Mallorca has a special place in our hearts – it’s where I tried road cycling for the first time, and we haven't stopped coming back since.
On top of our personal cycling holidays, we’ve now hosted three Mallorca Moloko escapes and are starting to know the island pretty well.
Below are our five favourite routes for a cracking cycling holiday. Please note that they all start from Inca. Our preference is always to stay in the middle of the island: this way you get a bigger variety of rides available and a better experience of the authentic Mallorquin lifestyle.
1. Cap de Formentor
It might be an obvious one but “The Lighthouse Ride” deserves its fame – the views are unbeatable and the gradient very gentle, making this iconic ride accessible for all. With plenty of friendly cafes with bike hooks, a lunch stop by the beach in Port Pollenca (or in Pollenca old town if cute villages are more your thing) is a must: it can feel a bit touristy, but the sea views are pretty cool. You can even have a dip before cycling back to your base.
Top Tip: we recommend going early in the morning and avoiding weekends to beat the crowd since it can get extremely busy with cars and coaches.
Bike-Friendly Coffee Stops:
Port Pollença | La Gola, Tolos or Gran Café 1919
Pollença Old Town | any restaurant in Plaça Major
2. Sa Bataia & Sa Calobra
Sa Bataia is my absolute favourite climb: it boasts gorgeous views whilst enabling you to keep a steady pace thanks to its consistent gradients. At the top is the iconic “petrol station”, where we usually refuel on sweets and peach juice before making our way to the infamous Sa Calobra or 'Coll dels Reis' . What makes this climb so intimidating? You need to descend all the way into the port before cycling 10km back up… there is no other way apart from catching a boat.
Don’t miss the views of crystal clear water in the cove: it’s a lovely place to have a snack before attacking the climb!
You can then go back down Sa Bataia (the descent is just as incredible) or turn left before the petrol station to head down Coll de Femenia, towards Port Pollenca if you prefer doing a longer loop.
Bike-Friendly Coffee Stop:
Sa Calobra | Orange Juice Man, at the junction with the aqueduct
Caimari | Sa Tafona de Caimari
3. Orient Loop via Coll de Sóller
You will complete quite a few iconic climbs with this loop - Orient, Coll de Sóller and Puig Major (the longest climb and also the highest peak on the island) – before passing by two milky blue lakes on your way to the top of Sa Calobra (that you can choose to climb if the 2000m of elevation this ride features are not enough). The way back is, once again, down Sa Bataia because this descent is simply gold.
For lunch, Plaça de la Constitució in Soller is very quaint (although not ideal for bigger groups since there is not much space for many bikes). You could also make your way down to Port Sóller, but bear in mind that you will need to climb back up before tackling Puig Major.
Bike-Friendly Coffee Stop:
Alaro | Cycling Planet
Soller | Cafè Central
4. Villages & Monasteries
On top of enabling you to rest your legs with a relatively flat route, this ride will show you hidden architectural gems of Mallorca. The country lanes (“camis” in Mallorquin) are simply stunning and we will never get tired of the endless fields of olive trees covered with wildflowers.
We recommend taking your time to explore the gorgeous villages of Petra and Sineu. Here there are plenty of photo opportunities and cafes to enjoy. If your legs are up for it: the climb to Cura Monastery cannot be missed with dreamy switchbacks and breathtaking views of the island.
Bike-Friendly Coffee Stop:
Petra | Restaurant Ca n'Oms
Sineu | Sa Mola 13
5. Andratx Thrill
I think this Andratx loop is my absolute favourite – completing it three times, each better than the one before. The rolling hills mean the elevation is manageable, making up for the distance, but it’s all so worth it.
From the middle of the island you warm up with 30km of flat roads before climbing towards Banyalbufar. You can stop here for a coffee and snack if you wish but just after is when the show starts: a smooth winding coastal road offering the best views of Mallorca! The cherry on the cake being it’s usually quiet, with only a few cars and cyclists, something very refreshing after the crowds of Formentor and Sa Calobra.
The descent from Coll de Sa Gramola to Andratx town is pretty special, so is lunch by the harbour.
You can then start making your way back via another iconic climb, Galilea, or reduce the elevation by choosing to go via Calvi.
Bike-Friendly Coffee Stop:
Just before Coll de Sa Gramola | Restaurant Es Grau
Port Andratx | Restaurante Miramar
Galilea | Trattoria & Lounge Galilea (minimum spent of 10 euros with card)
We’re currently plotting some more stunning routes for our future Mallorca trips – we will be staying in a traditional villa at the heart of the island, near Sineu. The accommodation boasts gorgeous rooms, outstanding home-cooked food and an authentic Spanish ambience.
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