The Roads, the Routes, the Races that Make Mallorca the #1 Cycling Destination
A Little Bit of History
Loved by drivers, motorbikers, rally car enthusiasts and car manufacturers (who use them to test drive their new cars as well as for filming adverts), Mallorca’s roads are a dream – especially for cyclists. Smooth, well-kept, hilly, windy, they have it all and for these exquisite roads we have Antonio Parietti to thank. One of the most tenacious figures in improving access to the Serra de Tramuntana, Parietti (1899-1979) was once head honcho of the Roads Department, and the Foment del Turisme, an organization dedicated to the promotion of tourism. As part of the Local Roads Plan, aimed at adapting existing roads for motor vehicles, he personally supervised two major projects in the Serra de Tramuntana: the 1925 road between Puerto Pollensa and Formentor and the 1933 road to Sa Calobra. Parietti studied the Tramuntana winds and took on the landscape, moving rock to make way for new perfectly curved roads and repurposing it for barriers and to build up areas where necessary.
Work started on the construction of the Sa Calobra road in 1928, a technical feat at the time, an altitude of over 800m had to be overcome, using 12km of winding road. The most difficult stretch was the 270º bend known as “Nus de sa Corbata”. In total, over 31,000 cubic metres of rock and earth had to be moved and the terraced walls on which the road rests were built by hand. Both roads were built for tourism purposes, not to unite existing towns and villages but to offer visitors access to two unique spots that have become famous precisely because of these roads.
Famous Climbs
Now Sa Calobra is on the hit list of many hundreds of cyclists who visit the island and is a testing ground for professional teams. An exhilarating ride, once you have reached the summit of Sa Calobra, the descent begins and a 360 degree hairpin flyover sets the tone. From there it’s downhill all the way and a series of hairpins, stacked one on top of another, unravel. It’s a white-knuckle descent with little time to enjoy the view. Each hairpin is a test of nerve and requires heavy braking, quickly followed by a short sprint to get back up to speed, and then repeat until you reach the end.
The ride to the Cap de Formentor lighthouse is up there with the Sa Calobra route and now the road is closed to cars and buses (at least in the summer months), it is even better. Take care though, the route is far from a leisurely spin. It stretches over 35km with a climb of almost 1,000m, however, it rewards cyclists with breathtaking views, remarkable feats of engineering, and impeccably smooth roads. While Sa Calobra may hold the title for Mallorca’s most renowned cycling challenge, and the ride from Andratx to Pollenca stands out for its rigour, the journey to the Mallorca lighthouse is unparalleled in its scenic beauty.
Rides on the Flat
- Port de Pollença to Pollença Town: An easy, short route (~25 km round trip) connecting the coastal area to the charming, historic town, mostly avoiding main traffic.
- Alcudia to Sa Pobla/Muro Loop: A flat 30–50 km loop riding through the heartland of Mallorca, often featuring rural scenery and windmills.
- Can Picafort to Port de Pollença Coastline: A flat road following the bay, offering beautiful coastal views, perfect for a straightforward, fast, and easy ride.
- Sa Pobla and Campanet Circuit: An 85 km loop that navigates the flat agricultural, taking in smaller, quieter inland roads.
Famous cycle races in Mallorca
Cycle the Mallorca 312 Ok Mobility
Mallorca is well known as a training paradise for cyclists and triathletes thanks to the climate, the landscape and the good secondary road network. So it’s no surprise that a mammoth cycle ride that circumnavigates the whole of the island is now part of the annual sporting calendar. Cyclists travel from all over the world including Thailand, Bahamas, Turkey, Russia, Argentina, Ukraine, Cayman Islands and USA and of the 8,000 participants, 2,000 are local to Mallorca. During the course, all 312km of it, the athletes tour through villages and up into mountains that offer incredible views.
The Mallorca 312 OK Mobility offers three different routes: the 312, 225 and 167 km in length, allowing cyclists to choose their level of challenge. WInners complete the course in just under 9 hours but they have 14 hours to finish.
Starting in Muro, the route takes in the whole of the north of the island, roads are closed and the logistical planning is second to none with food and drink stations, technical support, post race massage and so much more. If this all sounds tempting, get planning, the 8,000 registrations for the 2024 edition were sold out in 6 minutes.
Down Urban Pollensa - Something a bit Different!
It’s what the Go-Pros were made for, and it’s a mother’s worst nightmare, the Down Urban Pollensa is all about extreme cycling. Youtube is awash with crazy cyclists racing down steps, jumping lofty ramps and wheeling around vertically boarded bends. This adrenaline-packed sport now draws these cycling thrill-seekers to Pollensa. Starting at the top of the second steps, extreme mountain bikers will cut across towards Monti Sion, from there a jump takes them from the Monti Sion church steps down towards the Font de Gall and ending in the square. It’s well worth popping along to watch. Keep an eye on our events page for the next edition.
