Mallorca, the sun-drenched island in the Mediterranean, is a paradise for cyclists, especially those cyclists who love uphill terrain. With the Tramuntana mountains to the north of the Balearic Island, winding roads, thrilling hairpin bends, and dramatic landscapes are synonymous with Mallorca, making it a must-visit cycling holiday destination. But beyond the mountains and towards the south of the island, there are still plenty of demanding ascents that’ll have your legs burning and blood pumping.
With so many incredible climbs on the menu, it is no surprise that riders from all over the world make the pilgrimage to add their names to the Strava segments of Sa Calobra, Cap Formentor, Coll de Sóller, and more. So, if you are heading to the sunny Spanish island, Rouleur has listed the 10 climbs to tick off your list whilst you are there.
Sa Calobra / Coll de Reis
Distance: 9.44km
Average gradient: 7%
Maximum gradient: 11.8%
Summit altitude: 722m
Sa Calobra is Mallorca’s most well-known climb, with Tom Pidcock of Ineos Grenadiers currently holding the Strava KOM with a time of 22 minutes and 46 seconds and climbing extraordinaire Illi Gardener holding the QOM with 29 minutes and two seconds. Hundreds of cyclists each year make the trip to the iconic climb in the hopes of beating these two riders, but it is a very tall order.
On the northwest coast of the Balearic Island, to tackle the climb you first have to ride through the Tramuntana Mountains to reach the summit before descending down into the cove of Sa Calobra. The descent is thrilling, offering exhilarating speeds and technical corners, but you must remain focused as the roads narrow in sections and there can be traffic heading up and down. The cove has a few cafés and restaurants lining a small beach, giving you the opportunity to fresh and refuel before you have to take the same road back up the famous climb.
Sa Calobra has 26 hairpin bends (Image by Getty Images)
With a length of 9.44km and average gradient of 7%, the climb presents a formidable challenge. Thankfully, it is surrounded by stunning landscapes and the climb’s 26 switchbacks allows you to take it in in all its glory. As the summit nears, you will twist around the tie-knot, a 270 degree spiral bridge, before a final little stringer to the very top. After the summit, you are rewarded with a descending route back through the mountains to where you are staying in places like Pollença or Sóller. While Sa Calobra is a gruelling climb, it is one that provides an unforgettable experience and is a must-do ride for anyone visiting Mallorca.
Puig Major
Distance: 14.59km
Average gradient: 5.9%
Maximum gradient: 8.8%
Summit altitude: 864m
The Puig Major is the highest peak on the island with an elevation of 1,436 metres above sea level, however, the very top of the climb is a military base and the public are not allowed to reach the summit. Nevertheless, the Puig Major climb from Sóller to Tunel de Monnaber is the second most popular climb on the island. You can also ride the climb from Panta de Gorg, which is easier at 5km and 5.2%, or from the village of Fornalutx, but we suggest cycling the full length to get the ultimate experience.
What makes this climb so tough is its length at 14km, but the climb never gets too steep (until right at the end anyway) and remains at a steady 6% to the Tunnel Monnaber at 850m. The quickest time on the Strava leaderboard is 32 minutes and 26 seconds, but anything under one hour is considered an impressive effort up this long climb. At the top, you can continue on to Sa Calobra if your legs are feeling strong, or you can head back for a well-earned refuelling.
The roads are well maintained across most of the island (Image by Getty Images)
Coll de Sóller (North)
Distance: 7.35km
Average gradient: 5.7%
Maximum gradient: 12.3%
Summit altitude: 506m
Coll de Sóller, also known as the Sóller Pass, is a winning formula of hairpin bends, quiet roads and incredible views, making this climb a must-do when visiting Mallorca. The north approach starts in Sóller, a charming village in the Tramuntana mountains, and heads southwest along the Ma-11, which is a busy road that goes all the way to the city centre of Palma. However, the climb turns off before the tunnel and this is where the hairpin bends begin and the scenery comes out in all its glory. The hairpin bends – all 29 of them – continue to dizzy all the way to the top, where you can reward themselves with a cake or lunch at either Ca’n Topa or D’alt des Coll.
Not only is food rewarded at the top, but the views that unfold near the summit of the climb are breathtaking, revealing terraced hillsides with honey-hued houses contrasting against the greenery of olive groves, citrus orchards and towering pine trees, stretching for as far as the eye can see. Pro rider and local to the island, Mavi García, holds the Strava QOM with a time of 20 minutes and 26 seconds and the KOM belongs to Tim De Clercq with a breathtakingly quick 16 minutes and 35 seconds.
Coll de Femenia
Distance: 8.9km
Average gradient: 5.5%
Maximum gradient: 10.3%
Summit altitude: 532m
If you are staying in Pollença, Port de Pollença or Alcudia, the Coll de Femenia is a gateway to the tougher climbs that make up the Tramuntana mountains, like Sa Calobra or Puig Major. But just because it is a ‘warm up’ climb, doesn’t mean it is no less spectacular, and the 8.9km-long road steadily rises up unveiling more of Mallorca’s rugged mountainous terrain. Upon reaching the summit, pinpointed by a brown road sign covered in stickers, you will crest the top and enjoy a small restbite in the form of a descent, readying the legs for the meatier, more challenging climbs up ahead.
