In our previous post we told you which were our 5 best routes in Mallorca with MTB, this time we will tell you about the 5 best ones on the road bike, where you can get to know the towns, the people and the landscapes.
On our routes we always try to avoid the busiest roads with very little traffic if this is possible. A lot of times you can see cyclists on very dangerous roads on the island because they are unaware that they have the option of taking more beautiful roads, with less cars, that are nearby.
We also want to tell you that in the Sierra de Tramuntana mountain range the descents are spectacular but you must be careful since there are wild goats roaming free and also when it has rained and you think the that the roads are dry beware because sometimes in the bends it can be slippery if there are still puddles which can cause accidents.
We want to take this opportunity that remind you that we offer you our guide service where you can enjoy these routes without problems. With the guide you will be shown the most important parts of the route, you will be helped in the long climbs and descents, as well as being recommended the best sites where you can stop for a snack or eat a typical Mallorca food.
Having said all this, here are those magnificent routes we want to tell you about.
The 5 best routes around Mallorca in roadbike
1 Sa Calobra
Distance 70 km (can be made shorter)
Elevation gain + 2900m
Difficulty: Difficult
Approximate duration 4-6 hours
Perhaps one of the best descents and ascents of the island, this 70km route will make you fall in love with Mallorca with long snake-like ascents and long descents where we can enjoy its bends. An authentic mountain route where we will pass through towns such as Soller, Fornalux and areas as beautiful as the Cuber and Gorg Blau reservoirs and sa Calobra.
The descent to Sa Calobra and the climb after have limited access due to the bus timetable, so we recommend that you keep to this schedule to enjoy both going up and down, because doing it at the same time as the buses which can be dangerous and also a little boring.
On this route you will be able to stop to eat and drink something in Soller, Fornalutx, where the beautiful streets of these villages deserve a visit too, at the beginning of Sa Calobra above just next to an aqueduct and in Sa Calobra too.
Mountain Passes:
Sa Calobra: The most emblematic ascent of the island. It has a 10-kilometre route with an average gradient of 7% and ramps in the short hairpin bends, but in some cases, they exceed 20%.
Puig Major (Sóller): The longest mountain pass on the island, with more than 14 kilometres. An essential climb for every cyclist, with a very constant slope of 6% on average
2 Formentor
Distance: 65km
Elevation gain: 1000m +
Difficulty: Moderate
Approximate duration: 3-5 hours
This route will take us to one of the most beautiful places on the island, the lighthouse of Formentor. The route isn’t very complicated since it runs through easy roads and passing through beautiful towns such as Pollença, Alcudia and Puerto Pollença. We always recommend visiting the towns, their oldest streets, getting to know their people and their traditions, etc. What better way to get to know our island!
The most difficult part of the route will be the round trip to the Lighthouse from Puerto Pollença, the road has long climbs as well as descents. It is a very good road but you have to be careful with the traffic since it is very abundant in the high season, although now they have limited it a bit, be careful with the wild goats that can cross the road or are just in the way.
During the route we can eat and drink something in Puerto Pollença, Alcudia or at the Formentor Lighthouse itself. Grab your camera and get ready for amazing views.
Mountain passes
Formentor: Just 4 kilometres to the reward of seeing the idyllic viewpoint with a little extra climb to reach the beautiful lighthouse of Formentor. And for the bravest, with the possibility of adding a few more kilometres going up to Sa Talaia d´Albercutx, where the views will leave you breathless.
3 Esporles
Distance: 70km
Elevation gain: 1400m +
Difficulty: Moderate
Approximate duration: 4-6 hours
Get to know a large part of the Sierra de Tramuntana with this fantastic route where you will discover roads with both beautiful sea and mountain landscapes, towns such as Bañalbufar, Estellencs, Andratx among others, ride through the interior of the Sierra de Tramuntana along its winding roads and its fields of mountain cultivation among centuries-old olive groves. A spectacular route where you can stop to discover the Mallorcan gastronomy in any of the towns where the route passes, as well as discover its magical streets with years and years of history.
Mountain passes
Coll de Sa Bastida, the pass on its north side has a length of 3.4 km. with an average of 5.7%.
Coll des Tords
This famous slope,on the east, has a length of 6 km. with an average of 3.3%. The elevation gain is 194 meters.
Set of small passes
Coll des Grau – Coll des Pi – Coll de Sa Gramola It is a pass of 12 kms. with an approximate average of 2%.
4 Orient
Distance: 95km
Elevation Gain: 2500m +
Difficulty: Very difficult
Approximate duration: 5-7 hours
Long but spectacular route through the interior of the Sierra de Tramuntana,its authentic roads and mountain passes where you will see the authentic Mallorcan mountain, its valleys, small mountain towns, winding roads where you can enjoy every bend.
On our route you will get to know the beautiful towns of Soller, Bunyola, Orient and Caimari, among others where the streets deserve a visit, to learn a little more about Mallorcan culture and traditions.
On this route you will pass through mythical mountain passes such as:
Coll de Soller the pass from the town of Sóller has a length of 9 kms. to 5.3%, going up a total drop of 473 meters.
Coll d’Honor the port is 7.1 km long. with an average of 5.4%. The elevation gain here is 389 meters.
Coll de Sa Batalla is 7.8 km long. with an average of 5%, with a drop of 395 meters.
Coll de Puig Major is 8.5 km long. with an average of 3.8%, climbing 326 meters.
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5 Interior of Mallorca
Distance: 75 km
Difference in altitude: 700m +
Difficulty: Moderate
Approximate duration: 4-6 hours
Through the interior of Mallorca we can choose many options, but we give you this one to help you discover the authentic interior of the island with its crops, its fields and its vineyards, as well as hidden and magical places that only few people know.
Roads with very little traffic which are narrow with continuous ups and downs, and inland towns totally different from the towns of the Sierra de Tramuntana with different traditions and a different history. A relatively flat route with no mountain passes.
Get to know the towns of Campanet, Buger, Sineu, Binissalem, Alaro among others, as well as small towns with few inhabitants where we recommend you stop to discover the authentic interior of Mallorca.
