	2.3 km
Average gradient	6%
Height at start	205m
Height at finish	353m
Total elevation gain	148m

Where is it?

Cap de Formentor is one of Mallorca’s most famous climbs. Make sure you don’t miss this diversion off the main route!

As you leave Puerto Pollensa and ride up the first section of Formentor, the crowds cycling Mallorca usually continue on to the iconic lighthouse and miss a real gem.

After the first part of the climb, where it flattens off, there’s a right turn off the main road which leads to a rough road surface and eventually a track, but it is worth the effort.

What makes it one of the best climbs in Mallorca?

The summit sits at 380 metres above sea level and forms part of the system of fortified defence towers that were built on the island between the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century. This was one of the main lookout points to ward off the threat of pirates attempting to come ashore and loot nearby villages.

There are fabulous views from the watchtower, including the Formentor headland, the islet of Colomer, the Bay of Pollença and the Sierra del Cavall Bernat.

7. Coll d’Honor

Vital statistics

Length	5.4 km
Average gradient	5.9%
Height at start	200 m
Height at finish	550 m
Total elevation gain	350 m

Where is it?

Coll d’Honor is the more difficult south-western climb up to the Orient valley. It starts after Bunyola, following the Ma-2100 to Orient. The gradient stays above 5% most of the time and reaches 10% on a few occasions. The last few hundred meters of Coll d’Honor has tight switchbacks that are tough and can really catch you unprepared, just when you are thinking that the end of the climb must be near.

What makes it one of the best climbs in Mallorca?

We love this Mallorca cycling climb because of the amazing hanging valley between the summit and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Orient village. Although this is a known cycling route in Mallorca, we include it in our list because it feels like you are being shown a secret place of hidden beauty midway along the Tramuntana mountain range.

You also get to experience one of the fastest and most enjoyable descents on the island as you drop down from Orient towards Alaro.

8. San Salvador Monastery

Vital statistics

Length	5 km
Average gradient	7%
Height at start	100 m
Height at finish	510 m
Total elevation gain	410 m

Where is it?

Located in the eastern part of Mallorca, the cycling climb to San Salvador Monastery is a rather steep climb with gradients up to 15%. It starts on the Ma-4011 road, near Felanitx, and finishes at the mountain top which thankfully has a very welcome café.

What makes it one of the best climbs in Mallorca?

Of all the monastery cycling climbs Mallorca has, San Salvador is the toughest. Although it’s known by cyclists, very often it’s not part of cyclists’ riding schedules as it takes people a long way from the more common cycling bases in the northeast of the island.

It’s a shame many people miss this ride out! It’s one of the most challenging monastery rides in Mallorca, has some great hairpin bends and the stunning views at the top make you feel like you’re on top of the world.

9. Puig de Randa – Cura monastery

Vital statistics

Length	5.5 km
Average gradient	6%
Height at start	175 m
Height at finish	534 m
Total elevation gain	359 m

Where is it?

Known by SunVelo as the Ayers Rock of Mallorca, the Puig de Randa climb sits all alone in the middle of the island and can be seen from miles away, instantly recognisable by its steep sides and long flat top.

From the lesser known south side that we love to ride, the first part of the climb is quite difficult with bend after bend and testing gradient. Then after Santuari de Nostra Senyora de Gràcia, the road merges with the route of the main climb from Randa.

What makes it one of the best climbs in Mallorca?

On a clear day this climb provides the most spectacular view to the north, of the full length of the Tramuntana range. There’s also a monastery to marvel at both for its architecture and location.

Cura Monastery is a commonly visited climb, but this climb from the south side is rarely done. It provides an interesting and challenging climb before it joins the main route to continue the climb to the summit.

10. Ermita de Betlem

Vital statistics

Length	2.5 km
Average gradient	5.7%
Height at start	210 m
Height at finish	372 m
Total elevation gain	162 m

Note: these figures are taken from the turn off from the main road to the top of the climb. GPS file here.

Where is it?

This fabulous Mallorca cycling climb begins a few kilometres north of the town of Arta, a lovely medieval town situated in the east of the island.

What makes it one of the best climbs in Mallorca?

It’s another hidden gem in an area of the island that’s rarely visited by cyclists.

This piece of road has a taste of the most beautiful places of Mallorca. It offers epic views, in a similar way to Formentor, the twisting turning roads of Sa Calobra and the quiet peace and tranquillity of the Coll d’Honor.

While climbing, the views of the local surroundings open up as the switchbacks go on. You then reach the summit with jaw dropping views, especially towards the northeast and Alcudia bay.

From here you descend to the Ermita de Betlem, a 200 year old Monastery, where you can take a short break before heading back up and over the switchbacks towards Arta once again.

A must visit if you want to try something different.

What’s so special about SunVelo cycling holidays in Mallorca?

The routes

For many people, cycling in Mallorca is an annual pilgrimage as the island offers so much varied terrain that can be covered in one day. However, most cyclists follow their usual routine of tick list routes each year, whether that be fighting the traffic on the climb from Sa Calobra, Formentor lighthouse or over Puig Major. They miss out on so much more the island has to offer.

SunVelo guided rides have, over the years, established themselves for being different.

We take you to the “must do climbs” but you will also find yourself on routes with SunVelo away from areas which can become congested with both traffic and other cyclists. Some of these such as the “Hidden Valley”, the “Llubi Loop” and the “Twisty Turny” have legendary status amongst SunVelo’s core customer base, many of whom return each year.

