Scheduled Shuttles Private Shuttles Clothing Book Rescue

Master Cycling Guide: The Big Daddy Challenge

Bike out, bus back.

Will this be your best day on a bike?

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

Butter-smooth tarmac • 8 classified cols • Coastal cliffs • Pine forest • High mountains • Frequent café villages

📸 +

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.

View Schedule & Book →

💡 +

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

Big Daddy Challenge (8 classified cols)
📏 162 km ⛰️ 4,267 m Very Hard

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

Big Daddy Challenge (reverse)
📏 167 km ⛰️ 4,121 m Very Hard

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: