My Favourite Cycling Routes in Mallorca And How Not To Cycle Sa Calobra
Last summer, I enjoyed a series of day rides cycling around Mallorca. I was staying with friends in Binissalem for a few weeks and decided to take my bike.
Mallorca is a cyclist’s dream. Quiet roads, clean tarmac, and a café on every corner. From Binissalem, right in the island’s heart, every direction leads to good riding. I set off most mornings on my old steel Raleigh Road Ace, a metallic purple relic from 1984 that still hums like a tuned violin when you get it rolling.
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The Heart of the Island
Base yourself in Binissalem and you’re perfectly placed for long loops. The land ripples gently north toward the Serra de Tramuntana. Vineyards give way to olive groves. Stone villages flash by — Alaró, Selva, Campanet — each with its own church square and bar.
These backroads are among the best Mallorca cycling routes. You can cover half the island in a day if you start early and keep your stops short. The air smells of citrus and hot dust. The riding is pure joy.
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Heading for the Hills
One morning I turned my wheels toward Pollensa. The road tilted, and I could feel the mountain air rising to meet me. Riders passed in silence, heads down, faces set. Everyone here is chasing one climb — Sa Calobra.
Earlier that summer, I’d met Phil Griffiths, olympic cyclist and friend of Bradley Wiggins. They were neighbours in Puerto Pollensa. This chance meeting had inspired me to seek out Sa Calobra and attempt the fabled climb.
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The Story of Sa Calobra
Sa Calobra isn’t just a climb. It’s a rite of passage. The road was built in the 1930s by engineer Antonio Parietti, who believed mountain roads should flow with the land, not fight it. Fourteen kilometres, twenty-six hairpins, an average gradient of seven percent, and one perfect loop called the Tie Knot. From above, it looks like a ribbon dropped by a careless god.
It’s here that legends come to train. Team Sky, back when Bradley Wiggins was chasing the yellow jersey, made Mallorca their winter base. Wiggins and Froome rode Sa Calobra again and again in the build-up to the 2012 Tour de France. They called it their benchmark. If you could climb Sa Calobra fast, you were ready for July.
Even now, the road hums with ambition. Pros, club riders, and weekend dreamers all line up for the same test — a narrow strip of tarmac twisting from sea to sky. The descent is hypnotic. The climb is pure grit.
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How Not To Cycle Sa Calobra
I rode straight from the inland plains, skipping the ferry, thinking I’d “find a way.” I didn’t. The road down ends at the sea — and stops. There’s no other exit except the way you came. I met a dozen confused riders that day, all doing the same thing. A few of us turned back together, laughing at our poor planning and heavy legs.
Lesson learned: if you want to tick cycling Sa Calobra off your list, start at the bottom, not the top.
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The Joy of Getting Lost
But here’s the thing. The mistake made the day. I found routes that aren’t on any Strava map — deserted switchbacks, small passes with views of the whole island. That’s the beauty of cycling around Mallorca: you can’t really go wrong. Every climb has a descent. Every wrong turn finds another village, another espresso, another nod from a passing peloton.
Planning Your Ride Around Mallorca
For the perfect week on two wheels, mix the famous climbs with your own discoveries.
- Day rides from Binissalem: easy access to Selva, Campanet, and the backroads to Sineu.
- Northern routes: aim for Lluc Monastery and the climb to Coll de sa Batalla.
- Coastal classics: plan one day for Port de Sóller and the Sa Calobra loop (ferry included this time).
Mallorca rewards those who take their time. Bring a good map and a sense of humour. Lycra optional.
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Why We Climb
Sa Calobra taught me something simple. The best rides aren’t about speed or stats. They’re about the struggle. The rhythm of breath and heartbeat, the sting in the legs, the slow unfurling of a view that only effort can buy.
I didn’t conquer the climb that day. I turned back halfway, tired and sunburned, laughing at my own bad planning. But that’s the beauty of it — you can’t fake your way up a mountain. You earn every metre.
Maybe that’s why riders keep coming here. To test themselves. To feel small against the landscape. And to remember that freedom lives somewhere between exhaustion and joy.
In the end, it’s not about reaching the top. It’s about having the courage to start.
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FAQ: Cycling in Mallorca
When is the best time to go cycling around Mallorca?
Spring and autumn. April to June and September to November. The weather’s warm, the roads are quiet, and the light is golden. Summer works too, but start early. It gets hot fast.
What are the best Mallorca cycling routes for a week’s trip?
Base yourself in the centre — Binissalem, Inca, or Selva — and ride north into the Tramuntana mountains. Don’t miss Coll de sa Batalla, Puig Major, and the road to Port de Sóller. Include Sa Calobra if you can. The coast between Andratx and Valldemossa is another gem. Fancy a bike based tapas tour? Get it here!
Is Sa Calobra worth the climb?
Yes, but plan it right. You can only climb Sa Calobra from the bottom. Take the ferry from Port de Sóller to the base, then ride up. The views, the hairpins, the sense of scale — unforgettable. Book your visit to Sa Calobra with Get Your Guide
Can you cycle around Mallorca in a week?
Easily. The island’s about 300km around. You can do it in four long days or seven easy ones. Mix mountain climbs with flat coastal spins for variety. Love Velo offer some excellent Day Rides and Bike Tours
What kind of bike do you need for cycling routes in Mallorca?
Any road bike will do. The tarmac’s excellent. Bring low gears for the mountain passes. A vintage steel frame, like my old Raleigh Road Ace, handles it beautifully — just pack spare tubes and patience for the climbs. Or you can hire a brand new Pinarello and be like Brad.
Are there good places to stay for cyclists?
Yes. Many hotels and fincas cater to riders with bike storage, tools, and hearty breakfasts. Binissalem and Alcúdia are ideal bases. You’ll meet other cyclists everywhere you go.
