The destination for cycling enthusiasts

Heading to cycling's most popular island? Here's all you need to know…

Mallorca is pretty much the go-to destination for UK riders looking for some sun and smooth roads abroad. A known training camp base for Team Sky, Astana, Canyon-SRAM, Wiggle High5 and – whilst we’re at it – most of the pro peloton at one time or another.

Spring is the most popular time to visit, and in the months between February and April it’s near impossible to ride on the island without coming across several miniature pelotons made up of pros, amateurs or groups that are somewhere in the middle.

Why go to Mallorca?

Firstly – if you need convincing as to why you should make Mallorca your destination of choice, it’s because you’re promised a trio of good weather, mixed terrain and (largely) understanding drivers.

For Morgan and Morgan Founder Leigh Morgan, his passion for cycling was one of the biggest motivation factors when starting the business on the island.  He says:

“Mallorca has been the Mecca for cyclists for many years now and that is basically because it offers warm and predictable weather with a vast mixture of terrain. You can have a long flat day if you wanted or destroy your legs in the mountains if you’d prefer. The roads are smooth and well maintained and the locals understand that cycling is a big part of their holiday season so often are good at dealing with large groups of cyclists and tend to be a little more patient than drivers back home. My favourite part of the island is the descent off Lluc monastery down into Pollença town; a fast sweeping descent that allows you to push, ultimately go very fast with relatively minimal risk. It makes all the climbing to get there worth while!”

When to go and how to get there?

With its Mediterranean climate, Mallorca gets hot mid-summer. That means the best times to visit are spring and autumn – e.g. the times that most UK riders are chasing sun as they hold on to summer form.

In March and May, maximum temperatures vary from 17 to 22°C, then 23-19°C in October and November. December, January and February are cooler but still see highs of around 15°C – though this is variable, the island has seen snow in these months so planning your trip in the off-season proper is a bit of a risk.

Average rain days a month vary from one to seven through the year, so though you might see a couple of wet days, it shouldn’t last too long. 

If you’d like to time your visit to coincide with an event, then check out the Mallorca 312 sportive. This epic sportive is an annual affair which takes place in April each year. Initially, it circumnavigated the coastline – but the route has since been changed to allow for closed roads. You can ride 312km or 167km, and this event sees the island pretty much taken over by cyclists. 

In terms of travel, the capital Palma offers arrival by plane or sea. Flight times from the UK are usually around two and a half hours.  Ferries connect from mainland Spain (typically Barcelona but for options check out from Valencia and Denia as well ) all year round. Between April and October a ferry runs from Toulon to Alcudia just 12.5KM from Pollença. Palma is about 60km from Pollença, where a lot of rider’s base themselves and is accessed via a motorway that runs straight up the island and so travel times are around 45 minutes. When travelling in small groups, we have typically hired a car, whilst on large group excursions we’d organise a transfer with bike box trailer.

Where to stay when cycling in Mallorca?

Most riders visiting the island will have the opportunity to explore a pretty hefty percentage of its attractions during their stay. However, where you choose to base yourself will of course influence your riding itinerary.

The longest route around the entire perimeter is 312km – North to South is 75km and East to West is 100km.

The vast majority of cyclists set up camp in the Northern coastal towns of Pollença and Alcudia. The key attraction of this area is that it sits close to the edge of the Tramuntana Mountains – the highest point of which is the tip of Puig Major. Whilst evidently there’s plenty of adjacent climbs, the area also promises a the flat roads along the coast and some undulating countryside routes as well.  Our Rental Concierge can assist in bike hire, transport and any other needs you may have during your stay.

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Where to ride in Mallorca?

The key attractions in Mallorca are of course the climbs – but you might want to add in a couple of flatter days, too. Since Pollensa and Alcudia are the most popular towns for cycling bases, we’ve started most ride distances and routes from there.

RIDE 1: CAP FORMENTOR

Follow this route

This ride packs some of the best bits of Mallorcan cycling into 50km and 500m of climbing and is an 

ideal introduction. The climb out of Port is a wake-up call for legs suffering from desk-fatigue but the 

views of the Port and the forest fire plane’s drills collecting water from the bay are a welcome 

distraction. Over the top and past the tourists at the Mirador es Colomer, the descent to Formentor 

beach is truly magical - alpine hairpins on brand new tarmac in the sweet-smelling pine forest. After 

Playa de Formentor the road in the national park is spectacular, the Mediterranean views on both 

sides mean it is never boring. At the lighthouse you will congratulate yourself for taking the bike while 

weaving through rental car gridlock before a well-earned ice-cream. While this is an out and back ride 

somehow the journey home offers something different and I could ride this every day without getting 

bored. Alternatively for a shorter ride, Formentor beach is a great place to meet the family and put the 

bike back in the car.

RIDE 2: LLUC MONASTERY

Follow this route 

A first ride into the Tramuntana proper begins with a long spin on the Ma-10 to clear any lactic build

up from Formentor before the climb to the Coll de Femenia (640m) which seems a big climb

compared to my regular South Downs rides. Vineyards, goats and glimpses of the sea are the only

interruptions from the gradual climb and before you know it, the altitude gain is enough for a

spectacular vista down the valley to the Bay of Formentor. Over the col and the road undulates before

a blast down into the forest and to the monastery at Lluc whose impressive courtyard is an ideal

coffee stop. From the monastery, rather than going back over your tracks, the short climb up to the

Ma2130 is well worth the effort as the hairpin descent down to Caimari and Selva is guaranteed to put

a grin on your face before the last 20km through the dusty foothills and passing through the sleepy

town of Campanet before rolling back into Pollensa.

RIDE 3: SA CALOBRA

Follow this route

The most renowned ride in Mallorca, this is the ride you simply have to do. It is by no means as 

demanding as an alpine classic, but close to 4000m of climbing nearly 100km or so is a great 

challenge for anyone who understands the appeal of climbing on a road bike. You may be on holiday 

but this is definitely one to set an alarm clock for because having the road to yourself before the 

coach tours arrive is well worth the early start. The climb to Lluc seems like a warm up as the 

anticipation of something a bit more challenging approaches and energy conservation is essential so 

this is no time for attacking. After Lluc the road undulates but continues to climb until you reach the

final climb to the Coll dels Reis. 

After a quick photo stop, the eternal descent (682m) to the tiny port of Sa Calobra is cycling 

Disneyland -the road simply could not have been designed any better – swooping hairpins give way to 

longer straights before weaving through the “rock garden” of the bottom section. Arguably the only 

downside of the descent is the knowledge that you will shortly be turning round to come all the way 

back up. You are unlikely to go as fast as this, but watching the IG Sigma pro team will give you a 

good sense of what it is all about: 

Some will stop for a quick coffee and to dip their toes in the sea, but I have always preferred to get on 

with the ascent which starts gently enough until you get above the tree-line and the gradient starts to 

pick up. The final third is the most challenging as the hairpins become steeper and the last one loops

right back over itself for a lung-busting last push to the col. To return home the road back via Lluc 

(and the obligatory coffee and cake at the monastery) seems almost all downhill and while the descent  from the Coll de Femenia is even better having built up some confidence on Sa Calobra.

See you on the road!

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