However, that is not to say each year a returning SunVelo customer is taken on previously guided routes; the ride leaders are constantly refreshing the route selection with new and varied road cycling choices each year. We’re always trying to mix it up, combining some of the island’s toughest climbs with easier ascents with steady gradients, always considering what’s appropriate for the particular group and making sure we get in a good smattering of panoramic views and coffee stops too!

Our team

We really believe our ride leaders are the best in the business. They’re so important to what kind of holiday you have and we go to huge lengths to make sure they’re brilliant. More on that below.

We’re ABTA bonded

As members of ABTA, we operate to the high standards of the ABTA code of conduct and are secured by an ABTA bond. This means your booking is always financially secure (more on that, here).

We also offer a flexible approach to bookings and will offer refunds should your holiday with us not be possible due to travel disruption.

Why is it worth paying for our guided cycling?

Our ride leaders will get you away from the cycling hordes

Our team knows Mallorca, and the island’s cycling routes and climbs, intimately (if you want our twopence on Mallorca’s cycling routes, read this!). We operate on the island for five months each year across winter, spring and autumn seasons.

We take particular pride in being able to take road cyclists on group rides away from the regular cycling crowds to discover and ride the “real” Mallorca.

We have extensive knowledge of the intricate network of country lanes that most cyclists visiting Mallorca never see, the best coffee stops and safe leadership of group cycling on the island.

They’re qualified

SunVelo prides itself on being one of the most qualified and experienced cycling holiday and training camp ride leader teams in the cycling sector travel industry.

For example, all ride leaders are qualified by an “official” body as either a group ride leader and/or a cycling coach.

They’re experienced

The team operate under the guidance of SunVelo’s head of cycling, Alastair Irvine, who is an ex-professional road racer, multiple Commonwealth games medallist and former Northern Irish team manager.

Team members have a wealth of individual cycling achievements across all disciplines as well as other sporting accomplishments and importantly considerable experience of riding and leading on Mallorca’s roads.

They’re first aid trained

All ride leaders maintain up-to-date first aid certificates and focus on safety being the number one priority on each and every ride.

Tell us more about what it’s like to ride with SunVelo?

Each day we run four groups that ride at different levels – the picture below explains these.

Each group rides under the guidance of their experienced ride leader as if they are riding in their own mini peloton, sharing the pace and working together as a team.

This philosophy is a winner and means everyone enjoys the camaraderie of their group, regardless of the level. It delivers a great experience and a fantastic ride each and every day.

Why are your tours not based in Port Pollensa?

When setting up SunVelo, we decided quite early on that the “Little Britain” of Puerto Pollensa probably wasn’t what we were looking for in a cycling base!

We wanted somewhere that felt more diverse, offered a greater variety of immediate access and departure points for cyclists and had that little something extra. From these hotels can also head in four or five different directions without having to ride a long distance along the same road in and out every day.

The hotels we stay at include:

• Las Gaviotas sports/spa hotel: this hotel is based Playa de Muro. This is our main base in Mallorca and the beach is just 250 metres away. Guests can also benefit from a daily cycling kit wash service available at no extra cost.
• Zafiro Tropic hotel: this hotel is based in the lovely town of Puerto Alcudia. The hotel has a number of athlete-friendly amenities, including a cycling station, gym, semi Olympic pool and spa and wellness centre. Alcudia Beach is also just 200 metres away!
• Zafiro Palace Alcudia hotel: We also use this 5 star hotel as an alternative option for bespoke groups or corporate tours.

Does SunVelo only run holidays in Mallorca?

We have very many customers that have been visiting us in Mallorca every year since we started. They like what we do and how we do it, the way we run our groups on the road, the variety of daily group riding options and our general approach to being on the bike and off it.

While many of them are happy with Mallorca each year, recently we’ve started offering trips to Switzerland. Additionally, we are excited by the ever-growing gravel scene and run supported trips on King Alfred’s Way.

Girona

We offer our tried and tested Mallorca format in Girona in May/June each year. We stay just outside Girona, in the village of Monells, taking over a lovely hotel as our base for guided rides into the tranquil countryside around Girona. It’s a beautiful base from which to ride the beautiful Costa Brava coastline.

You can find out more here.

Switzerland

When ride leader, Jonni Harris, who lives on the shore of Lake Geneva mentioned Switzerland to us a few years ago, we thought why not! From our base there you can be cycling through stunning vineyards, fields of sunflowers and following roads leading towards the Jura mountains within minutes. We offer guided group rides there in July.

You can find out more here.

Where can people get more information about SunVelo?

Come and join us on our very active Facebook and Instagram pages.

There’s tons of information about our trips on our website: https://www.sunvelo.com

Or if you’ve got questions and want to email or speak with someone directly, you can do that here: enquiries@sunvelo.com

Please tell us more about yourself

My name is David and I am the co-founder (and chief dogsbody/fixer) at SunVelo.

We’re based in the UK and currently offer cycling holidays in Mallorca and Switzerland, with the Sierra Nevada.

We first started our expert guided group riding holidays in Mallorca way back in 2012.

SunVelo is born from being passionate about cycling. We’re founded by cyclists for cyclists and we take pride in being extremely professional in how we operate. We’ve got a 70%+ return rate amongst our clients. They tell us they come back because we take them on the best cycling routes and create happy, well-matched groups of riders on the road.

What’s next?

Looking for more Spanish cycling inspiration? Don’t miss these best Vuelta climbs.