Cycling in Mallorca: Routes, Climbs and When to Go

Every spring, tens of thousands of cyclists fly to one island in the Mediterranean. Mallorca is the continent's default training-camp destination, and it earned that status the hard way: a mountain range that rivals any alpine playground, a flat central plain perfect for big steady miles, smooth tarmac, cheap flights and an entire tourism industry built around bikes. Whether you want one savage climb or a week of base mileage, Mallorca delivers.

The lay of the land

Mallorca splits neatly into three riding zones. The Serra de Tramuntana runs along the northwest coast and holds nearly every famous climb. The central plain (Es Pla) is flat, fast and ideal for endurance and group riding. The south and east are gently rolling with quiet roads and good café towns. Most cyclists base themselves in the northeast around Port de Pollença or Alcúdia, which puts the mountains on your doorstep and the flats at your back.

The climbs that matter

Sa Calobra

The island's signature climb and a genuine bucket-list ascent. You descend to sea level first, then climb roughly 10 km at an average of around 7% back to the Coll dels Reis. The road is a sculptural masterpiece of switchbacks and includes the famous 'tie knot' where it loops over itself. Because it's a dead-end road, you climb what you descended — there's no shortcut. Go early to beat the tour buses.

Puig Major

The longest and highest climb on the island, topping out near the road tunnel below Mallorca's highest peak. From the Sóller side it's roughly 14 km at around 6%, a steady, grinding effort that rewards pacing. It's the closest thing Mallorca has to an alpine pass and a must-do for anyone chasing climbing volume.

Coll de Sóller and the Coll de Femenia

The Coll de Sóller is a beautiful old hairpin road bypassed by a tunnel, so it's blissfully quiet — perfect for tempo work. The Coll de Femenia is a softer, scenic climb often used as a warm-up on the way to bigger efforts. Together with the Coll de sa Batalla, these form the connective tissue of most Tramuntana loops.

Best loops

• The Cap de Formentor out-and-back: A dramatic lighthouse ride along a knife-edge peninsula. Best at dawn before traffic and heat build.
• The Sa Calobra loop: Climb sa Batalla, descend toward Sa Calobra, do the climb, then return over Puig Major for a true queen-stage day.
• The flat Es Pla loop: 100+ km of rolling plain through Petra, Sineu and the wine country — ideal for steady endurance and through-and-off group riding.
• The Sóller circuit: Coll de Sóller, the valley, and a return over Puig Major or Femenia for a balanced 80–100 km day.

When to go

• February–April: Peak training-camp season. Cool to mild, green landscapes, and the island geared entirely toward cyclists. March is the classic camp month.
• May–June: Warmer and quieter than the spring rush, with long daylight — arguably the most pleasant riding of the year.
• September–October: A strong second season; warm sea, settled weather and fewer riders.
• Summer (July–August): Hot and busy with beach tourism; ride at dawn or skip it.

Logistics and where to stay

Palma de Mallorca airport is one of Europe's busiest in summer and is well connected to almost every major city, keeping flights cheap. Most cyclists stay in Port de Pollença, Alcúdia or Cala Sant Vicenç in the northeast for instant mountain access. Bike-friendly hotels are the norm — secure storage, early breakfasts and on-site rental are standard. If you prefer flat-first riding, Playa de Muro and the central towns work well too.

Mallorca's long, steady climbs make it a superb venue for structured efforts. If you're building a block around it, our guide to VO2 max intervals outdoors and where to do threshold intervals safely will help you pick the right climb for the right session.