Our amazing cycling weekend in Mallorca
Perfect to have this cycling paradise so close
You know, sometimes you just need to escape the traffic, the pollution, the rough roads, and the gloomy weather, right? Well, we decided that a cheeky weekend of cycling in the sun on smooth roads was exactly what the doctor ordered.
We flew in from London to Palma de Mallorca after work on Thursday and returned on Sunday late afternoon with tired legs and big smiles. What a place! We can’t wait for our 7-day cycling trip in May.
Riding Day 1 – Friday
Cap Formentor and the Bay of Pollenca, including Talaia d’Albercutx.
This was a stunning ride to the lighthouse at the northernmost tip of Mallorca and back.
We included the extra climb to Talaia d’Albercutx (the Pepperpot), offering breathtaking views over Formentor beach and Pollenca Bay. Then, we descended the coastal road to Alcudia, passing the military base and tackling the short but steep climb to the Monastery of La Victoria.
Afterward, we enjoyed a brilliant seafood lunch at Restaurant Cocodrilo, located in the Bonaire marina, before retracing our route through Alcudia and heading back to Port Pollensa along the scenic red cycle track by the coast.
Distance: 77 km
Elevation Gain: 1700 m
Riding Day 2 – Saturday
Advertised as “the best route on the island”, the ride back from Andratx through the mountains did not disappoint. Wow! We haven’t ridden every route in Mallorca, but this one will be hard to beat. It was amazing, tiring, exhilarating – and all on a first-class cycling surface. The best day I’ve ever had on a bike. The Cap Formentor ride was great, but this one was just absolutely brilliant.
We took the cycle shuttle to Andratx and followed the coastal road through the mountains. We included the crazy mini-Sa Calobra road from Port Valldemossa, then continued through Sóller and up Puig Major, the longest and highest climb on the island, before dropping down to Pollenca.
Distance: 127 km
Elevation Gain: 2900 m
Riding Day 3 – Sunday
Port de Pollensa Lanes Loop
We followed the ‘cami rurals’, also known as brilliant car-free lanes, out of Port de Pollensa towards Alcudia. From there, we continued on to Campanet, passing through the sleepy villages of Moscari, Selva, and finally Caimari. Unfortunately, the Sa Ruta Verde cycling café was closed, as it was early November.
Next, we rode up the beautiful, peaceful, and winding Coll de Sa Batalla, then descended the brilliant, flowing rollercoaster that is the Coll de Femenia (where enthusiasm could easily outpace skill on the fast corners!). We cruised past the old town of Pollença before making our way back into Port de Pollensa.
A lovely, peaceful, and scenic ride, mostly undulating with only the main climb of Coll de Sa Batalla really getting the lungs working.
Distance: 67 km
Elevation Gain: 1200 m
We took a mid-afternoon transfer back to Palma airport after returning our hire bikes to the shop. It was an amazing few days – tiring, but absolutely worth it. We kept ourselves well-fueled with numerous coffee and cake stops and delicious tapas along the way.
There were very few cars on most of the roads we rode, and with the near total absence of hire cars, the local drivers were incredibly considerate. Many of them seemed to understand cyclists (I’ve been told that a lot of them are cyclists themselves, which may explain it!). A big thank you for showing us respect, and I hope we did the same for you.
Brian H. November 2019 (Updated 2024)
Booking Stuff and Organisation.
Airport transfers = Mallorca Cycle Shuttle 5* rating.
Accommodation = Hotel Uyal, Port de Pollenca 5* rating.
Bike rescue = Mallorca Cycle Shuttle, luckily did not have to use it. Not able to rate it.
Andratx Shuttle = Mallorca Cycle Shuttle 5* rating.
Bike Rental = Pollensa Cycling 5* rating.
Review of services.
British Airways flights. 3* rating. OK, easier for us to get to London City Airport but I swear the space between the seats has got smaller. Just looked it up on Google and yes, they now fit more seats in than Easyjet and Ryanair in the same planes.
Mallorca Cycle Shuttle. Very efficient, friendly and very cyclist focused. Ali could not have been more helpful and gave us a great deal on the four services (airport transfers x 2; Andratx shuttle and bike rescue). They also provide customised GPX routes as well as info on useful coffee stops and eneral info for us. The drivers were friendly, the vehicles clean and on time. Mercedes Vito for the airport transfers and a Renault minibus with custom trailer for the shuttle. You can see why the company is a local success story.
Pollensa Cycling. Also efficient and friendly. Great bikes at a good price.
Hoposa Hotel Uyal. Perfect for our needs. Staff and facilities are top class. Got a great price by booking direct (thanks Ali).
Mallorca Cycle Shuttle - 300+ scheduled bike buses each year to the start of the bucket list routes; Mallorca Bicycle Rescue in case bike or body break down; 365/24/7 Private airport transfers for cyclists and now the Sa Calobra Express for PB attempts with fresh legs.