Top Mountain Routes in Mallorca Starting From Palma

This route is one of my favourite rides if I only have a couple of hours in the morning before work and I really feel like I want to put some metres into the legs. It gets me into the mountains very quickly, and once I'm in the mountains, the roads are exceptionally quiet almost all the way back to Palma, just under two hours later. It's quite punchy, with nearly 900 metres of climbing within the 50 kilometres that make up the route. Like I said, this is a short, punchy one if you really want to build up some mountain metres through the week but don't have that much time.

We'll leave Palma and head through some of the small towns. When you get to the Son Vida area, which is close to the beginning of our first climb, just be aware that, on a weekday around school time, it can get very busy. I would avoid this drop off time by either leaving quite early like 0700 or a little later at 0900.

“Military Hill”

Once you exit the Son Vida area, we're going to make a right turn at the roundabout and begin our first climb, Col de Sa Creu. This is one of the most visited climbs by the locals here, as it's literally just outside Palma and is also reasonably challenging. It's around five kilometres long, with an average gradient of between 5 and 5.5 percent, with some ramps on the switchbacks reaching maybe 7 or 8 percent. This one can be quite a killer, not only because it's challenging in itself, but also because you're hitting it with cold legs, having only been on the bike for maybe ten minutes. That means it can sometimes feel a lot harder than it actually is.

It's a beautiful winding forestry road with almost no cars, and the only thing you'll really notice at the beginning of the climb is the military base on the left hand side. Start easy on this climb. If you push too hard at the very beginning, trust me, you'll blow up quite early and find yourself struggling for the final two or three kilometres. Pace yourself and enjoy it.

You reach the top of the climb and then begin your descent down the other side, coming down the back of Col de Sa Creu. Do be aware that some of the switchbacks can be quite slippery at certain times of the year, especially during the winter months when we can see green moss growing in the shaded areas. During the warmer months, pine needles falling from the overhanging trees can also make the switchbacks a little slippery. Take care.

Calvià

When you reach the bottom, we'll make a left turn and begin a nice, fast, twisty section that passes through the village of Calvià, with a few ups and downs along the way. After passing the horse stables, you will make a right turn and follow the road which drops you down into the main approach towards the beautiful village of Es Capdellà. The road undulates here before rising slightly for around the last two kilometres to around 2 to 3 percent before eventually arriving in Es Capdellà and making the right turn that leads onto the main climb of the day, Galilea.

Galilea

Galilea is somewhat similar to Col de Sa Creu in both distance and elevation. It's maybe just a little longer, with an average gradient sitting around 5 to 6 percent for the duration of the climb. Once again, it's another beautiful forestry climb with very little traffic. Do bear in mind that there is the village of Galilea at the top, so there are cars passing from time to time, either heading to or leaving the village. Care should always be taken.

Again, just like Col de Sa Creu, take it easy from the bottom. Especially during the warmer months, this climb can feel quite hot. Pace yourself, otherwise you'll blow up before reaching the top.

I like to think of this route as one where I can find a really nice rhythm because it's primarily climbing for most of the ride. If you try to push from the very beginning, it's either going to become an extremely challenging ride or you'll simply come apart before getting back to Palma. I prefer to pace myself, take in the views, and enjoy some really good Zone 2 climbing.

When you reach the top of Galilea, I like to roll straight over the summit and begin the descent rather than stopping and letting the legs go cold. Take real care on the descent. The road surface isn't great in places, there are some potholes and patches of gravel, and it's due to be resurfaced. Make sure you take it easy before eventually arriving in one of my favourite villages on the island, Puigpunyent.

Puigpunyent

Something worth noting is that, at the junction before we turn right and begin the road back towards Palma, there is a small water fountain next to the park bench, which is a great place to refill your bottles. If you want something more substantial, there's also the village shop on the right hand side as you arrive in Puigpunyent, where you can top up your bottles or grab anything else you need.

We then begin the long 14 kilometre road from Puigpunyent that takes you all the way to the Establiments turn off. Riding it in this direction is fantastic because it's the faster, slightly downhill section, which can see you cruising at speeds of between 40 and 50 kilometres per hour, depending on your legs, almost all the way to the Establiments turn off, which is around 10 kilometres away. Enjoy this one. Get down on the drops and, if you're riding in a group, even better. You can really push along this road.

Again, take care. It's relatively busy with traffic travelling to and from Puigpunyent, so there may be cars overtaking along the way.

Establiments

Be careful not to miss the left turn that takes you down towards Establiments. If you continue straight on, you'll also get back to Palma through the Can Valero industrial estate, but that route can get a little busy and dusty. Personally, I much prefer heading back through Establiments. There's an initial downhill section followed by one very small climb that takes you up and over through the village before joining the main road that descends all the way back into Palma.

And that's it. That's the complete route. You should be more than ready for a nice big breakfast after pushing yourself through the mountains and feel satisfied that you've got your workout done for the day.

Like I said, this is a great one for those shorter days when you've only got a couple of hours to spare but still want to push yourself and get some mountain metres into the legs. Quiet, challenging, with climbs, descents, and fast roads back into Palma, this one really has it all.

