Best of the Mallorca 312 route: Andratx-Puigpunyent-Banyalbufar

Highlights

The main thing about this ride is that it is incredibly beautiful and shows you the interior of the southern Tramuntana, as well as the famous Tramuntana coastal road.

The popular coast road (Ma-10) provides vistas of soaring mountains, shimmering blue seas, terraced fields, almond trees and beautiful stone-clad villages. However, even though you’re at the quietest end of the Ma-10 coast road, it can get busy in high season.

The Es Capdella to Esporles stretch through the interior provides a nice contrast to the coast road. Not only are the views different, as it is more forested, it’s also quieter. Expect tranquil riding and shaded climbs that can provide a respite on hot days.

Route notes

1. Andratx to Galilea: 0-15 km

The route starts as it means to go on, with a 1.5km climb out of Andratx before descending down to Es Capdellà. This climb is marked as Es Capdellà on the official Mallorca 312 profile.

Here you take a well-signposted left (signed Puigpunyent 11km). It starts as a flat fast road and, after about 1 km, takes you past the only two Michelin Star restaurant on the island at the Castell Son Claret Hotel (Zaranda restaurant).

The road then climbs steadily into the treeline with relatively gentle switchbacks before finally coming to the village of Galilea after 7km.  Galilea sits around 400m above sea level and the climb itself starts at the 2km marker, so the average gradient is around 6%. This climb is forested so there is some welcome shade and through the trees you get views out to the west coast; it is quiet and beautiful.

For those interested in the Mallorca 312 profile, you’ve just conquered the Galilea climb marked at 142.5km on the route profile. (Also, if you want more info on Mallorca 312, here’s our in-depth guide).

2. Galilea to Es Grau (via Puigpunyent): 0-22.5 km

From Galilea the road then descends towards Puigpunyent at a fast -4% for 5km.

You will know you are coming in Puigpunyent when you see a wonderful-looking pink hotel with lots of green awnings called the Gran Hotel Son Net up on a knoll on the left hand side.

In Puigpunyent the road then changes from the Ma-1032 to the smaller/narrower Ma-1101 and heads north-north-east towards Esporles.

Over the next 4 km you’ll find wonderful switchbacks on forested roads gradually climbing some 250 m to Es Grau – so averaging a manageable 6-7%. Es Grau itself is merely the top of the climb and there is a house on the left hand side selling freshly squeezed orange juice just past the Es Grau sign. A welcome relief.

On the Mallorca 312 route profile, Es Grau is marked as Grau de Superna, 465m, coming 150.5km into the route. (There’s more info on Mallorca 312 in our in-depth guide).

 

3. Es Grau to Esporles turn off: 22.5-28.5 km

From Es Grau the road then descends at around -4% for the next 5 km through thick woodland with a stream occasionally on the lefthand side.

Much of this descent is straight enough to pick up serious speeds and is outrageously good fun – we spotted only two very sharp corners but do take care to read the road well.

At the T-junction at the end of this road turn left to go to pick up the Ma-10 coast road (unless you want a quick diversion for a break in Esporles, just a couple of kilometres away).

4. Esporles turn off to Andratx: 28.5-61 km

Around 1.5km after you turn left, you’re back on the Tramuntana coast road and heading back towards Andratx.

This road takes you home on the Ma-10 that runs parallel with the way you’ve just come. It’s truly spectacular. We’ve got a full write up on this coast road route here (check the ride log under section 1, Andratx to Valldemossa). Here are some photos from it to give you a flavour!

 

Café stops

The villages on this route are all small and quite spread out, so you’ll need to plan to be self-sufficient. That said, even the small villages tend to have at least one restaurant so you should be okay if you’re in season, at a suitable hour and happy to stop for a meal.

If you just want a supermarket, Andratx has lots of options at the start and and of the ride or aim for Puigpunyent or Esporles.

We enjoyed fresh orange juice at the top of the Es Grau climb, but don’t count on that being available.

Accommodation

We did this ride on a brief trip to Mallorca where we stayed just east of Palma in Can Pastilla. However, we can’t recommend the hotel we stayed in so aren’t mentioning it here!

In better news, we’ve got some ideas for where we would like to stay next time – check out our accommodation suggestions in our ultimate guide to Mallorca for cyclists and our best towns for cyclists article may also be of interest.

Here are two luxury hotels on the route:

Tips for riding the best of Mallorca 312 route

Read our tips for cycling in Mallorca before you set out. Also don’t miss our guide to Mallorca 312.

Bear in mind that in summer (particularly July and August) the coast route is likely to suffer from traffic. We haven’t visited at that time of year, but you might want to consider heading out early to try and avoid the worst of it.

It’s common to come across goats and sheep on Mallorca’s roads. Just bear this in mind as you’re burning it up downhill! Also don’t let the apparent lack of traffic inland lull you into a false sense that there is NO traffic. There are lots of villages and locals driving around the lanes, so always expect to see a car around the next bend.

And finally – it might only be 60km long, but there’s a lot of climbing on this route. Don’t underestimate it!

Found this guide useful?

• We’d love to hear from you – do comment below!
• Check out our guides to Mallorca 312 and the Andratx to Pollenca routes that we mention in this guide.
• While you’re at it, we’ve got a ton of other guides to cycling routes in Mallorca – Col de Femenia, Puig Major, Sa Batalla, Deià, Col de Sóller and Cap de Formentor just by example! Check out the related rides below or head over to our ultimate guide to cycling Mallorca which lists all our route guides as well as information on bike hire and when to go.
• And finally! Our articles on where to stay and the best cafes may also be of use!