Mallorca’s geography has a great variety of landscapes and faces, along with the perfect tarmac, mild and kind-to-cyclists weather, and its endless towns and cafés, it makes Mallorca the perfect Cycling Holiday destination. From the flat terrain of the Pla-i-Llevant (Eastern plains. Ed's Note: not flat), to undulating hills, to our higher Mountain range called the Tramuntana (obviously, World Heritage by UNESCO). You can find yourself riding within vineyards, ancient olive groves, or cruising hundreds of meters above the coast. Truth is, there are many many amazing rides on the island. Of course there are, although we're only a little biased. Our favorite ones are in the Tramuntana and are suited for both avid cyclists and our guests who are up for a challenge. Here’s our top 5, from North to South…
Cap de Formentor
This 40km ride takes you to the most Northerly point of Mallorca, called Cap de Formentor. On this road, you’ll experience it all. Climbs, descents, amazing lookouts, views over the Mediterranean, riding through a Pine forest, a tunnel carved in the rocks, beaches, and an EPIC arrival at the Formentor lighthouse. You should go super early (mind the goats on the road) and definitely walk up the lookout Mirador des Colomer. Maybe you could also check out the Formentor beach and even go for a swim before your last climb back out!
Sa Calobra
Sa Calobra is a tiny port village within the Tramuntana Mountains on the northwest coast. It’s only accessible by boat or a single long winding road, which is one of the main goals of cyclists coming to the island. Once you go down it you can only cycle back up or take the ferry! The climb is officially called Coll del Reis but normally referred to as the village’s name. The 9km of intense climbing are some of the toughest on the island, but as we’ve both heard and consider ourselves, one of the most beautiful climbs in the world. A tip; lock your bike at the bottom and walk through the tunnels to the beach Torrent de Pareis. It will amaze you for sure and few cyclists even know its there…
Orient Valley
We have this very pretty ride in our ‘backyard’, that passes through our hometown, Alaró. We call it the Orient loop as passes through the hidden Orient Valley, which is definitely one of the highlights! This ride combines both segments along the feet of the mountains and within the mountain range, so it offers a variety of undulating roads, climbs, and descents. You pass through quaint villages, like Bunyola, Alaró, and Orient, which all offer great coffee or lunch stops. You could try a paella in Dalt de Muntanya in Orient and should definitely have coffee afterwards (and maybe get some cool cycling gear) in Café and shop Cycling Planet in Alaró!
Deià, Valldemossa & Soller Valley
This ride has it all. Fun climbs and descents with many switchbacks, amazing views into the
mountains and above the coastline and quaint villages that definitely are worth a visit. It’s not a very long loop, but you can easily spend an entire day to fully enjoy it. The towns of Deià and Valldemossa are filled with history and little restaurants and a wander through the old town of Soller is also worthwhile. You could wander up the tiny streets to the church in Deià. In Valldemossa, you should try some typical Coca de Patata (sweet potato bun) after getting lost in its tiny streets. Did you know the composer Chopin lived here for a few years? You can find a small museum in the town square.
South West Coast
Alfonso calls this ride ‘THE CHERRY ON THE CAKE’ (yes, in capital letters), and for a good
reason. This 50-70km stretch along the coast takes you to the most Westerly point on the island, passing through the towns of Deià (mentioned earlier), Banyalbufar, and its dry stone wall terraces, Estellencs and its bronze donkey and ups and downs that are hundreds of meters above the coast. We recommend you stop at a lookout Torre del Verger (Tower) just outside Banyalbufar and a coffee stop in Estellencs’ restaurant Vall Hermós or Restaurant es Grau further out. Finish it off with a great lunch and dip in the Med in Sant Elm!
A little secret...
From Petra there's a great and scenic little road that links you to the North East of the island and Artá, from there you can go check out the Betlem Hermitage. It's quiet, a little out of the way and it feels remote, but with the ever-present perfect tarmac and fun up-and-down terrain wiggling your way along endless valleys of agricultural fields and almond trees... and it's one of our favorites too!