Master Cycling Guide: The Big Daddy Challenge
Bike out, bus back.
Snapshot
Distance & climbing: Roughly 162–167 km with ~4,300 m of ascent
Cols: 8 classified
Surface: Butter-smooth tarmac
Scenery: Coastal cliffs, pine forest, high mountains
Fuel stops: Frequent café villages
Difficulty: Not for everyone – unrelenting in places
What It Is
An epic, all-day traverse of Mallorca's Serra de Tramuntana with three optional "bonus" ports for extra bite: Port des Canonge, Port de Valldemossa, and Port de Sa Calobra.
You set the pace and the stopping strategy. We get you to the start by shuttle; you ride the spine of the range; you finish with a bus back.
Expect long, steady climbs, stacked back-to-back. "Unrelenting" is the word riders use most.
Route Concept
Bike bus to the start – roll out fresh.
Ride the Tramuntana – stitch together the classic coastal road and high-mountain passes.
Optional add-ons – drop to sea level at one or more ports, then climb back out.
Bus back – legs up, stories out.
Key Stats
Full Big Daddy: ~162–167 km / ~4,300 m depending on add-ons
Shortest return-route options: From ~115 km / ~2,400 m
Views: You'll crest 8 classified cols wrapped in some of Mallorca's finest views – limestone peaks, terraced hillsides, turquoise coves. On clear days you can see across the Med toward Barcelona.
Café Strategy
If your fuel of choice is excellent coffee plus cake or tapas, you're in luck. Roughly every hour you roll through a village with solid options – Estellencs, Banyalbufar, Deià, Valldemossa, Sóller, and more.
Pro tip: If you descend to any Port, you're at sea level – the only way out is up.
Who Should Do It
This is hard – very hard.
It's a personal sportive with better scenery, better surfaces, and usually better weather than most events.
If you're not there yet, get there – the memories are worth the work.
Variations & Files
You can scale the challenge:
Shortest return-route options: From ~115 km / ~2,400 m
Full Big Daddy: ~162–167 km / ~4,300 m depending on add-ons
GPX files: Full GPX files available below.
Logistics
Bike out, bus back: Take the scheduled bike bus to the start, ride back along the Tramuntana, and meet the return bus.
Schedules: See our current scheduled bike bus times to plan your day.
Road surfaces: Predominantly smooth tarmac; watch for damp patches on shaded or coastal sections.
Peace of Mind
Mallorca Bicycle Rescue
Murphy's law happens. If bike or body breaks down:
- We take you to a local bike shop, back to your accommodation, or to your rental shop – your choice.
- Simple, fast, island-wide.
Get cover before you roll so you can ride far without second-guessing.
Schedule
Use the bike bus to Port d'Andratx from Port de Pollença/Alcúdia/Playa de Muro and from Peguera, Playa de Palma & Santa Ponsa to Port de Pollença.
Summary
Big miles, big vertical, big coastline, big mountains.
The Big Daddy Challenge is Mallorca's all-day masterpiece.
Plan your cafés, respect the climbs, carry what you need, and give yourself time.
Then go see why riders come back calling it their best day on a bike.
Finisher's Gear
Celebrate your achievement!
Get your exclusive Port d'Andratx-Port de Pollença finisher's t-shirt and show the world you conquered this epic route.
Shop Now →
Book Your Shuttle
Need a ride to start your adventure?
Browse all departure towns and book your shuttle to Port d'Andratx or Port de Pollença. We've got you covered!
View Shuttles →
North Routes – Andratx → Pollença
Coastal section + Port des Canonge + Port Valldemossa → long side Puig Major → aqueduct → Coll dels Reis → Sa Calobra (down & up) → Lluc → Pollença/Port. Very hard.
South Routes – Pollença → Andratx
As above conceptually, including the three "ports" (Canonge, Valldemossa, Sa Calobra). For strong climbers only.
Component Routes - Detailed Guides
The Big Daddy Challenge combines Mallorca’s most iconic climbs. Get detailed information about each section:
- Sa Calobra Guide - Full details on the famous 26-hairpin climb and what to expect
- Cap de Formentor Guide - Complete guide to the stunning coastal route
- Andratx to Pollença (MA-10) Guide - Everything you need to know about the 60km Tramuntana traverse