Now, this is a big day, I'm not going to lie. But who knows, you might be reading this as an experienced rider, or someone who really wants to test themselves on a big mountain stage here in Mallorca, so I'll include it.

This is something that I'll ride occasionally, maybe once every couple of months, on a day where I've got plenty of time. It's always nice to do with a friend. I personally think that when you're doing long, challenging rides like this one, regardless of your fitness level, especially during the warmer months, why not always try to go with someone? You never know what could happen. It could be anything from a mechanical to an unexpected health issue. It's always good to know that there's someone else there who's got your back, so that's something worth considering, especially on this particular route.

This route is going to take in multiple Category 3 climbs, and there will also be periods when you're up in the mountains around Escorca where phone service can be very sketchy. The elements can also be very unpredictable. You could head up into this area of the mountains under blue skies and sunshine, then all of a sudden experience tremendous winds or rain as you're heading towards the highest roads on the island. Again, it's something worth considering when deciding whether to ride solo or not.

We'll leave Palma and start heading north up the Camí de Bunyola road again. It's a little quieter, there's less traffic, and it's just that little bit more scenic. We'll take a right turn at the roundabout and head in the direction of Santa Maria. Here, the road widens a little, but there's a big shoulder on the right and some lovely smooth tarmac to enjoy.

We make a turn onto the MA 2020, which is a narrower road and one of the most cycled roads on the island. It's very common to see big groups of cyclists thundering along here, and the cars are generally very respectful and happy to wait. The left turn that takes you into the back lanes towards Alaró can sneak up quite quickly and almost appear out of nowhere, so keep a close eye on your route. Otherwise, it's very easy to overshoot it. If you get to the bridge that passes over the motorway, you'll know you've gone too far. Just turn around and head back.

Alaró

We've now got around eight kilometres of small country lanes, which are really enjoyable to ride and, again, are an incredibly common route for cyclists heading towards or leaving Alaró, arguably the most popular cycling village on the island. Eventually, you'll arrive in the village of Alaró, and here's another great opportunity to stop in at Cycling Planet for one of the best slices of cake or a fantastic pa amb oli you'll find anywhere in Mallorca.

Leaving Alaró, we're going to tackle the first real climb of the day, which is Coll de Tofla. It's not too long, just a few kilometres, and it's a good one to get the legs warmed up.

This section of road can get incredibly narrow, and occasionally a car might come tearing around one of the blind bends. Be sure to ride in single file and take good care.

The descent on the other side of Tofla is very fast and, in my opinion, even more treacherous than the climb itself. Take care of the tree roots that are pushing up sections of the road surface. In dappled sunlight, they can cause you to lose grip on the bars if you're not paying attention. It's something we always make sure to include in the briefing whenever we ride Tofla during our Velocamp Mallorca camps.

Lloseta

Passing through the town of Lloseta, the road surface isn't great, so take care. Continue through the village of Selva before approaching the bottom of the first main climb of the day, Coll de sa Batalla.

At around 7.9 kilometres long, it's one of the longer climbs on the island. What's nice about it is that it's never too brutal. The gradient is very consistent, the scenery is beautiful, and there are endless switchbacks taking you all the way to the top.

With an average gradient of somewhere between 4 and 5 percent, it's a really nice climb to either make an effort on or simply find a comfortable rhythm and chat all the way to the summit. Considering what's still in front of you today, I'd strongly suggest using this as a really good Zone 2 warm up and simply preparing the legs for the much bigger climbs that are still to come.

Upon reaching the top, you'll see probably one of the most famous Repsol garages anywhere in the world. This is probably the only petrol station that sells far more coffee and cake than it does petrol or diesel. During the high season, the place gets absolutely swamped with cyclists, as it's one of the biggest meeting points for riders coming from Pollença, Sóller, or Palma.

Again, considering what you've still got ahead of you, it might be worth making a quick stop here. Something to bear in mind, though, is that during the high season the queues can be long and service can be slow.

Escorca

Leaving the garage, we're going to continue along the undulating roads through Escorca, with some notable climbs and some really fun descents. If you're riding this during the winter months, the road surface here can become incredibly green with moss. Being high in the mountains, some sections don't see direct sunshine for months at a time, so do take care. Remember that in places the road can also be quite narrow.

During the high season, you also need to keep a close eye out for the large coaches and buses that travel along these roads. They're used to cyclists, but the roads can be tight in places.

You'll stay on this undulating section for around 10 kilometres before eventually the famous stone archway comes into view. This is where we leave the main road and begin the real highlight of today's ride.

The world famous Sa Calobra.

Sa Calobra

What many people don't realise about Sa Calobra is that it doesn't actually begin with a descent. First, we have to ride around three and a half kilometres of quite steep terrain before we reach the very top of the famous Coll dels Reis. Only then can we start the descent.

This three and a half kilometres sits at an average of between 6 and 8 percent, and with some distance and elevation already in the legs, this opening section of Sa Calobra can really sting. Again, knowing what's still in front of you, I'd recommend just taking it easy and spinning your way up to the very top of Coll dels Reis.