Coll de Femenia has been used in many of the island's races, including Challenge Mallorca in 2022 (Image by Getty Images)
Coll de sa Batalla
Distance: 7.9km
Average gradient: 4.9%
Maximum gradient: 8.5%
Summit altitude: 575m
North of Inca, in the Tramuntana mountains, is Coll de la Batalla. This climb doesn’t get as much recognition in comparison to climbs like Sa Calobra, but one you will most likely climb on the way to bigger climbs as it connects the flatlands in Caimari to the main road, the Ma-10. In comparison to the island’s more challenging climbs, the Coll de sa Batalla is a more relaxed effort with the average gradient sitting just under 5%, allowing you to really take in the stunning vistas as the road snakes its way up into the mountains. At the end of the climb is a petrol station on the right-hand side of the road. From here, you can decide to continue on straight to Lluc, right to Pollença, or left to the mighty Sa Calobra. Or, turn around and treat yourself to a great descent down the road you have just ridden up.
Puig de Randa
Distance: 5km
Average gradient: 6.1%
Maximum gradient: 12%
Summit altitude: 518m
Moving south of the Tramuntana mountains and heading inland, Puig de Randa, also known as the Santuari de Cura climb, is a beautiful hill climb that leads to Mollorca’s first monastery built in the 13th century. The hill on which the climb is located stands completely on its own in the region of Algaida and offers a different type of ride away from the more common routes taken in the north of Mallorca.
The climb is relatively easy in both length and steepness, so it makes for an enjoyable ride to the top. However, there are a few steep ramps at the start of the climb from the village of Randa that'll increase the heart rate. At the top, there is a weather station and the Santuario de Cura monastery with a backdrop of the whole island.
Puig de San Salvador
Distance: 4.9km
Average gradient: 6.9%
Maximum gradient: 10.2%
Summit altitude: 478m
Puig de San Salvador is another climb to one of Mallorca’s monasteries, however, this time, it is in the southeast of the island between Felanitx and Portocolom. The monastery was built in the 14th century and completely restored in the 18th, and sits proudly atop the hill, 478 metres above sea level, providing one of the most incredible views in Mallorca. The road that climbs up to the top of the hill starts on the Ma-4010, outside the town of Felanitx and is well sign posted – but as it is the only big hill in the region, the San Salvador is easy to locate.
Similar to Puig de Randa, the climb is short in distance and has a steady gradient with only a few steeper ramps in parts. Nevertheless, as you continue up the hill, switching back and forth, the views over the island are some of the best.
The Sanctuary of Sant Salvador has some of the best views of the island (Image by Getty Images)
Cap Formentor
Distance: 17.7km
Average gradient: 0.8%
Summit altitude: 225m
This technically isn’t a climb, more of a route that features climbs, but it is a very popular route and one that will still certainly test the legs. The famous lighthouse sits at the very northern tip of the island, where the Tramuntana mountains meet the Mediterranean sea. The climb, or route, starts in Port de Pollença, climbing almost immediately to the El Mirador de Sa Creueta viewpoint 3.5km from the seaside resort. From the viewpoint, you will be able to look out to the vast, blue waters and see the impressive cliffs that burn orange when the sun sets over the sea. The route then descends on some of the smoothest tarmac, passing Formentor beach and begins climbing again through a pine forest. It is an undulating and twisting route to the lighthouse, but once there, it is completely worth all the effort.
Riding the route at sunrise is a highlight for many of those who tackle Cap Formentor, not only because you will be in awe of the stunning scenery as the sun rises, but also because there is little traffic on the roads, especially to El Mirador de Sa Creueta.
Cap de Formentor is one of the island's most popular routes (Image by Getty Images)
Coll d’Honor
Distance: 6.2km
Average gradient: 4.9%
Maximum gradient: 10%
Summit altitude: 550m
Near Orient, in the Tramuntana mountains, is Coll d’Honor – a classic Mallorcan climb that snakes its way through the mountains and is surrounded by the tall pine trees. It is not too long or too steep, but is still challenging enough to get the legs working. Its location just outside of the city of Palma makes it a perfect climb to include on routes too and from some of the other climbs, and is near to Col de Sóller, making it easy to tick off two of Mallorca’s climbs in one ride. The road isn’t as smooth as you’d find on the more popular climbs, especially at the sides of the road, but nevertheless, a good climb to tick off the list.
Sobremunt
Distance: 7km
Average gradient: 8.4%
Maximum gradient: 19%
The Sobremunt is not a very well-known climb, with only around 600 people having recorded it on Strava. However, it is rated as the hardest climb on the island with very steep gradients – reaching ramps of an eye watering 19% – and averages out at nearly 9%. It is questioned whether this is actually the toughest climb on the island, even beating Sa Calobra, but we will let your legs be the judge of that. Be warned: the road surface is not very good, but it is a great climb if you want to really test how good you are at climbing.
