The out-and-back to Port de Valldemossa begs comparison with Sa Calobra.
It’s like Sa Calobra’s little sister.
If you’re riding the MA-10 and want to sample one of the most impressive roads in Mallorca, don’t miss this!
All metrics in this article are approximate.
Port de Valldemossa highlights
The views you get down to Valldemossa port are staggering. Switchback after switchback snake their way down the forested mountain side, all the way to the sparkling little marina by the sea.
To cap it all off, we can’t see how a coach could get down this road as it’s so narrow (and we haven’t ever come across one). Plus the restaurant at the bottom is great. What’s not to love?!
Route notes
1. The descent: to Valldemossa beach and port
As with Sa Calobra, you need to fully commit: once you’ve ridden down to Valldemossa port, there’s no alternative route back up.
But what a route it is: you work your way down the hairpins, past rocky outcrops dotted with climbers, in the shade of the mountain and fragrant forest, with tantalising snippets of bright blue azure sea through the trees.
At the bottom the road suddenly spits you out at Valldemossa beach, with a 180 degree view of the bright blue sea, and white boats protected by a mighty sea wall.
The road is very narrow, much narrower than the Sa Calobra (which might feel like a motorway in comparison!). Despite the optimistic central line for much of the route, often there is only around a metre of road either side. In some places, it’s unlikely you’d even be able to squeeze past a car.
Luckily the road gets much less traffic than Sa Calobra, but you should be prepared for vehicles: there’s a hamlet at Puerto de Valldemossa and a well-regarded restaurant (more on that below).
2. The climb: Port Valldemossa to MA-10
Looking back, you’re faced with a massively steep rockscape, and are left wondering how you’re going to get back up!
The good news is that as well as being more peaceful and off the beaten track, it’s shorter than Sa Calobra at only 6km. Like Sa Calobra, the average gradient is 6%.
Avoid the inside of the bends – some of them are ludicrously steep and the road surface is broken in places.
Café stops
We love the restaurant that overlooks Valldemossa beach just before the port. It’s the only one in the hamlet and serves a varied array of food.
We didn’t eat here but can vouch for the thick, dark espresso that can help power you back up the climb. Sit at one of the tables outside the restaurant and gaze back up at the climb you have yet to conquer!
Accommodation
This ride is on the MA-10 in northwest Mallorca. There are many ways you could incirporate it into a loop ride – for example while riding the Big Daddy Challenge from Andratx to Port Pollenca or on a loop ride from Soller.
Our best towns for cyclists article should help you narrow down the best town for you to base yourself in.
Tips
Read our tips for cycling in Mallorca before you set out.
The switchbacks on this road are carved into crumbly red rock. The road is also lined with pine trees. Watch out for broken asphalt and road debris including rocks and pine needles.
Also keep an eye out for cheeky brown goats… we had a narrow escape on one occasion!
Some of the switchbacks look like they’ve had a snow plough down them (though this seems a bit unlikely) as they have big gouges out of them. Take care.
The beach is not big and is pebbly.
Found this guide useful?
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Don’t miss our other ride guides: you can find links to all the ones on Mallorca in the related rides section above or here.
These might be of particular interest: Sa Calobra, Andratx to Port Pollenca and Deia loop.
Check out our ultimate guide to cycling Mallorca.
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Clare Dewey is a cyclist with a passion for travel. She set up epicroadrides.com in 2018 to help make it easy for cyclists to explore the world by bike. Today her mission is still inspiring cyclists to discover new places on two wheels – and doing what she can to make sure they have the best possible time while they’re there. Clare has visited 50+ destinations around the world, many of them by bike.
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Love this review – I have eaten at the Restaurant at the bottom of this climb at the Port de Vallemossa and the seafood is really good. This is a very quiet little gem and much less “discovered” compared to say Sa Callobra.
Thanks for the feedback! Good to have some firsthand comment on the food at the restaurant and totally agree with your comparison with the Sa Calobra. Happy riding!