Now the fun can begin.

Ten kilometres of eye watering, skin tingling craziness as you start to descend this corkscrew of switchbacks. I would say this road probably sees more accidents than anywhere else on the island. People are so amped up and full of adrenaline during the descent that they start taking unnecessary risks and overestimate their own level of experience on a bike.

The switchbacks come up fast, and in some places they can be very slippery. During the peak season, there's a huge amount of traffic travelling both up and down this road, which can also mean patches of diesel, potholes, and broken sections of tarmac in places. So enjoy it, but do take care.

Remember, if you want to stop to take pictures, which most people understandably do, make sure you check behind you first. Don't just stop dead in the middle of the road because there's a good chance something might hit you from behind, most likely another cyclist. Pull well over to the right and find a safe place to stop.

Once you eventually reach the bottom, you'll be greeted by the stunning blue water of the Mediterranean, a small selection of cafés, and some fantastic photo opportunities, before the realisation suddenly hits you that you've now got to climb all the way back to the top again.

Personally, I wouldn't stay too long. Your legs have already started to cool down throughout the twenty to twenty five minute descent. I'd simply make sure my bottles were full, grab a gel, smash a Snickers, or whatever you've got in your back pocket to lighten the load for the climb, and then it's time to go.

It's decision time. Are you going to make an effort, try to beat your previous PR, or set a time you can brag about to your mates back home? Or are you going to take it easy and simply focus on getting to the top without completely blowing yourself apart?

Remember, on this route there's still plenty of climbing ahead, even after Sa Calobra is behind you. So it's completely up to you.

A really respectable time here is somewhere between 45 minutes and an hour. I'd say anything under 40 minutes would be considered an exceptional ride. Ten kilometres long at an average of around 7 percent, this climb is enough to challenge even the strongest riders.

Get your head down and enjoy it.

It really is an incredible experience.

I'm afraid, upon reaching the top, I've got a little bit of bad news for you. We're going to make a right hand turn and immediately start climbing again, and it's also reasonably steep. Around five to six kilometres here at an average of around 6 percent. It's really going to sting, especially after you've just battled your way back up Sa Calobra.

This section of road always makes me feel like I'm miles away from anywhere. Phone service comes and goes, and you really start to appreciate just how high up in the Tramuntana Mountains you are. At least as high as you can get on public roads, anyway.

Once you reach the tunnel, just past the reservoir on the left hand side, you're greeted with a fantastic reward. You're about to descend the longest road in Mallorca.

Fourteen kilometres long, it takes you from the highest roads on the island all the way down into one of the lowest points in Sóller. It's very straight in places and almost entirely downhill at around 5 percent, apart from a couple of very short sections where the road actually rises slightly. Get down in the drops and enjoy your reward after all the climbing you've just completed.

But again, please take care. During the Mallorca 312 Gran Fondo, you always see riders sitting in the rocks on this descent who, unfortunately, thought they were Tom Pidcock and came unstuck. But do allow yourself to crack a smile as you take in the valley views of Sóller to the left. It really is a fantastic descent.

I'm afraid it's back up again now, and this is one that you may have already done if you're following these routes in order. We're back down in the valley of Sóller, and there's only one way home from here, and that's up.

Coll de Sóller

We've got to tackle Coll de Sóller again. Remember that busy main road that takes you up to the tunnel before hooking the left turn and beginning those long switchbacks up and over the mountain. You might be hanging here. You've already got 100 plus kilometres in the legs and a huge amount of elevation, so maybe, again, this is one to pace. Chat to your friend, and even top off the bottles and grab a food snack at the petrol station in Sóller before beginning the ascent.

It's another long one, but you'll get there.

Once you reach the top of Coll de Sóller, it's time to celebrate. You've made it. You've completed the mountain route. The queen stage. It's all downhill from here.

You have the option to celebrate with a piece of killer lemon drizzle cake at the café on the top of Coll de Sóller, or simply roll over the top and continue the descent. It's up to you. But remember, the descent is sketchy. Gravel, potholes, and lots of switchbacks, mixed in with the occasional truck coming upwards, make Coll de Sóller definitely one to concentrate on. When you're tired like this, it's easy to have a lapse in concentration, and no one wants to come off at the end, so go slow.

Upon reaching the bottom, we're into that fast descent again past the two petrol stations on the Sóller road. Again, like I've said before, I want to avoid the rest of the Sóller road, so I'm going to hook a right at the roundabout and head towards L'Esgleieta, taking this way home. Definitely much more favourable, in my opinion.

From here, we're on the home straight through Son Espanyol and rolling back into Palma.

It's been a big day. You're probably going to be completely wiped out and spend the rest of the day laying in the air conditioning or stuffing your face with pasta and ice cream. But you can do it guilt free.

You made the queen stage.

Congratulations.

You've ticked it off the list, and it's something to brag about to your friends back home.

Who knows, maybe you might even give it another go before heading home. Maybe in the opposite direction. Just as challenging. Just as fun. But at the same time, a completely different ride.

Wild.