A Climb Much Harder Than Sa Calobra: Sobremunt
Rubbish surface but needs to be conquered.
Fancy Conquering the Hardest Cycle Climb in Mallorca?
Sobremunt Awaits You: The Ultimate Challenge for Cyclists.
If you’re staying in the North of Mallorca, we highly recommend taking one of the scheduled Mallorca Cycle Shuttle bike buses to Andratx. From there, you can follow the route back to Port de Pollença via the legendary Sobremunt climb.
The Sobremunt Route: Andratx to Port de Pollença via Sobremunt.
This iconic route covers 127 km with a total elevation gain of 3,400 meters, making it one of the most challenging rides in Mallorca.
Sobremunt (Es Verger): The Hardest Climb in Mallorca
Sobremunt is widely regarded as the hardest cycle climb in Mallorca. With a maximum gradient of 19% and an average gradient of 8% over the 7.5 km ascent, cyclists gain 580 meters of elevation, each one earned through sheer effort and determination.
One of the unique advantages of Sobremunt is the absence of traffic, allowing you to focus entirely on the climb without distractions. However, be aware that there are very few signposts along the route. The first time we did it, we simply followed the gradient: if the road goes up, follow it! It’s hard to spot signs through all the sweat anyway.
Two Ways to Climb Sobremunt: The Easy vs. The Tough Way
There are two main ways to approach Sobremunt, depending on your level of experience and how much of a challenge you’re seeking:
1. The Easier (and more scenic) Route – From Esporles, this approach takes you through the Es Verger vineyard. While this route is certainly beautiful, it is not the toughest climb in Mallorca and doesn’t compare to the real challenge of Sobremunt.
2. The Tougher Route (Recommended) – The real challenge is from the South, where the terrain is much rougher. The surface starts out OK, but halfway up it becomes riddled with badly repaired potholes and loose gravel. To top it off, the gradient reaches a brutal 19%, which is practically unheard of on Mallorca’s other climbs, where gradients typically range from 5% to 8%.
Our Recommended Route for Sobremunt
For the best (albeit toughest) experience, we recommend descending through the Es Verger vineyard into Esporles. While the surface isn’t perfect, it’s definitely better for descending. From there, rejoin the MA-10 coastal road back to Pollença, just before you reach Valldemossa.
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.