Get To Know Mallorca on a Bike
Cycling’s become to Mallorca what skiing is to the Alps. Resorts from Playa de Muro in the north to Playa de Palma in the south are home to scores of sophisticated bike stations.
They service the thousands of cycling enthusiasts who visit the island each year.
They come in part for the warm climate and excellent road conditions. Although many of the world’s top cycling teams use Mallorca as their training ground, you don’t need to be a pro to enjoy the stunning and varied scenery.
Read on for the lowdown on why Mallorca is the number one cycling destination.
The Best Time of Year to Cycle in Mallorca
The island has two main cycling seasons. These run from late March until early June and from late September till early November. You can cycle at other times of year of course but bear in mind that the summer months are hot with early starts a must.
Winters are mild and the days are longer than in northern Europe. Although there’s a higher risk of rain, there are advantages to taking a cycling trip during the colder months when there are fewer tourists.
The island now boasts an annual world-class cycling competition open to everyone. Its name is the Mallorca 312. That’s because it covers the circumference of the island in one day- a total of 312km. There’s a shorter version for the more restrained!
The Best Places to Cycle in Mallorca
Road biking is the most popular kind of cycling in Mallorca. The island has vast, flat agricultural plains and majestic mountains wrapped around by the crystal clear, turquoise sea.
Endless, pretty country lanes with little traffic weave through the glorious landscape.
This is a place that combines mindful contemplation with physical fitness. Because of the abundance of natural parkland, it’s also a mountain biking paradise.
Some of the island’s best-known cycle routes are challenging but the views and exhilaration you’ll experience are hard to beat. Here are a few to whet your appetite:
Sa Calobra
This is the must-do route for any road biking enthusiast. It’s set against the backdrop of the towering Serra de Tramuntana mountains. This feat of road engineering winds 11km from sea level up to just over 700m.
Not for the faint-hearted, the average gradient is a little under 7 percent. At certain times of the year, it’s possible to cycle down Sa Calobra and then catch a ferry to the beautiful resort of Port de Soller.
Cap de Formentor
This route allows you to criss-cross a stunning peninsula with views of the Med on one side and the beautiful Bay of Pollensa on the other. At the far end, the reward is the sight of the famous lighthouse.
At the halfway point, you’ll find the classy Formentor beach. It’s an ideal coffee stop en route and a great place to cool off with a dip.
Alcúdia to Lluc
Like its neighbor Pollensa, medieval Alcúdia is on the list of prettiest towns in Spain. Wetlands border the two bays that it stands majestically between. The ride inland skirts the sleepy villages of Campanet, Binibona, and Caimari from where the climb begins.
It’s a fairly gentle 8km journey upwards to the monastery at Lluc. This is cycling at its best because there’s time to stop and take in the views that you’d miss in a car.
There’s a wonderful downhill stretch that seems to go on forever right down to Pollensa for a memorable finish to this extraordinary route.
Routes for Mountain Biking
As with road biking, there’s great potential across the island if you have a mountain bike. Sa Comuna near Bunyola along with the Soller valley in the west and Cala Millor on the east coast, all offer challenging mountain bike trails.
Mallorca’s capital Palma has the feel of a less manic version of Barcelona. If you’re staying there, check out the forested area of nearby Na Burguesa for some mountain biking treats.
You could also take the Palma to Soller train with its spectacular views and hire mountain bikes on arrival. You’ll be bang in the middle of the Serra de Tramuntana mountains and have an extensive choice of routes to take.
A Taste of Cycling Heaven
There are very good reasons why Mallorca has become the must-go-to destination for cyclists. It’s warm, it’s beautiful and the roads are well kept and smooth. It’s also all geared up with a wealth of top-class cycling stations to service your needs.
What are you waiting for?
We can even transport your bike to your destination should you want to bring your own.
